Branch 29 backs Homes of Heroes with $500 donation

Pictured presenting a $500 cheque on behalf of the legion to the Homes of Heroes Project are Chuck Prystupa (left) and Barry Humphrey (right). Neil Edwards (centre) accepts the donation.

Neil Edwards

Paris Independent Contributor

Paris Branch 29 of the Royal Canadian Legion is doing today what it has done for the past 100 years – supporting the community of Paris and honouring the men and women who have served our country, Canada, both in times of war and times of peace.

Last Wednesday, Branch 29 donated $500 to Homes of Heroes, in order that this community project can work beside the Legion in its goal to identify the men and women of the Paris community who have served in the Canadian military, or the military of our Allies, and then recognize their service and sacrifice. The goal of Homes of Heroes is to honour those men and women by placing a sign, in the three weeks before each Remembrance Day, in front of the houses where veterans once lived. Last year, Homes of Heroes placed approximately 40 signs in front of houses throughout Paris. Their goal this year is to place 100 signs. The generous donation of Branch 29 will help to achieve that goal.

As part of its 100th Anniversary Celebration, Paris Branch 29 is holding an Open House at the Legion from September 28th to October 4th. The event is called “Stitches, Strength and Steel, Holding the Line at Home”. The theme is to showcase what our women and children did in the daily battles at home during WWII. That is, the women from Paris who did not serve in the military at that time, whether with the Canadian Women’s Army Corps, the Women’s Division of the Royal Canadian Air Force or with the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service. And we cannot forget the Canadian Nursing Sisters who served overseas. One from Paris, Dorothy Baldwin, was recognized in the Paris Independent just last week.

For 100 years, Paris Branch 29 has been an integral part of the Paris community and should remain so for the next 100 years. It is the single institution in our country that offers constant support and recognition to the men and women who have served in the military on behalf of Canada. They deserve our respect and honour. Show it as Branch 29 celebrates its 100th Anniversary. We all need to celebrate our heroes. Paris is a home of heroes!