RCA To Pay Tribute To Honoured Local Veteran Posted on 2008-07-04 18:23:05 Official unveiling of memorial to Lieutenant-Colonel Art Pill in Rondeau Park on Sunday, July 6, 2008. The public is cordially invited to a special ceremony honouring military veteran Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur H. Pill (1920 – 2006) on Sunday, July 6 at 1 p.m. The ceremony will be held on the grounds of the Rondeau Yacht Club, in Rondeau Park (beside the government dock on scenic Rondeau Bay). In case of inclement weather, the event will be held inside the Rondeau Yacht Club. Refreshments will be served. Lieutenant-Colonel Pill, “Art” to his friends and comrades, had a remarkable military career. Itching to get into battle, Art enlisted in the British Army and saw action almost immediately. Disaster struck when Art was captured and sent to several P.O.W. camps in the Mediterranean theatre. Art demonstrated his ingenuity that he was known for by escaping; only to be captured not once, but twice more – and escaping twice more! “I guess they really liked me”, Art used to say. After the war, Art returned to Canada, contributed greatly to his community in southern Ontario and lived a long and full life; teaching for many years at Blenheim District High School. Art’s true passion and love in life was the time spent at his cottage on Lake Erie in Rondeau Park. He loved nature and the environment and spent many decades there enjoying his numerous friends and family members. We hope you will be able to join us at this historic event – Art is the first Rondeau resident and veteran to be honoured in such a way by his community. However we felt that his incredible record of military and community service warranted such recognition. At this ceremony we will be officially unveiling a beautiful granite memorial bench dedicated to Art. This memorial bench is a fitting tribute to Art, as it faces Rondeau Bay and the spectacular sunsets that he always so thoroughly enjoyed. Several important local and federal politicians will be in attendance, including representatives from the Ministry of Veterans Affairs. This event is open to the public and we are looking forward to an excellent turnout to honour one of our important local citizens. back to main