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Centre unveils permanent veterans display

The Mary Winspear Centre unveiled a tribute to local veterans who served the nation in times of war and peace
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Canadian Air Force veteran Russ Hudson and his wife Anna look at the Memorial Park Society veterans display. It was officially opened on Sunday

On Remembrance Day, before the parade down Sidney’s Beacon Avenue and cenotaph ceremony, the Mary Winspear Centre unveiled its tribute to local veterans who served the nation in times of war and peace.

Former and current soldiers visited the display, featuring artifacts from veterans, newspaper articles, photos and more —much of it provided by the Sidney Museum and ANAVETS Umit 302. Royal Canadian Air Force veteran Russ Hudson was at the opening with his wife, Anna. He and Don Wallace worked together to build the stands for the display.

“It’s an emotional time for me,” Russ said of the day.

His father was a Spitfire pilot in the Second World War, who never made it home. Russ himself joined the air force in the 1960s, serving overseas in Syria during peacekeeping operations there. He returned as a chief warrant officer.

“It’s a beautiful tribute to our veterans,” he said. “I just hope everybody in Sidney comes out to see it.”