MELFORT — Two members of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Melfort Branch 30 have received the Meritorious Service Medal, one of the Legion’s highest honours.
In a social media post, the branch congratulated comrades Bob Ellis and John Wade on the award, which is given to members who have provided exceptional service and gone above and beyond the call of duty.
Branch president Constance Roussel told SaskToday this is believed to be the first time the medal has been awarded to members of the Melfort branch. The presentation took place in July at the legion, with past president Jim Graham officiating.
The Meritorious Service Medal is the highest award that can be granted to a Legion member by the Dominion Command, recognizing outstanding service to the organization and its aims.
Comrade Ellis has been a Legion member for nearly 34 years and was awarded a life membership in 2009. In 2005, he became the first non–Second World War veteran to serve as branch president. Ellis worked to expand membership to include associates committed to the Legion’s values, keeping the branch viable between 2010 and 2019. He also strengthened ties with provincial service officers, oversaw poppy fund use to help veterans, expanded Remembrance Day programming and increased the Legion’s presence at community events such as Canada Day.
Comrade Wade has been a member for more than 43 years, earning a life membership in 2016 for service in La Ronge and Melfort. After transferring to Melfort, he helped rebuild membership by recruiting new members and highlighting the Legion’s role in the community. Wade curated memorabilia displays, worked with local museums and chaired the host committee for the Saskatchewan Command biennial convention in 2022.
Roussel said the dedication of Ellis and Wade has helped double membership, place the branch on solid financial ground and enhance its standing in Melfort and area.
