About 30 Canadian Armed Forces veterans gathered at The Cristina in Smiths Falls on Sept. 10 for an annual social event connected with Hero’s Ridge, a program that recognizes veterans at Ottawa Senators home games.
Hosted by Lépine Apartments, the reception brought veterans together for a buffet lunch prepared by Chef Fritz and presentations about the program.
The Smiths Falls gathering was a social event rather than a formal recognition ceremony. A similar annual gathering was held at a Lépine Apartments development in Carleton Place last year.
Speakers included France Lépine, president and master builder of Lépine Apartments; former Ottawa Senators defenceman Chris Phillips; former CTV News Ottawa broadcaster Leanne Cusack; and Father Picard, a Royal Canadian Legion chaplain and veteran.
Phillips spoke about Hero’s Ridge, which dates back to 2015 and is a partnership between Lépine Apartments and the Ottawa Senators.
At each Senators home game, a Canadian Armed Forces veteran and family members are hosted in a private 200-level suite at Canadian Tire Centre. The veteran is also recognized during the game.
Organizers told those attending Thursday’s event that 600 veterans have been honoured through Hero’s Ridge since the program began. Current information published by both the Ottawa Senators and Lépine Apartments, however, puts the number at more than 350.
The Royal Canadian Legion supports Hero’s Ridge by giving Canadian Armed Forces families an opportunity to nominate veterans for recognition at a Senators home game.
Among those attending the Smiths Falls gathering was Carleton Place veteran Mike Pasalia, who was previously honoured through Hero’s Ridge at Canadian Tire Centre. Pasalia attended Thursday’s event in support of the program.
Lépine also spoke about Engage Canada and a proposal for a voluntary, competitive and paid national service program for Canadians aged 18 to 25.
Lépine was among the signatories to a July open letter calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney and the federal government to support the creation of a national youth service program.
The Smiths Falls gathering ended on a lighter note.
Father Picard told those attending that he had rented an apartment from Lépine. When someone asked how long his lease was, the veteran and Legion chaplain paused before answering.
“For life!”
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