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MELFORT, Sask. — For Rod Pearson, military service was more than a career. It was a way of life that took him across Canada, through the Panama Canal, into the skies over the Atlantic Ocean and alongside shipmates and aircrew he still remembers today.
The Melfort Legion member and Canadian Armed Forces veteran was recently recognized for that service when he received a Quilt of Valour during a presentation held in October at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 30 in Melfort.
Approximately 20 people attended the ceremony, which recognized Pearson's years of service in both the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force. According to the Melfort Legion, only one other branch member, Bob Ellis, has previously received a Quilt of Valour.
"This past week we had the pleasure of honouring one of our own, Rod Pearson," the Legion wrote in a social media post. "He was presented with a Quilt of Valour for his service to our country. Thank you, Rod, for your service and your continued support to our legion."
Pearson's military career began in August 1970, shortly after his 18th birthday.
"I had just turned 18 in July," he recalled.
After completing basic training in Cornwallis, N.S., he received firefighting and naval orientation training in Halifax before beginning sonar operator training. He told SaskToday he was subsequently posted to HMCS Mackenzie, where he served aboard the destroyer escort from 1971 to 1973.
During the Cold War era, Pearson participated in naval exercises and anti-submarine operations designed to prepare crews for potential wartime conditions.
"We were training to hunt submarines," he said.
Later, he joined HMCS Restigouche and helped bring the vessel from Halifax to the West Coast. The trip included stops in Puerto Rico, Mexico and California, along with a transit through the Panama Canal.
After returning to Halifax and getting married, Pearson transferred to the Air Force, where he trained as an Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator (AES Op) in Greenwood, N.S.
He later served with 407 Squadron in Comox, B.C., flying aboard CP-107 Argus aircraft during maritime patrol and surveillance operations.
Seeking greater responsibility, Pearson applied for a commission and attended the University of Saskatchewan, where he completed a degree funded through the military. He later returned to naval service as an officer before a medical condition ended his military career in 1981.
By the time of his release, Pearson had attained the rank of sub-lieutenant.
Following his military service, Pearson built a second career in education and industry. He worked as a parts and service manager at a John Deere dealership in Melfort before earning a degree in education. He went on to teach at Kelsey Institute and later spent 15 years at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary.
Today, Pearson spends summers in St. Brieux and remains active with the Melfort Legion, where he has been a member for approximately 10 years and serves as sergeant-at-arms during events.
For Pearson, Remembrance Day is also an opportunity to reflect on the lasting bonds forged through military service.
"When I think of veterans, I think of shipmates and aircrew members who have passed on, and the people I shared those experiences with," he said.
Military life in the 1970s was very different from today, he noted. Deployments could last weeks without any contact with family.
"There were no cellphones. Families didn't know where we were, and we weren't allowed to call home," he said.
Despite the challenges, Pearson said the camaraderie created lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories.
"The experiences were great. You met people and saw things the average person wouldn't," he said. "Looking back, I wouldn't trade it for anything."
The Quilt of Valour presented to Pearson carries special significance.
Founded in 2006, Quilts of Valour Canada began when founder Lezley Zwaal presented quilts to three injured Canadian soldiers recovering in an Edmonton hospital after serving in Afghanistan. What began as a simple gesture of appreciation has grown into a national organization that has presented more than 27,700 quilts to Canadian veterans and service members.
Each handmade quilt is intended to serve as "a hug from a grateful nation," recognizing the sacrifices made by Canada's veterans and active service members.
For Pearson, the honour was both humbling and meaningful.
The quilt now serves as a reminder not only of his years of service, but also of the friendships, challenges and experiences that shaped a lifetime dedicated to serving Canada.
