Malahat Legion member wins Meritorious Service Medal

On Saturday, June 27, Dwight Grieve, BC/Yukon Royal Canadian Legion Military, Veterans and Senior chairman presented Comrade Raymond Bootland with the Meritorious Service Medal citation.

Since the Malahat Legion opened in 1934, Bootland is the fourth member to have received this prestigious award. He joins Norm Newbold, Dwight Grieve and Don Woolford.

Bootland is a 39-year member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He joined the Langford Branch on his retirement from the Royal Canadian Navy. While in the Langford branch, Bootland served on council for five years as the Sports chair.

In 1991, he transferred his membership to the Malahat Branch #134. He was awarded a Life Membership in 2014 for all his hard work and support of the Malahat Legion.

Despite an advancing disability Bootland has remained very active in the Malahat Legion and the community through participation in the Young Seniors Active Group Society. This society is open to all community members and promotes many social activities.

"Congratulations Ray," reads a press release from the Malahat Legion. "This is truly a wonderful achievement. Well done!"

Bootland recently moved to Halifax, N.S. to be with his family and friends. He will be truly missed, the Legion said.