I was honoured on Afghanistan Veterans Appreciation Day held on Saturday to be on parade as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Prince Edward branch Colour Guard, which led our local veterans, who served combat missions in Afghanistan.
Veterans and legion members marched to the cenotaph at Veterans Memorial Park for the ceremony of remembrance to welcome them home and say thank you for the work they have done.
For all the people who attended this ceremony and celebration of thanks at the park and the legion hall, the day was enjoyed by everyone.
At the park, there was a very special person in my life who was waiting for the parade. This person was Baylee, my oldest granddaughter.
She waited at the entrance of the park with her grandmother for the arrival of the colour party and veterans. What she did as the parade arrived, both shocked and surprised my wife to witness what she saw.
Baylee stood at attention and saluted. After the parade was formed at the cenotaph, she asked Baylee, “Who told you to do that?” Baylee’s reply was, “Nobody.”
For some reason she was paying attention and knew how to respect the veterans as they passed. Words cannot explain enough, as a grandfather and veteran, of how proud I was of young Baylee when I was told what happened.
Five-year old Baylee will be attending her first year at school this fall, and I know she will set a fine example for her teachers and fellow classmates.
Ervin Kobialko
Warrant Officer (Retired)
Royal Canadian Airforce