Emery Village BIA Executive Director’s message - October 2024

Emery Village BIA

Executive Director’s message

November is quickly approaching, which provides us with a chance to pause, consider, and express our thanks for all of the heroic men and women who gave their lives while fighting for our freedom and the good of their country.

We have to keep in mind...should we fail to do so, the bravery and selflessness of those 100,000 Canadian lives—many of whom had barely turned 18—will be insignificant. They gave their lives in defense of us, our future, and their homes, families, and friends. We are grateful for your bravery, sacrifices, and dedication to serving your nation. We would like to pay tribute to all of the veterans from our community of Humber River Black Creek who have served Canada during times of peace and war.

One of Emery’s biggest community advocates is honoured with Joseph Bannon Park. Joseph Bannon, who was born in Scotland in 1919, joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and took part in the D-Day invasion of Canada’s forces at Juno Beach in 1944. I went to the Canadian War Memorial at Juno Beach in 2012 with my husband and kids, and his name and military uniforms are on permanent exhibit there. Following the war, Joseph Bannon and his family moved into a “war home” in the brand-new Weston neighbourhoods, which were designed for returning service members and their families. Bannon’s lifetime dedication to the care of surviving children stems from his experiences during the war, where he saw the agony, loss, and devastation of these children. Joe Bannon and his wife Doris May fostered almost 100 unwanted children, seven of whom they adopted, in addition to their own two children. We invite you to participate in our yearly Remembrance Day service on the following dates to honour our veterans:

Saturday, November 11th, 2024 Joseph Bannon Park

65 Mary Chapman Boulevard at 11:00am sharp

Light refreshments will be served shortly after the ceremony in the tent.

For further information please contact us at: info@emeryvillagebia.ca or at: 416-744-7242 Sincerely,

Sandra Farina Executive Director

Sandra Farina

Executive Director