MACLEOD WISHES HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO RAY DESJARDINS PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 23 February 2011 16:59

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Ms. Lisa MacLeod: I'd like to say hello to all my friends who are watching in Barrhaven today. My friend John Baird once wrote that Ray Desjardins "has served as an inspiration and exemplary role model for the members of his community." On his 70th birthday, I wanted to thank Ray in this esteemed chamber for doing what well-known and respected Rabbi Reuven Bulka has noted of Ray. He says, "Ray is a true champion of the welfare of our veterans and has made this a life mission." Indeed Ray has.

Ray has been a serviceman, a public servant, a community association leader, a fundraiser for our very own Perley Rideau Veterans' Health Centre and an officer for his church. But one of the greatest examples of Ray's dedication to our community and to our country was his steadfast belief that the fast-growing community of Barrhaven needed a Royal Canadian Legion to celebrate our veterans and Canada's new generation of soldiers, who have served and who continue to serve our country in Afghanistan and around the world. Thus Ray became the founding president of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 641, of Barrhaven, of which I am a proud member.

I, of course, understand it was no small task to bring this legion into existence, because it was only started four short years ago, and this legion is the first legion in all of Canada to be created in the last 25 years.

Today Ray is our branch chaplain. He presides over both happy and solemn occasions, and recently we lost Comrade Jerry Jodoin, who was a friend to us and also a World War II veteran. Ray is a cancer survivor. He's a cherished friend of many of us in Barrhaven. He is also married to Carolyn, who has been a true partner to him in every sense of the word.

So, on behalf of the residents of Nepean-Carleton, and I know all of my colleagues here in the Ontario Legislature, I want to let Ray know that he is appreciated. So happy birthday, Ray.

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