Legion Flags to Half-Mast

In lieu of the recent horrific discoveries of unmarked graves near site of former residential schools, Thomas Irvine Dominion President of the Royal Canadian Legion has issued a 2^nd national directive, in Remembrance, asking all branches to lower flags to half-mast. Ray Deer is the President of Mohawk Legion Branch 219:

“I’m sure we’re going to find other grave sites throughout the country, so the decision was made that we would keep it down until all the grave sites are checked or all the residential schools areas are checked. And again it’s to honour all of those souls that need to be found.”

For the veteran Deer, this hits home:

“As a veteran also, I mean, a loss is a loss. I worked in a medical core and we were there to preserve lives, so when we see a life that’s lost, you know, if you know how medics are or even physicians, it gets to us, it gets to our souls. So, we need to do something as a veteran organization to remember all of those individuals that were lost and just like the military we’re not going to leave them behind, we’re going to find them.”

Irvine saying that, “out of respect for all these souls, something had to be done and the Legion joins in spirit with First Nations comrades to help them through this devastating time.”