Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25

MARCH 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

Wishing you all THAT pot of gold

STEW & BISCUITS W/DESSERT – SAT. MARCH 17$10/PERSON

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Quote of the Month:

1. Leave the beaten track behind occasionally and dive into the woods. Every time you do, you will be certain to find something you have never seen before – Alexander Graham Bell.

2. One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than 50 preaching it – Knute Rockne

President’s Report – Respectfully submitted by Wilma Oliver

On February 8th – there was an opening ceremony at the Sault Ste. Marie Museum to celebrate Branch 25’s 90th

anniversary and 2310 Army Cadet’s 70th. There were the invited few for the opening on the 8th. Below are some pictures of that event. Please go to the Museum to see this exciting display – it is there until May.

L-R Capt. Marc Boissoneau, Capt. Cal King, Major Pierre Breckenridge, Major Pasquale Crepeau-Breckenridge, Capt. Roy Harten, and

Annetta Golder

Below: 2

L-R 2310 Royal Canadian Army Cadets Warrant Officers Kaylee Marcil, Cassandra

Breckenridge and Grace Assignack. Picture courtesy Darren Taylor/sootoday.com

The Restructuring Committee is working hard at finding us a smaller facility as well as looking for answers for this building. We are in contact with Provincial Command for their advice and recommendations as we proceed.For March we are promoting our Annual St. Patricks Stew & Biscuits in the Lounge on the 17th. Tickets are $10 each and are available in the office or at the bar. We are hoping for another successful event as in years past.I want to mention the Zone Convention here on March 24th., 2018. Branch 25 is hosting this event and if you would like to attend, please call the office and leave your name. It is a one-day event this year. There will be no banquet.Looking ahead to April. On the 15th (a Sunday) we are holding a spring clean up here at the Branch. We are hoping for lots of volunteers to help us out and give this Branch a freshening up for Spring. Hope to see you there.

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I also want to thank all those who came in to help with cleaning and maintenance of the building while our caretaker Gary was off work unexpetedly.

Ladies Auxiliary President Report – Respectfully submitted by Wendy Phillips

We had a great turnout for our Family Pasta Night. Our next one is March 28 and again we will need of more of your delicious desserts.I wish to thank the ladies that came out to roll metballs and also to the ladies that manned the ovens.On the weekend of March 9th, 10th, 11th we have 5 cribbage teams going to Calendar. We wish you safe trips and all good hands. Have fun ladies and enjoy your comradeship. Our meeting on March 14th is our Sandra Younge night. The meeting will be at 7 pm. We will be playing bingo and darts. We will have pizza and beverages. Ladies – come out and enjoy.Remember March 11th we turn our clocks ahead an hour.Let’s not forget to wish Laila Carlson a very happy 80th

birthday on March 26th. Thank-you for all your hard work Laila.

1 st V-P/Honours & Awards/Sgt @ Arms Report – Respectfully submitted by Ernie Bremner

Canada’s Victoria Cross has yet to be awarded – story and photograph by Stephen J. Thorne (via the Legion magazine)

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The Victoria Cross is the highest recognition for military valour a soldier can receive, yet not one has been awarded since the Canadian version was created in 1993, despite a number of heroic individual actions by Canadians in Afghanistan.

Twenty members of the Canadian Armed Forces received the Star of Military Valour, the second highest Canadian award for valour, for actions during the 13-year war, all of them jaw-dropping examples of courage.

Lt-Col. Carl Gauthier, the military’s director of honours and recognition says ‘It’s not that we didn’t want to award one. It’s simply that nobody met that very very high standard for a Victoria Cross ation. If one had, I can assure you, it would have been awarded.’You can read more of this story at: legionmagazine.com

2 nd V-P/Museum Reports Respectfully submitted by Ron Rouleau

This past year and lately I have had a number of calls from Veterans’ widdows requesting assistance with grounds maintenance from Veterans Affairs. Unfortunately, the majority do not have coverage as their husbands did not apply for VIP (Veterans Independent Program) prior to their death. VIP offers a large number of services for which, if eligible, you may apply. To qualify, the Veteran must meet one of the following requirements:

Have qualified for a disability pension for impairment due to military service.

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Must be receiving war Veteran’s allowance. Must have applied for prisoner of war compensation. Must be eligible for contract hospital bed, but unable

to access due to bed shortage.Some of the service Veterans Affairs offers:

Grounds maintenance Grass mowing Snow removal Houskeeping services such as: a) assisting homeless

veterans find lodging; b) house cleaning; c) laundry; d) meal preparation; e) errand running; f) bathing (CCAC); g) meals on wheels; h) health assessments; j) transportation to social activities; k) nursing care; l) medical cannabis; m) mental health counselling.

Should you need assistance in applying for these or other services, please contact the Legion office at 705-945-8721.

