Second World War veteran and longtime Westlock resident, Ernie Wood, was presented the Paul Harris Fellow award at the Royal Canadian Legion’s Westlock branch last week.
The Paul Harris recognition is Rotary’s way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs. Wood was presented with the award Jan. 5.
Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris award winner as a tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of the foundation.
Mayor Ralph Leriger was on hand to present the award and congratulate Wood on his decades of public service and volunteerism.
“It’s wonderful to see a man like Ernie honoured,” Leriger said.
“It’s a very compelling story what a significant contribution he’s made to the freedom of us all.”
Wood was born Sept. 14, 1922 at the Misericordia Community Hospital, in Edmonton. The nonagenarian was a member of the Canadian Army Medical Corps in the Second World War.
When the war ended, Wood returned home to Westlock and began a long career filled with numerous contributions to the community.
Throughout his life, Wood has served as a special constable, volunteer firefighter, plumbing inspector, police office, public works staffer, and licensing officer for the town.
“I’ve known Ernie all my life,” Westlock Rotary Club past president Randy Wold.
“It’s fantastic to see him win this award. He’s a wonderful man and I think it’s well deserved.”
Wood said he was pleased to receive the award, and joked that he would need to “check with outfit” about where on his uniform to pin the medal.
“We’ll likely catch hell for that,” Leriger said as he pinned the medal.
Fellow Rotarian Leo Seguin also praised Wood.
“For me, Ernie is a great treasure,” Seguin said.
“When these guys came back from the war, you’d think it would have been such a heavy burden on them that they would lay down and not do much.
“The opposite happened. With Ernie, he got really engaged in the community.
“He worked with the town, but a lot of it was volunteer work. He was willing to sacrifice his life, but once he got home, he continued to put the concerns of others before his own.”
In addition to his long career with the town, Wood also ran his own machine shop in Westlock and has also been a volunteer with the Royal Canadian Legion for over 70 years.
“How many people volunteer for an organization for 70 years?” Seguin asked.
“Even though the ravages of war and time may have dampened his health, but his spirit is still fully functioning and operating at 100 per cent.”
Leriger said that Wood should be viewed by the community as an example and pointed to Wood’s selfless attitude as a reason for receiving the award. “The basic principle is to always give more than you receive,” said Leriger.
