A Westlock veteran will receive France’s highest decoration for his role in D-Day at this year’s local Remembrance Day ceremony next Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Ernie Wood has been named to the rank of Knight (Chevalier) of the National Order of the Legion of Honour (Le Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur).
The National Order of the Legion of Honour was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and is France’s highest decoration.
There are five degrees of distinction within the order: Chevalier (Knight), Officier, Commandeur, Grand Officier and Grand Croix (Grand Cross).
Foreign nationals who have served France or “the ideals it upholds” may receive a distinction from the Legion of Honour.
Wood served with the Medical Corps and the Service Corps throughout the Second World War, but he was placed with the Queen’s Own Rifles for the D-Day landing on June 6, 1944. His was the second boat to land on Juno Beach.
“It is a very high honour,” said Legion manager Avril Campbell. “Ernie’s pretty darn proud of it.”
The presentation will take place near the beginning of the Remembrance Day ceremony, which begins at 10:30 a.m. sharp at the Westlock and District Community Hall.
In other respects, the ceremony will be as it was in previous years, said Campbell, noting it will begin with the marching on the colours.
The Clyde & District Agricultural Society will be hosting the village’s Remembrance Day ceremony this year.
The ceremony begins at 10:15 a.m. at the Clyde Hall. A potluck lunch will follow the ceremony; anyone planning to attend should bring something to eat.
In most respects, the ceremony will be the same as it has been in other years. Isaac Brower-Berkhoven, who is in charge of organizing the ceremony, said they will be paying tribute to the Ottawa and Quebec soldiers killed by extremists.
Brower-Berkhoven noted he is still looking for a bugler to perform at the ceremony. Anyone who can play Taps on the bugle should contact him at 780-348-5379.
He noted he wasn’t sure if members of the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry will be at this year’s ceremony, noting that they didn’t attend the ceremony last year.
