The last Second World War veteran at the local legion in Prince Albert has died at the age of 101.
Edwin Laird enlisted in the Canadian army when he was 18 years old and fought overseas in Italy and the Netherlands during World War II.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 2 president Rick Hodgson’s father was also a veteran of the Second World War. He and his family worked alongside Laird for years.
“He was a person I could go to for questions,” said Hodgson about Laird. “He was here quite a while still when I became president and helped out. He knew everything about the legion, not just our local legion. Ed was a zone commander in the provincial legion for 20 years.”
Following the war, Laird returned to Saskatchewan and settled in Prince Albert. His wife, Geraldine, also devoted many hours to the local legion branch.
“It wasn’t too often you’d see Ed in the community without his legion suit on,” recounted Hodgson.
Hodgson says Laird was involved with the establishment of modern Canada Day celebrations and that he would volunteer at a local assisted living facility.
“They had entertainment up there, and he would take some non-alcoholic drinks so the guys could sit around and visit, and they’d take a lunch up.”
Theres is a park in Prince Albert named in Laird’s honour, and the local legion has plans to further commemorate the veteran.
“Ed’s idea of the legion was for all veterans and making sure the history and everything is not forgotten of all the things our veterans have done for our country,” said Hodgson. “I’m just going to try and do my best to keep that stuff going for Ed.”
