Barrhaven legionnaires inducted into Order of St. George
Photo by Steph Willems
All Knights In The Order Of St George
Four members of the Barrhaven Legion executive are now Knights of the Order of St George following a ceremony last week inducting them into the Canadian Priory of the prestigious Order. Above (L to R) Comrades Ernie Hughes, Gus Este, Ray Desjardins & Dave Cole. Not shown in photo is Joe Varner, KCStG, another Branch 641 member, who preceded his Comrades into the Order of St George and was their sponsor.
Photo by Steph Willems
Comrade Dave Cole in the official garb of the members of the Order of St George
Steph Willems, Nepean Barrhaven EMC
EMC News - Four Barrhaven Legion executives recently had the distinction of
being named Knights of the prestigious Order of St. George, the Canadian Priory,
in recognition of their service to the community.
Branch president Gus Este, past president Ernie Hughes, chaplain and founding
president Ray Desjardins, and chairman Dave Cole were recently inducted into the
Order, which was established in Canada in 2003 and inspired by the Knighthood of
St. George founded in Hungary in 1326. It became independent of European
governance in 2008.
The modern-day Order is a secular organization established to help the needy and
uphold the values of courage, generosity, honesty, loyalty and courtesy.
The investiture took place at St. Bartholemew's Church in Ottawa and was
attended by Patron of the Order General (Ret.) Rick Hillier and 23 inductees -
including Major-General Lewis Mackenzie, who was immediately promoted from
knight to serve as Vice Patron of the Order.
The four legionnaires were sponsored by Joe Varner, a historian, Legion member,
and husband of Nepean-Carleton MPP Lisa MacLeod.
"Your fields (of work) doesn't have to be military - it can be commerce, art,
charity or community service," explained Desjardins.
"The Order is set up so affluence (or influence) is not a factor. You can see
that in the roaster of people - we have a master sergeant from Wisconsin."
The Grand Priory of Canada oversees four geographical areas of North America -
the western, central and eastern areas of Canada and the United States.
At this time, there are less than 200 members, making the induction of the four
legionnaires a prestigious honour for both the men and the branch.
During their life's work, including their deep involvement in the Legion, Este,
Hughes, Cole and Desjardins exhibited the desired qualities necessary for entry
into the Order.
"It has to be a selfless, voluntary contribution," said Desjardins.
"We're each doing that in some way - I think that's why we were asked."
Membership of the Order grows slowly - quite the opposite of the Legion branch's
membership - with Este saying another investiture ceremony won't occur in Ottawa
for two years.
That said, the four new members expect the relatively-new Order to gain
prominence as it gains members and continues to involve itself with charity.
The Order's Canadian Corporation Charitable Foundation benefits the vulnerable
in society, with a focus on Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support
Services - a body that includes the Military Family Resource Centres and the
Military Families Fund (the latter fund created by Hillier in 2007).
Gareth Green, Grand Prior of the Order of St. George, told the EMC they have
raised and donated $10,000 a year just from their membership. Recently, money
has been donated to improve the lives of residents at Sunnybrook Veterans
Hospital in Toronto, while the Sea, Land and Air Cadets continue to receive
financial support.
The Order's profile will be raised further once their activities begin being
published in the Canadian military magazine The Maple Leaf - an encouraging
development, according to Green.
"We're really pleased at that because our main aim is to support our troops."
swillems@theemc.ca