The Veterans Club of Barrie held a dinner for Veterans at the Barrie Legion on Thursday September 24, 2026. 

The Guest Speaker for the evening was Phillip Badanai, who talked about his experience while on a UN peacekeeping mission with the Royal Canadian Regiment in Croatia in 1994. 

Phillip was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his actions at the time.  The citation for his decoration states that Private Badanai was returning in a small-wheeled vehicle from a routine escort mission in Croatia on December 31, 1994, when he and his passenger were suddenly fired upon by approximately twenty armed Serb soldiers gathered on both sides of the road. Despite the agony of multiple injuries, Private Badanai accelerated through and clear of the ambush and drove his badly damaged vehicle thirteen kilometres, in darkness, to reach the Unit Medical Station. His initiative and determination under fire, devotion to duty, and calm, courageous actions saved both his own and his passenger's lives.