Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25

DECEMBER 2018 DISPATCH

Royal Canadian Legion Br. 2596 Great Northern Rd

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B 4Y5Phone: 705-945-8721

Fax: 705-945-6372Ladies Auxiliary: 705-256-2941

Lounge: 705-256-6921E-mail: rclbranch25@shawbiz.caWebsite: www.branch25rcl.org

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Quote of the Day –

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgivenessTo an opponent, toleranceTo a friend, your heartTo a customer, serviceTo all, charityTo every child, a good exampleTo yourself, respect

President’s Report – Respectfully submitted by Wilma OliverNovember was a very busy month heree at the Branch. I want to thank all those who worked on this year’s Poppy Campaign. The Poppy Campaign is a major event for our Branch and many people worked long hours to make it a success.Remembrance Day, commemorating the 100th

anniversary of the ending of WWI, was very special this year thanks to Ernie Bremner and his organizing committee. A very special thanks to our guest speaker Patti Knox and also to our local Cadet Corps. Of note also, this year’s Dinsdale award went to Comrade Mary Anne Martin. Well deserved Mary Anne!!Several senior members of the Branch received long service awards at our Honours and Awards banquet: 50 year medals went to Cmds. Lyle MacLeod, Gerry Gionelle, and Alan Ward; 55 year bar to Cmd. John Lacasse; 60 year bar to Cmd Alan Cudlipp; 70 year bar to Cmd. Fred Middleton. Congratulations to all our long service members.

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At this event, we were honoured to present Life Membership Awards to Cmd. Edar Rowe and Cmd. Ernie Bremner. The final award presented was the Legionaire of the year to Cmd. Helen Stewart. Congratulations to all.We have been experiencing a troubling problem of late. That being a serious decline in members attending our General Meetings. Last month for instance, we had so few members we could not conduct any business of a monetary nature. This means some bills can’t get paid. It is imperative that a quorum is established in order to vote on motions of all kinds. This is your Legion and we need your input to do our everyday business. Please make a better effort to attend so that we can have your input into the everyday operations of your Legion.As the year 2018 is drawing to a close, I want to remind everyone that 2019 is an election year. We are making an effort to let you know what is involved as the chair of the various committees by having the present chairs give short summary of the duties involved in their chair here at our General meetings. We intend to also provide a written description of the various positions on the Executive for all to peruse, to consider if there is a postiion where you might like to serve your Legion. Please think about it. Our nomination meeting will be held in April and the election meeting will take place in May. There will be a nomination box with ballots in the lounge beginning in March.My term of office will end this coming year and I will not be running for President of the new Executive. (I will be running vigorously for Past President!)

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I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year.

Members of the executive of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 were presented a cheque today by the Metro, Churchill Plaza Branch in the amount of $7220.00The Legion is extrememly grateful to Metro’s manager, Peter Disisto and his staff for this very generous donation. The funds were raised at a BBQ held at the Metro Churchill Plazza store on July 17th – a staff social, and includes donations from local businesses. The Legion would like to thank Peter and his staff and volunteers who made this possible, including the students from Superior Heights, Korah Collegiate and St. Mary’s who helped with the BBQ. This is the second year for the BBQ at Metro Churchill

Plaza. In the above picture are L-R:

Eric Tibbon, Asst.

Manager, Ernie Bremner, Br.f 25’s 1st VP, Wilma Oliver – Branch 25’s President,

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Heather Matte, Front End Manager, Peter Disisto, Store Manager, Debie Rouleau – Br.f 25’s PRO and Joe Manzo, Grocery Manager.There will be a Notice of Motion presented at the Wed. Dec. 5th General Meeting. Please pay particular attention to this as it affects our Policies and Procedures for Branch 25.

Since there will be an Executive election coming up (watch in March), is time to think about joining the board. Give it a good thought.

