Gordon Norrish is used to seeing parades with military personnel and the Royal Canadian Legion Colour Party present, but the parade he saw on May 16 was extra special.
A drive-by parade of 40 to 50 vehicles cruised past his home on Spadina Avenue on Saturday to celebrate the Chilliwack veteran’s 100th birthday.
Family, friends and fellow legion members were all there to wish him a happy birthday as he stood on the balcony of his first-floor apartment waving and thanking folks as they went by.
Messages of congratulations from the Queen, the Prime Minister and others were read from the lawn below before everyone sang Happy Birthday to him.
Norrish is the oldest, by age, member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 280 in Vedder. The Second World War veteran was a flight engineer in the RCAF for 25 years. He followed that career with another at the City of Penticton before his retirement. Through his service, he has travelled the world many times.
Norrish’s family was planning on having a dinner party at the legion to celebrate his centennial birthday, but plans changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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