A Second World War veteran has received some long overdue recognition — 75 years in the making, to be exact.
Standing next to Albert Phelan’s gravestone at Beechmount Cemetery in Edmonton, his son, Brian Phelan, accepted the Canadian Efficiency Medal on his father’s behalf.
The medal is awarded for completing 12 years of service.
“Any honour he can be given now — it means a lot to me,” Phelan said following Wednesday’s ceremony.
“Brings me personally somewhat closer to my dad.”
Lance Bombadier Albert Phelan served with the Canadian Armed Forces from 1931-1945, but because of paperwork overlooked at the end of the Second World War, he never got the medal.
“Another veteran is getting some honours and recognition they deserve,” Royal Canadian Legion Gibbons Branch president Darren Longstaff said.
“Thanks to the diligent efforts of a friend of the family’s — he did a lot of research and found he was actually entitled to the medal. He dealt with Ottawa back and forth for about a year and a half.”
Family, friends and dignitaries all joined the small ceremony.
- Posters promoting ‘Steal From Loblaws Day’ are circulating. How did we get here?
- Canadian food banks are on the brink: ‘This is not a sustainable situation’
- Video shows Ontario police sharing Trudeau’s location with protester, investigation launched
- Solar eclipse eye damage: More than 160 cases reported in Ontario, Quebec
Comments