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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, November 11, 2011 · 2 Parker family honoured guests at Veterans' luncheon By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF In 2002, eight veterans shared a tray of food at a luncheon to commemorate soldiers for their bravery during Veterans Week. Now, at the 10th anniversary of the event, nearly 700 veterans from across the GTA and their guests packed the Oakville Conference Centre for the annual Veterans Appreciation Luncheon Monday. Minister of Veterans Affairs Steven Blaney was there and told the gathering he couldn't have imagined how large and spectacular the event would become. In the beginning, he said, a few volunteers organized the luncheon, sponsored by MEDIchair. "Now we have an army of volunteers, an army for our veterans," he said. "That just goes to show the high regard the citizens of Oakville have for their veterans." Blaney commended the veterans who served selflessly for the country and the community for organizing such an event to show appreciation to those veterans. "I'm very honoured to be here today. But, I'm very honoured to be at the table of Ms. Parker and her wonderful children, Alexandria and Charlie," he said. M.J. Parker is the widow of Oakville-born and raised Colonel Geoff Parker, who was killed in Kabul, Afghanistan in May 2010 when his convoy was struck by a suicide car bomber. "We're here to say thank you," Blaney told the Parker children, "because this Remembrance Week is all about you, and to say, that it is very reassuring for me to see a community around you that is there to support you and to tell you that we're not only very proud of your father and the sacrifice he's made for our country, but we are very proud of you and we know you will make us even prouder as you follow in your journey." Lt. Col. Jenny Newton then spoke about Geoff Parker. She said it was evident from an early age Parker would join the military. He joined the Lorne Scots as a cadet and he completed his education, at his father insistence, before he joined the army. "A rising star, he excelled in virtually every military appointment he held, attaining the rank of "His (Geoff Parker's) children were his pride and joy and he was always devoted to them and always tried to instill pride in them as well." Lt. Col. Jenny Newton MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER A TEAM OF THREE: The family of the late Col. Geoff Parker, M.J. Parker with their children Alexandria and Charlie. full colonel in 2010," Newton said. His military career took him to many places across the country. "On a personal level, Colonel Parker didn't do anything without his sweetheart, M.J., whom he married in 1996," Newton said. They had two children, Alexandria, now 10, and Charlie, now 13. "His children were his pride and joy and he was always devoted to them and always tried to instill pride in them as well," said Newton who she spoke about time Parker spent with his children, such as building a computer with son Charlie or playing tea party with his daughter Alexandria. Parker sang to his children at See Children page 7 EXPERIENCE THE HALTON VACUUM DIFFERENCE & power up! with a new Vacuum · 500 air watts · Powerful enough for most homes · Electric Powerhead and hose · Complete set of attachments Offer Ends December 3, 2011 Great Value Performer $ 500 only · 550 air watts · Powerful enough for even large homes · Beam powerhead and hose set · Complete set of attachments Classic Power Performer Save on Powerhead & Hose Sets $ from INTRODUCING 24999 Model #0020E from r a new line of quality vacuum cleaners 49999 550 Model #SC225A $ only ULTRA L SILENCER 599 99 Accessories on Sale ITEM M.S.R.P. P NOW SAVE A · 12 AMPS of power · HEPA P filtration · Tools on board · Electric power brush · 7 year motor warranty sale Model #SC200 Save $270 OFF M.S.R.P. $770.00 Model #0020E onu$s BSave 300 OFF M.S.R.P. $900.00 #012268 Not exactly as shown. Hose Cover Garage Kit Vac Pan Combo Tool Pet Groomer $52.99 $49.99 $49.99 $29.99 $29.99 $42.99 $10.00 $39.99 $10.00 $39.99 $10.00 $24.99 $5.00 $24.99 $5.00 $ 59999 $ Save 200 OFF M.S.R.P. $799 Model #EL7066 SALES · SERVICE · SELECTION · QUALITY BRANDS · INSTALLATION Clean Starts Here! e e Trafalgar Ridge Shopping plaza 2379 Tra afalgar Road (in the Winners/HomeSense plaza) 905-2 257-6145 Beside Scotia Bank Mon.-Fri.10-5:30 Sat. 10-3, Sun. CLOSED Voted o d Best Vacuum Store Voted Best Since 1999 Customer Service