Honoring those who serve
The Havre Boucher Veterans Association is a dedicated group committed to honouring and preserving the memory, service, and sacrifices of Canadian veterans and active military members. The Association helps ensure that the contributions of those who served are never forgotten.
Havre Boucher Veterans’ Association History
The Havre Boucher Veterans’ Association was formed in 1987. The purpose was twofold. First to spearhead veterans’ interest in the erection of a cenotaph as a monument to those who served in both World War I and World War II, and second, to hold an annual Remembrance Day ceremony in Havre Boucher.
The initial meeting was held with the following executive being elected. Edward Brow, Chair, Joseph A. LeVangie, Vice Chair and Ambrose Fougere as Secretary. All members of the newly formed association helped when needed but special mention must be given to Edward Brow and Joe LeVangie who were the catalyst behind the overall project.
Our objectives are as follows:
(a) Keep an annual Memorial Day, to preserve the record and memories of those who have served or are serving in Her or His Majesty ‘s Armed Forces, and to see that such service shall not be forgotten by the community;
(b) Encourage membership in the association through application;
(c) Raise funds to maintain the cenotaph and the operations of the association;
d) Buy or acquire by way of grant, gift, purchase, or bequest, such real and/or personal property as may be desirable to use and/or carry out the objectives of the society.
Some history and context:
In World War I some 619,636 Canadians enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), and approximately 424,000 served overseas. Of these men and women, 59,544 members of the CEF died during the war, 51,748 of them because of enemy action. In World War I, over 70 members of our community enlisted. Five were killed in action and three wounded.
During World War II almost one million Canadians, (about one in ten), served in the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force. More than 42,000 of our service members gave their lives and more than 55,000 were wounded. In World War II, 97 local members enlisted to serve, of which five were killed.
As of November 2025, Veterans Affairs Canada estimated that approximately 3,691 Canadian WWII veterans were still alive, with the number dwindling rapidly 80 years after the conflict's end. The surviving population includes about 3,024 men and 667 women, with most now over 100 years old.
Current military service records are kept at the Department of National Defence (DND) and transferred to Library and Archives Canada (LAC) for safe keeping upon retirement.
There are two ways to obtain these records:
You can search LAC's online databases, or you can send an Access to Information and Privacy, (ATIP), online request to either LAC or DND depending on when the member served.
Have a specific question? Contact Library and Archives Canada or the Department of National Defence directly. 1-866-522-2122
Some wartime stories that can be read online by clicking the link:
1) Under attack in a wartime convoy (Joseph "X" DeCoste and John E Melong were on the troop carrier "SS Monterey - November 6, 1943.
2) Wounded soldier puts comrades first (Sapper Stephen V. Webb, Royal Canadian Engineers - landed in France on D-Day)
3) Prayer book saves life (Pte John E Melong served with the Cape Breton Highlanders in Italy, Holland, France, Belgium and Germany).
4) Fougere brothers fight in World War II (Sylvester, Seward, Ambrose, Gilbert and Stanley Fougere, all brothers from the Havre Boucher area, enlist and fight in WWII.)
5) This story is about Ambrose Fougere, who served in WWII. You can also hear what he and his brigade went through, available on YouTube if you search the following: 1964: Sgt Aubrey Cosens Queen’s Own Rifles.
To apply to join the Veterans’ Association: click here.
To read the association bylaws: click here.
To view the society’s certificate of incorporation: click here.
Cenotaph Project
Fundraising for the cenotaph became a major goal for the Association. Twenty-five veterans, original members of the Association, contributed $25.00 each to start the financial drive. Major contributions for this project included the Havre Boucher and District Kinsmen Club, Havre Boucher Volunteer Fire Department, St Paul’s Parish Council, The Municipality of the County of Antigonish and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 59 (Arras) in Antigonish. We must give recognition to the Kinsmen Club who made a major, generous contribution of $5,000.00.
The cost of the project was estimated to be $10,000.00 strictly for the cenotaph. The base foundation also had to be constructed. As is usual with community-oriented projects, donations of materials, labour, machinery and cash were generously given to ensure its successful completion. Other fundraising endeavours included dances and ticket raffles.
After the official opening of the cenotaph, funding for the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the cenotaph was running very low. Frank Pelerine, a veteran and member of the Association, volunteered his services to go door to door collecting. Through his efforts, over $1,000.00 was raised. For several years the Fire Department, (including the Ladies’ Auxiliary), and the Kinsmen Club alternated as sponsors for a reception following the annual Remembrance Day parade. More recently this has been organized by members of the Association.
Since the cenotaph’s construction veterans who served in WWII have all died. However, Association members, including a few serving members and younger veterans, have remained active in carrying out the annual Remembrance Day parade and maintaining the cenotaph. As these members grow older it is imperative that efforts are made to ensure that cenotaph ceremonies continue in Havre Boucher. In order to accomplish this, a public plea is being made to all members of the general public, (especially family members of veterans), to join the Havre Boucher Veterans’ Association to carry on future Remembrance Day services and to maintain the cenotaph as a monument to all those who have served their country and especially those who made the supreme sacrifice.
To view the names on the cenotaph, choose: “left stone”, “centre stone” or “right stone”. Veterans (as accurate as possible as of 2026)
Click on any of the blue scripted names to see a picture of that veteran.
World War I (July 28th, 1914 - November 11th, 1918)
Click our WW1 Veterans Names to learn more about their story
| Frankie Bouchie | Archibald Decoste | Benjamin Levangie | Rodrick Macdonald |
| Alphonsus Decoste | Raymond Decoste | Angus Macdonald | Edward Pettipas |
World War II ( September 1st, 1939 - September 2nd, 1945)
We are unaware of any local Korean War veterans. However, there are several serving members and some who have served recently. Two local residents saw action in Afghanistan*.
| Wayne Anderson | Richard Breen* | Adam Burton | Micheal. A Currie |
| Colton Ledbetter | Jean-Paul Melong | John Pettipas | Robert Crispo* |
Our Current Board of Directors
J. Brian Melong, Chair
Tim Hinds, Vice Chair
Paul Melong, Secretary
Ludwig Kupzyck, Treasurer
Rose M. Bennett
Darryl Breen
Dorothy Hanlon
Lloyd Melong
Trevor O'Neil
Mary Pelrine
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them