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FOCUS - JUNE 2016 21 The Scugog Public Library was the place to be on April 28th as Member of Parliament Erin OToole hosted three fantastic events. The first was a presentation made by Lieutenant Colonel Martial de Reviers a French liaison officer attached to the embassy in Ottawa who made the trip to Port Perry to present the distinguished Order of the Legion of Honour award to two local distinguished veterans of World War II. The medal is the highest honour France bestows on anyone and is equal to our own Order of Canada. Legion of Honour medals were presented to those who served in the liberation of France during World War II. The recipients were George Emmerson and Edward Groves of Port Perry. Lt-Col de Reviers was introduced by MP Erin OToole and was elegant in his traditional presentation. Standing stately he addressed each veteran awarded them the medal took them by the shoulders and placed an emotional Faire la Bise the art of the Parisian double air kiss on each cheek. The event also called for the presentation of Community Service awards to local residents who have given more to the community than was ever asked. The awards were presented jointly by MP Erin OToole and Scugog Mayor Tom Rowett. The recipients were totally surprised and quite stunned as their names were called. Paul Arculus Terry and Christine Vos Tyler Briley and Joyce Kelly were the well deserving recipients of this prestigious local honour. The third event originated several years ago when Erin OToole a veteran himself began an undertaking to restore Lt-Colonel Sam Sharpes military existence back into the record books. Sam Sharpe was a Member of Parliament for North Durham who in 1915 soon af- ter Britain declared war on Germany began recruiting friends from the area and formed the 116th battalion. After being trained in England the 116th was dis- patched to the frontlines in France. They witnessed action at Vimy Ridge and in Avion where scrambling through bomb blasts machine-gun fire and poisonous gas the men of the 116th reached the German line and fought hand to hand combat. Nearly 200 Germans were killed or captured and the 116th suffered 100 casualties. The losses hit Sharpe hard especially as he had per- sonally recruited many of the men. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry under fire but was hospitalized due to his growing stress from what was then known as shell-shock. Succumbing to his depression Sharpe jumped to his death from a hospital window soon after arriving in Montreal. Sam Sharpe was all but erased from Canadian his- tory. His portrait in the regiment office was taken down and only in the official Book of Remembrance kept in Ottawas Peace Tower was his name retained. Shell- shock was considered a weakness at the time. Member of Parliament Erin OToole began a suc- cessful mission to resurrect the heroic leadership of Sam Sharpe and commissioned Port Perry artist Tyler Briley to create a bronze sculpture of Lt-Col Sam Sharpe. The sculpture was unveiled at the event and now has a per- manent resting place in the Parliament buildings. By Jonathan van Bilsen Focus on Scugog Christine and Terry Vos were among the recipients of the Community Service Award presented by MP Erin OToole left and Mayor Tom Rowett right. The Legion of Honour Award is presented by Lt-Col Martial de Reviers right to George Emmerson as MP Erin OToole left looks on. Artist Tyler Briley left with MP Erin OToole and the Sam Shape sculpture. LIBRARY BECOMES CENTRE OF HONOUR PhotoSbytomPouPore