A Wado Kai Karate instructor who regularly fills the Vimy Community Hall with students was honoured with the Vimy Lions’ Citizen of the Year award at the service club’s annual fall supper on Oct. 19.
Ian Shank was chosen as the Citizen of the Year by a secret ballot conducted by the Lions. He was not present at the fall supper to accept the trophy.
Although Shank is a member of the Lions, the Vimy Citizen of the Year award may be presented to any Vimy-area resident for their contributions to the community.
When asked why he was chosen, Lions member John Roska, who announced the winner, said, “That man has filled this community hall twice a week for the last two years.”
John noted Shank’s classes include many adults, teens and children all learning the martial art.
He recalls how he and another member came to work on the PA system at the hall one night and were surprised to see a packed house.
“There were damn near as many people in here as there (were at the Vimy Lions fall supper) tonight,” John said.
The club also chose president Henry Romanchuk as the Lion of the Year, which took the club president by surprise.
“That was unexpected,” he said.
John explained this award is also chosen by secret ballot and the winner can be any Lions member, not necessarily a president or an organizing member.
The key is that the winner does what is generally expected of a Lions member, such as volunteering and helping the community.
In addition, the Lions gave a certificate of appreciation to Morinville resident Wayne Willis for lending his expertise in constructing cenotaphs.
Willis, who had been involved in two cenotaph projects in the past, had given the Lions some direction when they started work on their own Vimy cenotaph.
The special guest speaker at this year’s fall supper was Lt.-Gov. Donald S. Ethell, who was accompanied by his wife Linda.
During her introduction of the lieutenant-governor, Lions member Jeanne Roska admitted that upon reading his biography she was “in awe of all the things this gentlemen has done.”
“We all know as Albertans that we have a lieutenant-governor, but we don’t all know just who this gentlemen is or what he has done,” she said. “I’m just amazed.”
Hailing originally from B.C., Ethell’s military career stretches 38 years, beginning with joining the Queen’s Own Rifles in 1955.
After joining the Princess Patricia Light Infantry in 1970 and being commissioned as an officer in 1972, he went on to serve in 14 different peace support operations, including the first Persian Gulf War and the Bosnian-Croatian War.
Notably, he is a member of the Order of Canada, the Alberta Order of Excellence, a Knight of Justice of the Order of St. Jerusalem and a past recipient of the Pearson Peace Medal, which was awarded by the United Nations Association in Canada.
Ethell, who was installed as the 17th Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta in 2010, said they receive invitations to many different events and try to at least reply to all of them.
‘One of things Linda and I have enjoyed about vice-regal duties is the opportunity to visit smaller communities,” he said.
Ethell mentioned that he and his wife have been to Castor, Acme, Didsbury and a host of other small communities. “And now we have been to Vimy,” he added.
“Linda and I are pleased to take part in this annual fall supper and join in celebrating the great community spirit here in Vimy,” he said.
Ethell touched on some large anniversaries that are forthcoming for Canadians, including the biggest one — the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation in 2017.
Ethell said anyone who was around during the Centennial would no doubt remember the feelings of pride and unity it inspired.
But 2017 will also mark another significant milestone — the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War.
Although the Canadian losses at Vimy Ridge were extremely high, it also resulted in a “sweeping change in how Canadians saw ourselves as Canadians.”
“As you well know, Vimy Ridge was a main event in Canadian history. And it is a battle that must be honoured by all Canadians now and forever,” he said.
Ethell said they must remember those who fell at Vimy and other battles not to glorify the loss and horror of war, but to remember the role Canadian soldiers played in helping to define who we are as a nation.
“2017 will be a big year for this community, not just because Canada is turning 150, but also because it will be a year when all Canadians mark the Battle of Vimy Ridge,” he noted.
