Volume 6 - Legion BC/Yukon Command Website

“Military Service Recognition Book”Andrew Solonas Sr. was born September 28 th , 1923 and died January 3rd, 2009. He was an ElderVeteran living in McLeod Lake, British Columbia. He and his late wife, Sophie Prince, are the parentsof ten wonderful children: Myrtle (late), Lori (late), Geraldine, Andrew Jr., Rosalind, Sharon, Verne,Richard, Terrance, and Arlene.When he was 18 years old, he was walking around in Prince George. He met this one kid and heasked him why he didn’t join the army. The kid said he was only 16 so Andrew decided to join. Hewent to Vancouver where he spent a bit of time walking around Stanley Park. Then he joined up inJuly 1941. Andrew was a member of the New Westminster Regiment from New Westminster,British Columbia (just outside of Vancouver). He trained in practically everything and when hedecided that he wanted to go overseas he was shipped to Camp Borden in Ontario, Canada, forsome training. After that, he went to England and did some more training. Then he went to Italy tofight in the war as a sniper. Andrew Solonas Sr. was in the army for four and a half years until October 1945.We also have another band member who was in training in Camp Borden. He was the late Achille Chingee. He was bornon December 18, 1918. According to Andrew Sr., they found out that Achille had one poor ear. I guess Louis (a fellowsoldier) was beside him on New Year’s Eve and they made a few shots about 10 or 20 feet away causing his ear drum tobe damaged. So he had to be discharged because he could not hear out of one ear. I think it is important that we honourthe late 20,000 different troops altogether. Andrew has met a few guys from Fort St. James. As well, he met a guy namedAl Hubble overseas. Al was from Prince George. I guess he was related to Harry Copperwait, who used to own the storeacross the McLeod Lake.The McLeod Lake Indian Band members and staff would like to recognize Andrew Solonas Sr. and the late Achille Chingeefor the sacrifices they made for Our Freedom.150military service recognition Book