Reports Respectfully submitted by Mary Anne Martin

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of my comrades a very Merry Christmas with your families and friend and all good things to come your way in the New Year.Entertainment: The band line up for December is:

Dec. 1st – Nostalgia LiveDec 8 & 15 – RF WaveDec. 22nd – NO DANCE Dec. 29 – Nostalgia Live Please join us in the lounge for our Christmas special on December 15th – music by RF Wave, prizes to be won and lot of fun. Cost is by donation.Once again we are having a New Year’s Party in the lounge on December 31st. Music by Dusty Roads, prizes to be won, snacks to eat and lot of fun. Cost is $5.To win any of the prizes, you have to be in the lounge when the names are drawn.Sick & Visiting – I have been busy shopping and preparing Christmas packages for all of our

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Veterans/Spouses/Members in the six nursing homes, hospital and recovering at home. There are about 90 all together.Seniors – The Carpet bowlers continue on until Monday Dec. 17th when they take a break and return January 7th.

The matinee dances wind up with a party on Wednesday December 19th from 2 – 4 PM. We are expecting some VIPs to be present. Please join us for an afternoon of fun and good music. We will return on January 9th., 2019

Veterans Week – as usual it was a huge success. Helping out this year, were Cadets: MWO Cassandra Breckenridge and MWO Gracie Assignak and myself.

Bursary – Respectfully submitted by Warren PihlajaTo all of our Veterans: If you, or your child, grandchild or great-grandchild are attending College or University next year, please take advantage of the Bursary Program available through the Legion. Application forms are here at the Branch and must be received to the appropriate people by the last Friday in March. Sounds like a long time away, but it will creep up.

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The Ladies Auxiliary to Branch 25 also have a bursary award, however, it is for Veterans only – please take advantage of that as well.

Public Relations – Respectfully submitted by Debbie Rouleau

Do you live in an apartment building? If your landlord allows posting information on a community bulletin board in your building, we would appreciate being able to put posters up regarding upcoming Legion events.

We would be willing to e-mail you a poster, if you can post it for us. Please e-mail us at rclbranch25@shawbiz.ca if you can participate in this.

Membership– Respectfully submitted by Helen Stewart

November’s Early Bird Draw winners: Ronald Halfpenny; Willard “Sonny” Armstrong; Barbara D. Arthur; Geoffrey Wm. Shaw; Brian Hudson. This was the last go around.Thank-you to all who paid their membership during the early bird campaign.

It isn’t enough just to join – we need you to help with some of our endeavours. If you are willing to give a few hours/week or per month that would be a tremendous burden off the shoulders of your Executive.

Something I read on the internet:

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If you wish me Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Merry Christmas, I would be so very pleased that you took the time to wish me good things. So in my way, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest and Healthiest of New Years. May your first foot be tall and dark – may they carry a lump of coal, salt, a piece of shortbread and a wee dram to bring you the best of luck throughout the coming year.

Track & Field and Cadet Report – Respectfully submitted by Pierre Breckenridge

Track & Field – no report

Cadets – A huge thanks to the local cadets from Branch 25 Royal Canadian Legion for their outstanding service to the Branch and Veterans. It makes me extremely proud to be a CIC Officer when I see the commitment demonstrated by these young men and women.They raised thousands of dollars to support Veterans and other Legion approved pograms during this year’s poppy campaign.In addition, members of 2310 Army Cadets, 155 Air Cadets and a representative of 46 Sea Cadets provided a tremendous amount of assistance to the Branch to enhance the Remembrance Day activities.These young citizens were profession in their assistance and commitment in their work.

Comrade President Wilma and Comrade Ernie thanked

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the cadet participants the following week at their units.

Top Left is: Cadet Rozel with President Wilma Oliver. Top right is MBdr Monpetit with 1st Vice

Ernie Bremner and the picture to the left are twin Cadets Olivia and Alexandra Cadham. The cadets and staff were presented with a special branch pin in recognition of their contribution to the success of the 100th

anniversary Remembrance ceremony.Senior members of the three local Cadet Corps will be attending the level 5 PO 513 workshop in North Bay. The workshop is intended to provide information and networking opportunities for the Srs. To use at their Local Headquarters. The cadet has to volunteer and be selected by their CO.

