By Joan Janzen
KINDERSLEY – Legion Chaplain Scott Holloway made a special presentation to David and Carol Burke at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Kindersley Legion Branch 57. Their picture was added to the Wall of Honour for those who have provided significant service to the Kindersley branch.
Carol and David Burke’s picture has been added to the Wall of Honour at the Kindersley Legion. Chaplain Scott Holloway (right) made the presentation to the couple on Oct. 30 at the Legion’s 100th anniversary celebration. PHOTO BY MELEAH HOLLOWAY
The honour was well deserved, as they’ve been contributing to the Legion for 47 years. “It’s kind of neat getting on the wall on the 100th anniversary,” David said.
“Everyone was so glad to see us,” Carol said. “That’s what I miss, the smiles from people you know back home in Kindersley and seeing those faces that I hadn’t seen for a year or more. That’s what I miss about Kindersley.”
David and Carol now live in Melfort, where they remain active in their community as Legion members.
Carol started out in the Legion auxiliary in Kindersley until it folded, and then joined the Legion side of the organization. David has been a member since 1983 and joined because his dad served in the Second World War. Both David and Carol said the most rewarding part of belonging to the Legion is being able to provide community service.
“We can’t move forward without learning from the past,” David observed.
“We’re still involved in the Legion track and field in Kindersley. It’s my eighth year chaperoning,” Carol said. “David was national director for the athletes this past year. We are both involved in helping our youth.”
David recalled stepping in as chairman of the building committee in Kindersley. “Back in 2014, it took us two years from the time we started raising funds to the time we reopened the hall in 2016,” he said. They started by raising funds to repair the roof, and followed by giving the exterior a facelift.
“When we were in the hall Friday night, I looked around and thought, ‘Wow!’” David said. “There’s more people deserving than me.” Some of the names on the wall belong to longtime members who started the branch and kept it going.
Other memorable moments for the couple included the Queen’s visit in 1984, when David was president of the Kindersley branch.
“Remembrance Day ceremonies are very near and dear to our hearts,” Carol added. They continue to help with poppy drives and fundraisers. “In Melfort, they have a lot of members and they do a lot of fundraising,” she said.
Carol and David are passionate about community service, but admit getting younger generations involved is a challenge.
“They’re too busy with their families. People have to raise their family, which is important, but they also have to help and serve their communities,” Carol said. “We can’t expect the local government to supply everything.”
David agreed. “If we didn’t volunteer, we wouldn’t have anything. That’s what keeps the community going.”
He commended the community of Kindersley, town council and the R.M. for always rallying behind the Legion. He said the Legion always needs members, but it has kept moving forward thanks to the support of the community.
“Kindersley was always good to us,” David and Carol agreed.