CORNER BROOK, N.L. — Maureen Simon’s devotion to her fellow Corner Brook veterans has gotten her national recognition.
Earlier this year, Simon was one of 10 recipients of the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation.
It is given in recognition of their work to improve veterans’ well being, as well as their commitment to promote remembrance within their communities.
Simon, a veteran and 25-year member of the Royal Canadian Legion, has taken it upon herself to help out second World War, Korean War and other elderly veterans in her community.
“All of them (the veterans), they’re as sweet as anything,” she told The Western Star.
She takes pride in the birthday parties she started hosting last year for these aging veterans in the community.
Simon picks up birthday cakes, sandwiches, cookies and wine and everyone, including members of the Corner Brook Royal Canadian Legion and family and friends, gets together to celebrate the lives of the veterans.
They also print out programs to showcase the veterans and their lives, with information about when they joined the army, their family background and even family photos.
Simon also helps them fill out forms to apply for benefits and visits those who might be at Western Memorial Regional Hospital or at long-term facilities and seniors’ residences across the city.
She is an active supporter of the annual poppy campaign and helps organize the cadet poppy drive in the area every fall.
To promote remembrance, she attends school assemblies and speaks to students to teach them about the sacrifices made by Canada’s veterans and the importance of Remembrance Day.
Simon has chaired many committees and has held several positions during her time with the legion. She is currently chairs the legion's sick and visiting committee.
