Comrade Cy Payne, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 32 in Bay Roberts, was presented with a Quilt of Valour on August 10, 2026, during a ceremony at the town’s Cenotaph. Local Quilts of Valour representative Rosalie Taylor made the presentation, which recognizes Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans who have been injured or become ill as a result of their service.
The Quilts of Valour – Canada Society describes each quilt as “a hug from a grateful nation” and a tribute to an injured Canadian Armed Forces member, past or present. Since the program began in 2006, more than 29,000 quilts have been presented across the country to veterans and members who meet the eligibility requirements, including being ill or injured as a result of service in combat or peacekeeping missions and honourably discharged.
The Bay Roberts Cenotaph, erected in 1973, is dedicated to the local war dead of the First and Second World Wars and provided a fitting backdrop for the ceremony. The Cenotaph stands where the old courthouse once stood, a site with deep connections to the Legion’s history in the community.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 32 has been a part of Bay Roberts since receiving its charter in 1954, serving veterans and the wider community for more than 70 years. Presentations like the one honouring Comrade Payne highlight the Legion’s continuing commitment to recognizing the service and sacrifice of local veterans.
