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Vandalism Strikes Royal Canadian Legion in Peachland, B.C.

In a troubling incident, the Royal Canadian Legion in Peachland, British Columbia, has become a target of vandalism, with egg yolk and shattered shells left adhering to its windows. The local community is reeling from this disrespectful act.

Jean Saul, the president of the legion, expressed his disappointment and hurt over the vandalism. He remarked, “It really hurts” to see such disregard for an institution that serves veterans and their families.

Surveillance cameras recorded a vehicle passing the legion around midnight on Sunday, capturing passengers throwing eggs at the building. Operations manager Dona-Lea Paige characterized the event as a “heartbreaking act of vandalism,” emphasizing the legion’s commitment to supporting the local veteran community.

In a heartfelt message directed at the vandals, Saul urged them to reflect on their actions, reminding them of the sacrifices made by soldiers, airmen, and navy personnel. “Think about what you just did. You wouldn’t have been able to do that if our soldiers hadn’t made sacrifices,” he stated.

The vandalism didn’t stop at the legion; police reported that at least four other local businesses also fell victim to the egg-throwing spree that night. Kelly Kalesnikoff, owner of On Beach Boutique, shared her dismay upon arriving at work. “The first thing I noticed was egg all down my front door,” she recounted. Kalesnikoff spent around an hour cleaning up the vandalism and lamented the toll it takes on small businesses, commenting, “The damage is done when they do that to small businesses. We have a lot of other things to do.”

Community Response and Reflection

The Royal Canadian Legion is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, and Saul hopes that this event will inspire greater respect from the community for the building that holds such significance for many veterans and local residents. “Each and every time we come in here, every Remembrance Day, every other service, we salute the cenotaph as we’re marching. That’s the salute (veterans) need,” he added.

Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the vandalism to come forward and report it to the West Kelowna RCMP as the community seeks accountability for this disrespectful act.

Source
globalnews.ca