A 92-year-old former Sundre resident and veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force is looking forward to being among this year's Sundre Pro Rodeo Parade marshals.
“Dad's really quite pleased as punch to be going,” said Heather Lynn, daughter of James Donald Reid — known locally as Don — during a recent phone interview.
“As you get older, you need things to look forward to, and this is something he's really looking forward to,” she said.
“He's so happy.”
Organizers of the annual parade decided to set this year's theme as Salute to Men and Women in Uniform to recognize and pay tribute to those with a connection to Sundre who have served their country.
Reid, who was born in Calgary in 1924, enlisted in the Air Force as an airframe mechanic when he was only 17. He served at Yarmouth, N.S. and was discharged in 1945.
However, he re-enlisted in 1947 and went on to serve a number of posts including Calgary and Lachine, Que. with 426 Squadron. His military career also spanned around the world, including tours in England, Korea, France, Germany and Cyprus.
He retired in 1970 and earned along the way numerous awards, including the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, the 1939-1945 War Medal, the Canadian Korean War Medal and the United Nations Service Medal — Korea.
Reid met his wife, Gladys, at a bus depot in Calgary when both had individual reasons for heading to Carbon, located in the Drumheller area. She was going to visit her sister and he was going to see a friend. They later ended up attending a dance in Carbon, where their relationship was ignited.
Eventually tying the knot, Don and Gladys, who had three children together, were passionate about heading out to travel the back roads and explore the countryside while taking a picnic along.
“Mom and dad were more country people than city people,” said Lynn.
During one of their many road trips, they found themselves stumbling upon a place they would fall in love with and decide to call home, she said.
“They happened upon Sundre — they just loved it.”
The couple was so taken by this town that Don and Gladys remained in the community until she died, after which point he stayed for a few more years before moving closer to Lynn in Edmonton.
“He loved living in Sundre, he really did,” she said.
Don was also active at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 223 Sundre, where he became a life member.
Just about his only pet peeve was motorists who did not allow pedestrians to safely cross Main Avenue, and he would try to make a note of their licence plate numbers.
“He could be a little irascible,” she said with a laugh.
As his mobility and stamina have diminished, Lynn said the plan was for her to drive him to Sundre for the parade and stay around overnight before heading back the next day.
When asked whether she had words of encouragement for anyone who has never attended the pro rodeo and parade, she said, “Come to Sundre. It's a beautiful town with really friendly people and the setting is incomparable. That's my feeling, and I know that's dad's feeling too.”
The parade takes place this Saturday, June 25 starting at about 10 a.m. following the annual pancake breakfast at the Sundre IGA. Visit www.sundrerodeo.com for more on this weekend's annual event.