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The Cadet Corps will be hosting their annual Christmas celebration and dinners in the next few weeks following a much needed Christmas break.I would like to personally thank the Cadets, adult Officers and Volunteers for their ongoing work and community service to the Legion and the City.May we all find time to spend with our family and friends as we celebrate this Christmas season and have a happy and prosperous New Year.

Building & Sports – Respectfully submitted by Rick Pihlaja

We are awaiting a part for the rooftop HVAC system.

Youth Education Respectfully submitted by Pat Vardy

The 2018 Remembrance Day Poster & Literary contest submissions were delivered to Branch 25 on or before November 16th. Over 140 submissions were received from 9 schools.This year’s Poster and Literary submissions reflected how the youth of our city truly honour our Veterans and all those who we remember on Remembrance Day.Branch 25 has instituted a new Award associated with thePoster & Literary Contest. The school award acknowledges the school that has the most submissions. The elementary school winner was Greenwood Public School and the secondary school winner was Superior Heights C&Vs.Branch 25 is thankful to the classroom teachers who keep the candle of remembrance lit in their classes.

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The next event for Youth Education will be the Annual Public Speaking Contest which will be held in the New Year.

LAST POST – WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Veteran Joe LauzonVeteran Ian Hollingsworth

Veteran Keith MitchellVeteran Donald Nelson Oliver

Ways & Means Respectfully submitted by Betty Irvine

The 2019 Calendar is in the house!!! It is also available at the Wishing Well in Cambrian Mall and several other places throughout the city.The cost is the same $20 each and make a terrific Christmas, Birthday, or whatever gift.The Remembrance Day 50/50 draw was won by: Elane Turner totalling $332. Thank-you to everyone for the support. The next lounge 50/50 will be in the summer time.

December Veteran Birthdays

Missed in November (sorry) Frank Joliceour, December – John Lacasse, J. R. McDonald, Albert Grooks, G.E. Roberts, Vaino Humalamaki, Sean MacNamara, Thomas Bender, H. Storch, A. Golder, Gladys Jarrett, Normand Bourgeois, Curtis Abbott, Brian Wardlaw, Terry Hoad-Reddick, Scott Kirkwood

MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY11

November Monthly Draw Winners

$2000 – Patricia Biron – Ticket # 6743$1000 – Dianne Pigeon – Ticket # 0800

$500 – Gary Simms – Ticket # 4942

CONGRATULATIONS!!

November 2018 winners of calendar lottery(at time of printing)

James Dukes, Amanda Farquhar, Walter Zurby, Don DiDonato, Teresa Caravaggio, Bonnie Strom, Changel Brock, Sarah Lowe, Jakob Oliver, Jessika Baic, Patricia Berry, Susan Romiti, James Piaskoski, Sarah Smith, Laurie Hubley, Armand Morneau, Kathy Nisbet, Josie Long, Kevin Goheen, Sheila Smith, Chantelle & Bill Reid, Tom & Nancy Worthing, Diane Beattie, Wonda Mitchell, Jessike Baic, Marion D. Seymour, Armand Morneau, John Findlay, Gordon Orr, Allison Radke & Joe Boulanger

**NEW** Legion HapKiDo

The instructors of the new Legion Martial Arts Club would like to thank the Executive Committee and the membership of the Legion for allowing us to represent the Legion and giving us a home to train in. It is our intent to provide Legion members, Cadets, their families, and citizens of Sault Ste. Marie with quality martial arts instruction.

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At the same time, we hope to generate revenue for the local Legion branch, and we intend to do that by pledging to donate 100% of the dues we collect to the local branch.In addition, you will find us in the Legion lounge after class to help boost the bar income whenever we can, and three of our members joined the Legion in order to support the Legion activities in other ways as well. Indeed, one of our members has joined the band and the others will support the poppy drive. It is our intent to be active members.The Legion martial arts club will not limit itself to just teaching self-defense…we will also teach valuable life skills to our students. In fact, the life skill of being self-sufficient is the reason why we can donate the dues we collect to the Legion. We will cover our own needs by doing fundraisers such as Stags, car washes etc., and our first fundraiser to purchase some safety equipment will be here at the Branch on Friday February 22nd., at 5 pm. We sincerely hope some of our Legion comrades will join us so we can get better acquainted and give you the opportunity to learn more about us. Tickets are $25 for the benefit and are available from our members. There will be a silent auction and we will have the usual array of games and other activities going on. We will round off the evening with a nice martial arts demo and dancing to the tunes of Hound Sound.

