Shawinigan, Quebec
Mr. Alan Boisvert has been a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Grondin CD Branch 44 in Shawinigan since 2000, where he has served as Treasurer and is currently President. When he took up the position of Branch 44 President, there were only 35 members, while today there are over 80.
In 1999, The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 44 lost the premises it had occupied since its founding. Looking for much cheaper accommodations, Mr. Boisvert, who was Deputy Commanding Officer of 62nd Field Artillery Regiment, undertook steps to incorporate the Branch 44 premises into the new armoury. Negotiations were long and arduous. A persevering go-getter who was not prepared to be turned down, he masterfully pushed his case until he received a positive answer. Also, when he was the Unit’s Commanding Officer, he unfailingly supported Shawinigan Branch 44 and Grand-Mère Branch 101.
At the 2012 Memorial Cup tournament, Mr. Boisvert was in charge of the cenotaph ceremony, the challenge and the ceremonial face-offs. He brought attention to the Veterans of Branch 44 and other local Veterans. Incidentally, he is a Veteran who has raised the Memorial Cup flag. Each year, Mr. Boisvert approaches the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Veterans Affairs Canada for the special faceoff to mark Veterans’ Week.
Mr. Boisvert has made extensive efforts to honour Branch 44 members. Thanks to his perseverance, 12 members were awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, two Veterans received the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation, and two Veterans received the French Legion of Honour from the Consul General of France in Quebec. Mr. Boisvert takes pleasure in recognizing Branch members who perform volunteer work. Each year, he proposes names of Legion members for the regional top volunteer competition and the Lieutenant-Governor’s Seniors Medal. He is always finding opportunities to talk about Veterans and pay homage to them in schools, the Chamber of Commerce and elsewhere in Shawinigan. He also takes time to visit Veterans at home.