Back to SearchThe Town of Wasaga Beach and the Rotary Club of Wasaga Beach are partners on the creation of four new banners that honour local veterans.
“We’re honoured to work with the Rotary Club to recognize these individuals for their service,” Mayor Nina Bifolchi said.
Bryan Davies, speaking on behalf of the Rotary Club, said the organization salutes each of the veterans featured.
“Due to the pandemic, our club decided to replace the annual luncheon we hold for veterans by working with the town to create and hang a few street banners containing the names and photographs of local veterans. Each of these individuals made significant contributions and deserve our utmost respect,” Davies said.
The new banners are planned to be unveiled at the annual Remembrance service at town hall on Sunday, Nov. 8. The Royal Canadian Legion is asking that members of the public not attend the service due to rules regarding social gathering. The Town of Wasaga Beach will livestream the service on the Wasaga Beach Events Facebook page for people wishing to observe the ceremony virtually. Live streaming will start around 11 a.m.
The banners will hang from light standards and feature the following local veterans:
Hewitt George Quick
Hewitt Quick was the driving force behind the Remembrance service in Wasaga Beach for many years. He also coordinated the construction of the cenotaph, built in 1993 at town hall. In addition, he helped establish the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Nancy Island.
Roderick Alexander Franklin
Roderick Alexander Franklin was born and raised in the Collingwood area. He joined the Canadian Army Jan 12, 1944 and was discharged July 22, 1946. He maintained the rank of private while in the army. In 1952, he married Muriel (Benedict) Franklin as well as purchased a plot of land on 29th Street in Wasaga Beach. Here they raised their six children. Rod was one of the first licensed carpenters in Wasaga Beach and helped build a number of the original cottages you see here today.
Christian Lillington
Lt.-Col. (Ret.) Christian Lillington grew up in a small fishing community in Cape Breton and joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1993. He served in numerous positions within the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps, Canadian Army Training System, Military Personnel Generation and the Canadian Army Headquarters. He served at home and abroad, including two tours to Kandahar, Afghanistan. He retired after 26 years of service.
Herb Mueller
Herb Mueller served in a West German military unit, under the direction of the U.S. Army, from 1951 to 1952. He has been active with the Royal Canadian Legion since 2004, initially in Shelburne. Mueller joined the Stayner Branch in 2005. For a number of years he has been active with the local Wasaga Remembrance service. He was sergeant-at-arms and helped organize the annual parade. In addition, he helped organize the veterans’ dinner at the RecPlex in 2018. He joined the Collingwood Branch of the legion in March 2020.
These new banners are in addition to six banners the town created in 2018.
Those banners feature Edgar John Branch, Jack Stapleton, Rowland Brooks, Jim Lupton, Robert Foster Crozier, and Tony Beresford.
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