Kelowna

It's hard to keep a good man down.

James Shackleton was just hours away from his 80th birthday and just a week away from flying to Vancouver to be honoured for his years of hard work and dedication to the Royal Canadian Legion when he realized something was wrong.

Photo: Grant Scott

Kelowna-Lake Country MP Ron Cannan (L) talks with Branch 26 President John Cashin, James Shackleton and Annette Shackleton on Friday.

"I had a heart attack," says Shackleton who, in spite of the scare, managed to keep his sense of humour. 

"I remember thinking at the time that at least I wouldn't have to listen to everyone singing Happy Birthday."

The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 26 in Kelowna, is like every other legion in the country, dependent on the hard work of the volunteers who give so much of their time to the clubs and their membership.

This year, three Branch 26 members, including Shackleton, were among the 15 province wide who were honoured with the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation.

The Commendation is presented to individuals who have contributed to the care and well-being of Veterans and to the remembrance of their contributions, sacrifices and achievements.

James' has recovered remarkable well from his January 11 attack.

"Actually, I feel better than I did before. I feel the blockages were causing a shortage of oxygen. I noticed right away after the operation that my complexion was better and other people noticed it to."

Still, in order to protect that recovery, he was under doctor's orders not to fly.

So, while his comrades Sydney Pratt and Roy Kawamoto were in Vancouver for the ceremony, Shackleton remained home.

Since James couldn't make it to the ceremony, it was decided to bring the ceremony to James.

On Friday morning, Kelowna-Lake Country MP Ron Cannan, on behalf of Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, presented James Shackleton with the award during a ceremony at the branch.

“Today we honour a man whose volunteer work has helped veterans in need,” says Cannan.

“A man who has devoted himself to reminding Canadians of the remarkable contributions veterans have made to help shape the Canada we know today. Mr. Shackleton is truly a deserving recipient of this award.”

Shackleton spent almost 33 years in the Canadian Forces Veteran. He joined the Legion in the early seventies and in his 4 decades as a member he has also held almost every executive position in the branch, including vice-president and president.

He is a member of the Branch Colour Party and, for the past ten years, has made the arrangements for the Legion portion of funeral services.

"I normally do the Last Post service for members," says Shackleton.

He also visits bereaved families, liaises with clergy and arranges for Branch members to attend funeral services. He also devotes considerable time to visiting Veterans and widows at home, in hospitals and in retirement homes.

The Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation includes a bar, which can be worn below official decorations on a Veteran’s blazer, as well as a lapel pin for civilian wear and a certificate.

Find more information on the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation, including the accomplishments and biography of the recipient, at veterans.gc.ca. 

Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation award ceremony

Photo: Grant Scott

Photo: Grant Scott

Photo: Grant Scott

Photo: Grant Scott

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