By Staff
March 26th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
It wasn’t a media event – it was a quiet, dignified meeting that included two federal Cabinet Ministers and the members of a war veteran’s family.
The Minister of Defence met with Jim Warford at 7 south at the Brant Hospital recently.
Bob Ankrett, Chair: Government Liaison for the Burlington Legion put together some notes and circulated them amongst friends, one of whom sent us a copy.
Jim Warford with Minister of Defence Harjit Sajjan, Minister of Democratic Institutions Karina Gould and Warford grandson James
“On Thursday March 14th I was fortunate to assist in the visit to Burlington of Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence was visiting Juno Beach D-Day veteran, Jim Warford.
“Jim was and is a very active member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 60, Burlington., including the planting of the tree at St. Luke’s Church with the Dutch Royal Family to the Vimy Oaks Ceremony or Remembrance Day and on to the Oath of Allegiance taken by new Canadians are only a few of the dozen or more events over the past two years.
“Together with other Burlington citizens Jim was scheduled to go back to Juno this June with his grandson, James, for the 75th anniversary.
“Sadly this may not be possible.
“When Minister Sajjan and Burlington Minister, Karina Gould, heard about his situation a visit with the Ministers at the hospital with Jim and 8 to 10 members of his family was set up.
Minister of Defence Medal presented to WWII veteran and Juno Beach fighter Jim Warford
“It was quite a moving scene as Defence Minister Sajjan with Karina Gould at his side spoke to Jim about his life during and after the War. Jim was presented with an award from the Canadian Government for his service.
“At this point everyone wanted a photo of the event mostly with Jim and the Minister of Defence. I asked the Ministers if they could sign the published book that had been put together by James, his grandson.
“Each Minister took their time and wrote something to Jim and his family in that book. I could not see what was written but I could only imagine after watching the faces of the family as they each read the comments.
“This wasn’t just an event of a Minister visiting a Veteran during a busy schedule. It was not rushed. It was respectful and kind. It was a veteran of Bosnia and Afghanistan knowing in his heart what this man in a hospital bed had given to his country and why he did it.
“In this modern world of instant feedback regarding bad things happening, not just in our own country but all over the world, we sometimes forget the good things we can do for each other. The people in that room on the morning of Thursday March 14th felt a little better about us all.”
The Warford family taking part in a visit from the Minister of Defence and Burlington MP Karina Gould with WWII veteran Jim Warford at the Brant Hospital