DON’T FORGET WE STILL COLLECT

1. Pop Tabs: Every tab you bring in is gratefully received. Please continue to bring them.

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2. Pop cans for the Shriners to compact and sell the scrap metal for donations to their children’s hospital projects.3. Canadian Tire Money is used for the children’s Christmas Party.4. Used eyeglasses are shipped to third world countries.5. Lock City Milk Bags . All of the money must be used for youth activities so we basically use it for our children’s Christmas party. Keep those bags coming in!! We can only recycle Lock City Milk bags, all other brands are discarded.The monies we collect stay locally. None of our pop tab, milk bags or Canadian Tire money goes out of town. Strictly local.

UPCOMING EVENTS

ROBBIE BURNS NIGHT - Saturday January 19th., 2019 – Tickets are: $25 for members and $30 for non-members. The tickets are available now through the office or at the bar. Don’t miss out on a fantastic evening’s entertainment.

Need a Hair Cut!!Laura Harten has over 30 yrs. experience as a Barber and was deployed to Kabul Afghanistan as

a Barber in 2005 for Canadian and NATO soldiers. Laura invites all existing and new customers to the 512 Queen St. E. salon.

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Laura will be available to cut your hair on Wednesday  9-5 ,Thursday’s 9-5, Friday’s 9-5 and Sat 9-2. Lots of Free Parking in the Bingham and Spring St. Parking Lots. FROM THE FRONT LINES – WEEKLY EDITIONINSIDE AFGHANISTAN: POLITICS, WAR AND BUZKASHI – Story & photography by Stephen J. Thorne

Few can claim a national game as violent or influential as Afghanistan has in buzkhashi.The country in which Canadian soldier fought for 13 years is home to a deceptively complex society. A buzkashi (pronounced BOO-skeh-shee), which dates to the times of Genghis Khan, is a deceptively complex game that over the centuries has become woven into the fabric of Afghanistan’s warrior culture, its politics and power. In fact, Buzkashi: Game and Power in Afghanistan is the title of an insightful book by former American diplomat G. Whitney Azoy. Azoy was based in Kabul in 1972 when a local friend poo-poo’d the high-society circles in which most diplomats mingled and told him that if he wanted to understand Afghanistan, he had to understand buzkashi. With that Azo quit the diplomatic corps, returned to the U.S. and earned a PhD in anthropology. In the course of his studies, he went back to Afghanistan and spent three years on horseback, making notes and taking pictures as he followed buzkashi matches around the country, mostly across the region of its roots, the Tajik north. Bazkashi is a grant and brutal game, vaguely akin to polo on steroids. More on this medieval warfare at: legionmaaine.com

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2017-2019 Officers/Executive & Committee Chair

President – Wilma OliverPast President– Marilyn Isaacson

1st. Vice/ Sgt. @ Arms & Honours & Awards and T.OD. – Ernie Bremner

2nd. Vice – Ron Rouleau – Service Officer & Museum Curator

3rd. Vice – Wm. Bennett – Cenotaph & Donation ReviewSecretary/Poppy Chair – Rob Gardner

Srs/Entert/Sick & Visiting – Mary Anne MartinTreasurer – Carol Piper

Youth Education – Pat VardyBranch Padre(s) Rev. Phil Miller

Capt. Pat VardyMrs. Helen Smith

Bar Chair – NONEBuilding & Mtce. and Sports – Rick Pihlaja

Bursary – Warren PihlajaMembership – Helen Stewart

PRO – Debbie RouleauT&F and Cadet Liaison – Pierre Breckenridge

Burial – Elane TurnerWays & Means – Betty Irvine

If there is anything any one of us can do, please do not hesitate to contact the office (705-945-8721). The Legion is here to help, please help us to do that.

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