It is with a heavy heart that I publicly bid farewell to a local Veteran, member of the Royal Canadian Shelburne Legion 220 Branch, Merv Parker, who passed away on December 25, 2019.
Merv personified veteran life with his exemplary commitment to society. It’s fair to say that our veterans lived lives, really, actually and completely lived their lives, and Merv was one of these fine individuals from a generation who voluntarily offered their lives in defense of their families, their towns, their provinces, their country. The men and women who became defenders of our lives, our way of life, our freedoms, became bonded with their peers and came to know and understand the gravity of their commitment meant the war could claim them, forever taking them from us.
Merv Parker, began his Policing career as a Constable in Middleton, Nova Scotia. Merv continued on becoming an Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Armed Military Police seeing placements that brought him from Canada to Germany and Vietnam over 15 years. With a rich and diverse experience in security, following his Military career, Merv also worked for the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, keeping Canadian Embassy staff and their families safe from harm, bringing him to Central America, South America and Africa. Merv had been a security specialist, a teacher, an Author, Security and was recognized for his, “Outstanding Professional And Volunteering Service To Community and Country” in 2002 with the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.
It’s difficult to sum up a man’s life in just so few words. It’s also a little unconventional to include other veterans in a commentary of this sort, but Merv wouldn’t like it any other way, always bringing attention and awareness to Veterans whenever he could.
Veterans like Merv Parker had a true appreciation for life because they knew the cost, the fragility, and when they returned home, to the home they helped save, they continued fighting, continued saving, helping. Veterans helped neighbours through tough times, grew church communities, raised families, and offered support and compassion whenever they could and they did this for the remainder of their lives. Merv Parker was such an individual and it was my honour to know him in any small way.
I find it ironic Merv passed away on Christmas day because in so many ways, he was and is the gift to so many. Bringing Veterans to public attention was his pride and joy and he never let Shelburne down during a parade or public event. Bringing his jeep, proudly dressing in full regalia, having his fellow veterans along for the ride, and speaking to passerby’s, informing, sharing, and was a larger than life presence at the Shelburne Legion.
Merv never stopped serving, never stopped fighting, even against the disease that took him and though many wonderful things will be said about this local veteran who passed away, what I would like the world to know is that a very good man passed away.
I think it’s pretty safe to say in regards to our Shelburne Veterans, men and women alike, “They don’t make’m like that anymore.”
While in hospice, Merv asked me if I would write a little something in my online paper and knowing I had recently put the The Shelburne Freelancer on pause for a while, he answered his own question commenting that I probably would write a little something.
Well my friend, how could I refuse such a fellow. It has been an honour to know you, photograph you and attend a few Wednesday Veteran Meetings. It’s been a gift to my life to meet Shelburne Veterans, see their joy, their appreciation of life, witness their acts of kindness and compassion and share a few laughs along the way. I will always thank Merv and the other Veterans for including me, welcoming me. As Merv always greeted people with a big hug, he leaves us with the warmth and kindness of dear memories. Merv would always say, “Lest We Forget,” and I assure, we will not forget. Fare Thee Well. You will be dearly missed. My heart and thoughts go to Merv’s wonderful wife Beverly and their family.
Above: Merv and Beverly Parker
Click this link to read wonderful article by Marni Walsh featured in the Shelburne Free Press.
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