Following the Wreaths Across America 2025 event at the San Francisco National Cemetery, the Branch gathered for our holiday luncheon  and presentation of awards and longevity pins.  While several members were unable to attend, the branch presented longevity pins to:

• John Abraham – Ordinary 25 Years
• Kristin Anderson – Associate 10 Years
• John Davis – Ordinary 35 Years
• Gerald Delisle – Ordinary 30 Years
• Phyllis Edmondson – Associate 15 Years
• Ruth Robles – Associate 20 Years

Each year Branch 25 considers whether there is any member worthy of the Legionnaire of the Year Award.  The award is described as:

The Legionnaire of the Year Award is another award available to recognize the hard work of many volunteers within our Branches. Legion Branches have dedicated members who volunteer countless hours each year towards their success. Branches are encouraged to choose one of their members each year from amongst these valued volunteers to recognize them as ‘Legionnaire of the Year.’

This year’s Legionnaire of the Year Award was Comrade Margaret Krieger.  In the nomination, it stated that traditionally the award goes to someone based on activities over the past 12 months.  However, in Comrade Krieger’s case the award is in recognition of her annual contribution to the Branch for at least the past decade as the Treasurer and a regular presenter in our services (often stepping in to fill duties for those who are unable to attend).  Unfortunately, Comrade Krieger was ill and not able to attend.

Finally, each year Branch 25 also considers whether there is any member worthy of the Branch Service Medal.  The award is described as:

This medal is awarded to members of the Branch to recognize the significant work accomplished by their many members, outside of, or prior to their acceptance to leadership positions. The qualification for the awarding of the Service Medal is to be a significant level of service provided by the member to their Branch. Although this medal is intended to be awarded to members who have not been members of the Branch, it may also be awarded in addition to any awards/medals previously received by the member for exemplary service over and above any responsibilities required for any offices held.

This year the Branch put forward Comrade Lisa Barbour for the Branch Service Medal.  Comrade Barbour has been around the Branch since 2016, attending almost every single event we have hosted as a Branch over the past nine years (although she only became a member of in 2022). During her time around the Branch, Comrade Barbour has provided countless volunteer hours helping to stuff the newsletters into envelopes each month, being the videographer for each of our services, and the unofficial photographer for all of our events.

Below is Comrade Barbour with her Branch Service Medal.

Born in Lowestoft, England, to Donald and Olive Bayfield, Joan came of age shaped by the turbulent times of World War II. True to her courageous spirit, she enlisted in the army and was deployed into communications. All part of an experience that helped spark the perseverance and tenacity that would guide her throughout life.

In 1948 came a new journey, moving to Buenos Aries, Argentina with her husband and baby. Those early years were a test of resourcefulness, yet they met every challenge with determination. Joan herself built a life through hard work, becoming a skilled housewife and teacher, among other various adapted roles to support the growing family.

In 1964, sights were finally set upon a long-held dream—moving to the United States. She jumped on a ship with her family, arriving in Hayward, California to establish a home. With an independent spirit and remarkable frugality, she grittily paved the way for their future. Though life in the U.S. was not without its uncertainties, Joan knew she had found the place where she and her children could grow on better paths; towards their American dream.

Joan carried herself with elegance, and possessed an undeniable spirit. She was articulate, and did not hesitate to stand up for what she believed in — and always in the most polite way possible. Her presence left a lasting impact on those who knew her, and her wisdom, warmth, and joy for life (not to mention an appreciation of a scotch, fine dance, a sharp sense of fashion, and beautiful smile) will be deeply missed.

In her final days, Joan was surrounded by the love and care of her devoted daughter and cherished family. She passed peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of courage, love, and perseverance.

