Saskatchewan Lt. Governor to present Queen with unique Support Our Troops pin

The Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Vaughn Solomon Schofield, recently commissioned an 18K gold and yellow sapphire Support Our Troops pin for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Meant to symbolize appreciation for the Canadian Armed Forces, the pin also brings attention to the Lt.Gov.’s upcoming Support Our Troops Gala.

Schofield was first inspired to hold a Support Our Troops Gala after being on a committee for a similar gala held in Regina in 2010. The event was very successful.

“I believe that we don’t thank enough the men and women who sacrifice to serve in our military. Service comes with costs, for the individual and his or her family. The least we can do is support our military families and to say ‘thank you.’

“The Gala will not only raise funds to assist valuable military charities, it will be a public symbol of thanks,” explained Schofield.

The beneficiaries of the Gala will be Military Family Services (MFS) and Soldier On and His Excellency The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, has agreed to serve as Honorary Patron of the national gala.

In honour of this Gala and considering the royal family’s involvement with the military, Schofield commissioned the Support Our Troops pin from Hillberg & Berk.

“Our Queen has spoken eloquently and powerfully about the role of those who have served our nation. Clearly, she shares my deep appreciation of our military people, and I look forward to seeing her wear the yellow ribbon pin in tribute to all who sacrifice to serve,” said Schofield.

Two replicas of the yellow ribbon were also crafted by Hillberg & Berk’s, retailing from $75 to $125. One pin is encrusted with crystals while the other is made of gold with three crystals, representing the Army, Navy and Air Force. Proceeds from the sale of these pins will go to MFS and Soldier On.

The Queen and members of the royal family are appointed colonel-in-chief for close to 40 regiments in Canada. Schofield notes that “these are appointments they take very seriously,” stating the Earl of Wessex visited Saskatchewan last year to honour his regiment, the Saskatchewan Dragoons.

This is the second time the Queen has been presented with a pin by the Lt. Gov. of Saskatchewan. In 2013, Hillberg & Berk partnered with Schofield for the first time to create a contemporary floral brooch. Schofield then had the chance to present this brooch to Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace in Oct. 2013.

“As Canada’s Head of State, it made sense to honour her with the fist pin. Also, The Queen and the entire Royal Family have been very involved in the British Military, and are equally supportive of the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Schofield.

The Queen has been seen wearing the brooch on numerous occasions, most recently at the Royal Ascot horse races in 2014. The brooch is set in 18K white gold and features Madagascar tourmaline, a white freshwater pearl and 300 diamonds. It is valued at $15,000.

The Support Our Troops Gala will be held Nov. 5, 2016. Details will be announced throughout the year. To learn more about the Support Our Troops Gala visit www.supportourtroopsgala.com or on Facebook.