CORNWALL, Ontario – Kickstands were up at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 28 at the Cornwall Royal Canadian Legion as the Sicily Unit of the Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Club started their journey across SDG and area to raise money for homeless veterans.
“We have a ride every year to get some money from the Legions for the Joe Sweeny Fund,” said Michel Joannette, President of the Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Club.
Joannette said the Sicily Unit has raised up to $85,000 riding around the region over the past seven years. Proceeds will go to Operation: Leave the Streets Behind, a country-wide initiative started by Korean War Veteran, Joe Sweeny.
“Here in the province of Ontario, I think we have three different units…and we all carry a name of a famous battle in which Canadians were present during (the) First World War or Second World War,” said Joannette.
“When I think of it, it makes my heart feel good to think of those young men who went over there to protect us,” said Guy Lauzon, local Member of Parliament (MP). “Now when they need protection, I think it’s important that we as a society, and the Canadian government, and we every Canadians be there to protect them.”
The club started their journey in Cornwall after breakfast, a speech about Canada’s efforts in Sicily during the war and a moment of silence. Motorcyclists then made their way to various legions in the area.