Joan will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved her; dearly missed but never forgotten. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Marian Para and Lee Reed; son, Eugene Para; brother, John Clark; grandchildren, Jennifer Para-Levy de Villagomez, and Michael Para-Levy; and son-in-law, Roberto Levy. She is survived by her children, Alex Para (and Betsy Watson), and Joanne Para-Levy; her grandchildren, Mark Para (and Angelo Cilia), Erika Para, Elizabeth (and Jay) Addiego, Tony Para, Vanessa (and Greg) Reitdorf, Kristina (and Corey) Callahan, Stephen Para-Levy, Jack Para, and Grace Para; and her great-grandchildren, Jaden, Isabella, Izabella, Santos, Antonio Jr., Alex Jr., Enzo, Noella, and Adalynn.

Rest in peace, Joan.

Today Joan Para, Branch 25 (San Francisco) of the Royal Canadian Legion’s only remaining World War II veteran, turns 101 years old today.

Joan was born in 1924 in Lowestoft, England. She volunteered to serve in His Majesty’s Regular Forces at the age of 18 in June 1942.  Joan was sent to complete aptitude testing in Honiton, Devon, where the military determined which jobs volunteers would be best suited, where she would be assigned to Army Communications.  Joan then went on Bradford, near Leeds, for training and was eventually stationed in London, near Buckingham Palace.  During her service in World War II, she held the rank of Driver (DRV), which was equivalent to private, within the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS).  Joan was honourably discharged on May 3, 1946.

Branch 25 has been blessed with Joan’s active involvement since she joined the branch back in 2000.  Personally speaking, from the time I joined the branch Joan was a regular attendee of each of our monthly lunch meetings – and it was only the pandemic and the loss of our regular venue that we didn’t get to spend time with Joan each month.

Below are some previous entries where you can read more about Joan, her service, and her involvement with Branch 25 :

• Member Highlight: Joan Para
• Joan Para Luncheon
• National Legion Week: Ordinary (Veteran) Member – Joan Para
• Joan Para’s 100th Birthday Gathering

Following the Wreaths Across America 2024 event at the San Francisco National Cemetery, the Branch gathered for our holiday luncheon  and presentation of awards and longevity pins.  While several members were unable to attend, the branch presented longevity pins to:

• Harold Adair – Ordinary 30 Year
• James Essex – Ordinary 30 Year
• Larry Wooley – Ordinary 10 Year
• Art Park – Associate 30 Year
• Michael Greene – Associate 5 Year

The following members of the executive were also presented with their Branch Past Officer Medals and bars.

• Trevor Page: Vice President
• Christopher Hogue: Sergeant at Arms

Next, each year Branch 25 considers whether there is any member worthy of the Legionnaire of the Year Award.  The award is described as:

The Legionnaire of the Year Award is another award available to recognize the hard work of many volunteers within our Branches. Legion Branches have dedicated members who volunteer countless hours each year towards their success. Branches are encouraged to choose one of their members each year from amongst these valued volunteers to recognize them as ‘Legionnaire of the Year.’

Here is Comrade Hogue with his Legionnaire of the Year plaque (as well as his past officer medal on the table in front of him).

Finally, this year the branch made two nominations for Lifetime Membership awards.  Lifetime Membership is award to a member who has provided outstanding service after ten years of continuous membership.  This year the branch nominated:

• Siefken Krieger
• Dennis Edmondson

There were other awards that were not presented due to the fact that members were not present and because of the Canada Post job action that prevented the items from being sent from Dominion Command in Ottawa.

Last month we posted about some end of the year awards and longevity presentations (see Branch 25 Holiday Luncheon and Awards).  However, as a branch that conducts a lot of its business and events online, we have members that span from all across California, as well as Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Texas, and even Mexico.  As such, often times we have to present honours to our members when the opportunity arises.

Recently, one of our more senior members in Mexico – Comrade Robert Bosch – was able to present another one of our members – Comrade Christine Philipson – with her 15 year longevity membership pin.  Also pictured in one of the pictures below is Comrade Richard Palmer, who is President of ANAVETS Mexico Unit 19 and a member of the one of the Calgary branches of Royal Canadian Legion.