“I’m absolutely devastated over this”

Herb Pike, a WWII veteran who fought in Normandy as a member of the British Air Force, and who is a current member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 40 in Springdale, says he's devastated at the circle of controversy surrounding a sign that's on the property of the Legion in Springdale.    

A Legionnaire for more than 65 years, Pike says the family of Stephen Bouzane has caused a great uproar over a decision by the Springdale Branch to ask the family to move the sign to another place on the property, and he says it was never the intention of the Legion to offend anyone over the decision.

"I'm absolutely devastated over this," said Pike, who is proud to be a Legionnaire, for a time which dates back to before Newfoundland and Labrador was even a part of Canada. "I think some people are confused as to how all of this came about."

Pike says back in October, the Legion was approached by the Bouzane Family about the sign, and agreed it was a great gesture to honour their fallen loved one. He says they held a ceremony where they dedicated the sign, as it was placed in an area of the property that was well visible.

"Following that, Mr. Bouzane came to Springdale and removed the sign from where it was placed when we held the dedication ceremony, and put it out to where it is now."

Pike says that in meetings at the Legion following Mr. Bouzane doing that, it was discussed that no one seemed to have given the family permission to move the sign to its current location.

"From what I can gather, no one from the executive gave him permission to move the sign - even though it was his sign, I suppose, it's still Legion Property," explained Pike.

"My brother was killed in Germany, and he's still over there somewhere - we never ever found him. Some of us don't have the privilege of honouring our loved ones in such public ways." - Herb Pike

He says by moving the sign to where it is now, a memorial garden that the Legion had was virtually destroyed by the sign's posts, since they were position down in the turf - destroying flowers, he says, that families had planted in memory of loved ones who had also passed away.

"It's destroyed the garden, and it's impossible to maintain now, because the sign is blocking the way."

Pike says while he understands the desire of the Bouzane family to honour their loved one, he says the Royal Canadian Legion has a responsibility to honour all fallen heroes who gave their lives in battles over the years.

"My brother was killed in Germany, and he's still over there somewhere - we never ever found him," he said. "Some of us don't have the privilege of honouring our loved ones in such public ways."

For Pike, he wishes that there could have been more of a conversation and a mutual agreement between the Legion and the Bouzane family, rather than such a public sceptical.

CBC is reporting that Provincial Legion president, Aiden Crewe, has asked both the Bouzane family and the Branch 40 members to leave the sign where it is. However, the family has said no matter what the Legion does now, they're still going to remove the sign on Saturday.

For more on the situation as it develops over the next few days, see Thursday's Nor'Wester

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