Lougheed Veteran recognized for service in Korean War

Arnold Meyer of Lougheed and his wife Millie were proud to welcome Leon Benoit, MP for Vegreville-Wainwright, to their home last Friday, Aug 23.

Benoit asked to meet with Meyer to present him with a certificate of recognition and thanks on behalf of the federal government for his service in the Korean War.

Meyer enlisted in 1951 at the age of 17. “It was the early ‘50s, and there was no employment to be had,” he says, of his hometown area Bowsman, Man. “We worked in the woods, on the mills, but I wanted to try something else, so a friend and I went to Winnipeg to look for jobs.

“There was nothing there, either,” he says, “but I saw a sign that said ‘Join the Army’ so we went to the recruiting office and signed up.”

At least Meyer did, he went first, but his friend changed his mind at the last minute.

Meyers’ brother served in WWII as part of the Westminster Regiment H1518, he was killed in action in 1944 and buried in Italy.

Meyer says this didn’t deter him from joining up, since other people in Bowsman had already done tours in Korea and returned, he thought he would too.

Meyer did his basic training in Petawawa, Ont., and his advanced training at Camp Wainwright, then says he was on the ship over to Korea just after his 18th birthday.

Read the rest of the story in the August 27, 2013 Edition of The Community Press, on newsstands now!