Published: October 17, 2022 @ 12:00 noon
On behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion Bayview Branch 22
The Royal Canadian Legion Bayview Branch 22 has installed Veterans banners throughout Grand Bay-Westfield on the light poles along River Valley Drive and Nerepis Road.
The Legion has also installed two (2) Veterans banners at the Grand Bay-Westfield Veterans Peace Park.
“In addition to the Veterans banners throughout the community, the Legion will feature two (2) different Veterans annually on the light poles located at the Veterans Peace Park. The banners pay tribute to Veterans and are displayed proudly in our community.” – Cory Ryan, Royal Canadian Legion Bayview Branch 22 Vice President.
The two (2) Veterans featured for the 2022 banners at the Veterans Peace Park are:
KIETH SEAN JACQUARD, CD (Provided by family member)
Today on this day of remembrance I would like to take an opportunity to speak about a special Grand Bay – Westfield veteran, and friend, that was called home earlier this year – Retired Corporal Sean Jacquard. Sean was a man who dedicated his life to country, community, and family.
Military service was something very meaningful to Sean, in fact, he jumped at the opportunity to join cadets at the young age of 15. Three short years later, in 1985, Sean was able to enlist in the Canadian military as an army reservist. Sean later switched to the regular forces when he became a member of the regular air force – joining the 31 Battalion Transport MSCops. Sean served 17 years in the Canadian Forces in the Artillery an MSE Operator. He deployed in 1999 to Bosnia as part of NATO’s Stabilization Force.
As a young service man from East Saint John, he had a great sense of humor, as most East Saint Johner’s do, and could always make his fellow service men and women laugh – even during very stressful situations while on tour. Sean had the privilege to be stationed in Gagetown, very close to his hometown.
In 2002 Sean met the love of his life, Christy. After three years of beautiful courtship Christy and Sean were married and five years later, in 2010, they welcomed their treasured son, Kyle. Sean retired from service in 2004 and went on to have a meaningful second career with Irving Oil. In 2021, Sean and his family had the opportunity of a lifetime to visit Juno Beach to pay tribute to the soldiers who went ashore on D-Day. Today we remember this extraordinary man.
ALLAN ROBERTSON THOMPSON
Flight Mechanic Thompson, originally from Bermuda, joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1948 to 1953. He served on several ships as a mechanic apprentice. After leaving the Navy he moved to NB and worked for Patstone Truck Body’s. Al is well known in Grand Bay-Westfield and surrounding areas for his volunteer service. He has been a volunteer fire fighter, baseball, hockey and instrumental in getting an ambulance in Grand Bay years ago. Al has been a Scout leader for many years and a role model for kids of several generations.
To learn more about the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield Veterans Peace Park, visit here.
