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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, July 3, 2014 | 4 St. Dominic students honour veteran Richarz by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff St. Dominic Catholic School students again paid tribute to Canada's veterans before school dismissed for summer -- this time recognizing the late Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 486 Bronte past-president Rick Richarz during a ceremony at the Bronte Veterans Garden on Bronte Road. Richarz, 76, who worked with the students to make the memorial garden in Donovan Bailey Park a reality, died Feb. 2 at Ian Anderson House. "Mr. Richarz supported the students of St. Dominic school and their vision to remember Canada's fallen soldiers and their families," said Grade 7 student Ciara Heath in a presentation. "He attended our inaugural assembly to promote the creation of the Bronte Veterans' Garden. He visited our school frequently to attend our Remembrance Day assemblies and further ceremonies at the Veterans Garden. Through his leadership of the Royal Canadian Legion, financial support was pledged to make the dream of our students a reality." Heath said Richarz understood that working with youths in his community was the best way to pass on to the younger generation the importance of always remembering the ultimate sacrifices of so many. St. Dominic Catholic School honoured the late Rick Richarz, past-president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 486, Bronte with a plaque and bench in the Bronte Veterans Garden in Donovan Bailey Park. Richarz's widow, Iris Richarz, wells up with emotion as she looks at a portrait of her late husband, while sitting on the bench dedicated to him. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/ HaltonPhotog) The garden was created after St. Dominic students told the Town of Oakville more was needed to honour Canadian soldiers for their service. To bring their idea of the garden to fruition, students staffed information booths and raised funds with help from sponsors, including MEDIchair, Richard Brock of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association and Bronte Legion. The garden opened in 2011 and features several plaques, placed in front of newlyplanted trees, which commemorate several Canadian soldiers. During the recent ceremony to honour Richarz, more than 100 students, staff and public officials attended the unveiling of a bench and plaque to commemorate Richarz's life. Born in Hamilton, Richarz joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1955, eventually rising to the rank of Master Corporal. He served two four-year tours in Germany and one fouryear tour in Italy. He was honourably discharged in June 1979, by which time he had earned the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) and clasp, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal and the Order of Merit. Richarz served two terms as president of the Bronte Legion in 2008 and 2012. Heath said when Richarz became ill, St. Dominic students sent him cards and a large banner to let him know they cared. The gesture was deeply appreciated by Richarz and his family. "You don't realize what you did for him when he was so sick and you sent him that big banner and wrote all those cards for him. It got his spirits up and for a couple of hours he was himself again and he was talking about you and how much he enjoyed coming to your school," said Iris Richarz, Richarz's widow, choking back tears. see A Garden on p.7 Alert: Your ash 200 200,000 P PLAYERS L AYERS O ONE NE R REALLY EALLY FUN GAME BRODY AGE 6 TIMBITS SOCCER trees are at risk from the Emerald Ash Borer ® TruGreen, Canada's leading lawn and tree care company, has been contracted to treat ash trees on public lands in the Town of Oakville from June through August. Ash trees in the Oakville area are at risk from Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive pest that destroys ash trees if left untreated. Avoid the costs of removal and replacement by treating your ash trees today with help from TruGreen. Special pricing available for Oakville residents. Call or visit TruGreen online for details. 1-866-294-7962 TruGreen.ca With Timbits Soccer, the first goal really is having fun. And with over 200,000 kids playing Timbits Soccer, that's a whole lot of smiling faces. Tim Hortons is proud to support each and every one of these kids, along with your local Tim Hortons Restaurant Owners who are excited to be a part of this by supporting over 1,500 Timbits Soccer players in Oakville. Learn more about protecting your ash trees. Join the Oakville Canopy Club. For more information visit oakville.ca © Tim Hortons, 2013 THE FIRST GOAL IS HAVING FUN ®