Editor’s note: Earlier this year the Alexander Ross branch of the Royal Canadian Legion unveiled plans for a legacy project that would showcase area veterans.
The project revolved around the creation of two-sided banners profiling a different veteran’s picture on each side, listing their name, their area of service, and the family sponsor.
The banners will be installed 4 - 8 weeks before Remembrance Day and will be taken down shortly after November 11, each year.
In the coming weeks Yorkton This Week will be featuring many of those who will be on the banners.
Fred Bodnaryk WWII - R.C.A. – Gunner
Fred Bodnaryk was born in 1921 in the Hampton District of Saskatchewan.
Bodnaryk enlisted in the Army on Jan. 1, 1943 and reported to the Canadian Army No. 12 Clearing Depot in Regina. He travelled by train to Vancouver and on to Victoria via the Queen Mary ship to take his basic training for six months.
Bodnaryk then travelled to North Vancouver for his advanced training. Fred was with the R.C.A Heavy Artillery F Troupe 21st battery-28th regiment.
Bodnaryk was in charge of one detachment, which consisted of 12 men to one gun. He did a lot of guard duty of the Lion's Gate Bridge and similar structures.
He was drafted overseas but was not called.
After his discharge, Fred then worked at the Sawyer Massey Ammo factory in Hamilton, ON., building naval guns.
In the spring of 1945, Fred returned to the family farm.
Each banner will be double-sided, so we’re hoping to end up with at least 25 actual hanging banners this year. They’ll be displayed on Broadway, with hopes to expand to around the cenotaph next year with more applications.
Anyone interested in funding a banner to remember a veteran; applications can be picked up at the Legion offices Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 9 a.m. to noon, or found on their Facebook page. People can also email yorktonlegionbanner@gmail.com
Deadline is June 30.