NEW INFO Sherry Culling, our Provincial Service Officer will be in the Branch the week of April 19 th. If you have concerns or wish to speak with Sherry, please call the office and leave your name, service #, and the reason for your visit. We will set up an appointment for you and let you know what specific day she is coming.

3 rd V-P/Cenotaph/Charitable Donations

I’m looking for volunteers to help man a booth for the Veterans Commemorative Monument (VCM). The booth is manned in 2-hour increments. i.e. if we are at the mall from 10 am – 4 pm then it is 10-12; 12-2; 2-4 shifts, we like

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to have two people at the booth at the same time to make it easier to work.We will sit down and outline the project and pair you up with one of the other members. Anyone interested in helping ‘please’ leave your name and phone number in my mailbox in the office. Thank-you.

Secretary Reports Respectfully submitted by Mary Anne Martin

Monday – Carpet Bowling at 1:30 PM - $2/person AND band practice upstairs at 8 pm – all welcome

Tuesday/Thursday is Darts upstairs Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday is Pint and Nacho

days. Buy a 20 oz. glass of your favourite draught and get Nachos for $7.50

Wednesday is the Ballroom Style Dancing - $2/person upstairs (Happy Days Band) and Acoustic Jam in the Lounge – tuning at 7

Thursday – Bingo Upstairs – 1PM and Meat Draw downstairs at 3:00 PM (Prime Cuts, City Meats or Scale Meats vouchers - $1/spin)

Friday Night Pool – 7 PM Karaoke is every Friday from 9 PM to 1 AM Of Course there’s the Saturday Night dances – see

the schedule below:

Entertainment - The Saturday bands for March

3rd. Dusty Roads 10th Full Circle

17th Full Cirlce 24th R F Waver

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31st. Full Circle

Really good news!! Nostalgia Live will be returning to the lounge in April, as Barb has recovered from her stroke and is back singing and playing her keyboard.

On March 17th during the Irish Stew Supper, Comrade Harry Wynn will be entertaining us with his accordion, then Full Circle will carry on with some Irish music from 8-11. There will be four grab bag prizes to give away. The catch is you will have to be present in the lounge to win.

Sick & Visiting – The March goodie bags will be done up for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter this time as both are quite close together. If any comrades have gift bags they have no place for, I am quite willing to take them off your hands.

Seniors – Hey comrades we have made it back into the Community Events in Sault This Week with a nice picture of Helen & Ron.

Classic Car Show – The fourth annual car show and barbecue will be on July 7th., 2018 More information in the next Dispatch.

Foot Care – Debby Dorval – Advanced Diabetic Foot Care Nurse can do house calls and can bill directly to Veterans Affairs. Cost is $40. Please call her at: 705-297-1659 or by e-mail: footcarebyfabs@gmail.com

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SENIORS’ HEALTH CARE IN ALGOMA

Putting together the pieces of the puzzle: Advocating for yourself and othersKeynote Speaker: Elaine Burr, BScN, MHA patient flow lead, North East Local Health Integration NetworkMARCH 21, 2018 at Grand Gardens North, 1324 Great Northern Rd from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Please PRE-REGISTER with Tiffany at 705-942-4646 Ext. 3058Limited transportation available with pick up at Seniors’ Centres on Bay St. and Goulais Ave., and the Indian Friendship Centre, 122 East St.

Pieces of the Puzzle include

Primary Care Hope Care Hospital System Long Term Care Palliative Card and End of Life Care

Registration 8:30 am – 9:00 amConference – 9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Lunch and snacks will be provided

Membership– Respectfully submitted by Helen Stewart

New members at the February meeting – welcome one and all. Since taking over the Membership Chair role, we have had 8 new Ordinary Members, 12 Associate

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Members, and 7 Affiliate Members. We have also had 5 transfers in from other Branches or Dominion Command. Sadly during the time span from March 2017 – present, we have had 19 Veterans pass away and 3 comrades. We started with approx.. 599 members and we are now at 609 (approx..) We are making strides in the right direction, but it is very sad that we are losing our Veterans and Comrades at such a high rate. Please tell your friends to join this amazing organization.

A month or so ago, I had hoped that we could beat our 63% membership renewal rate of the previous year. WELL!!! Dominion Command has sent out it’s ‘Paid Membership Zone & District Detail report’ 2017 – which gives us a breakdown of all Branches in the District. The Previous Voting Year we had 617 members and 579 of them are Current Voting which means we had a (sit down) 93.84% renewal rate as of January 31st., 2018. I am gob smacked! I want to thank everyone who renewed and to Betty for making all the calls and for everyone involved. What a terrific Branch we have! Thank-you all so very much, it’s going to be tough to beat.

As an aside – the Pancake Breakfasts are doing very well. This past Sunday (Feb. 25) we cleared over $780 (and yes, that’s taking off the daily cost for the hall). Thankyou to Laurie (Anonymous), Marilyn and Betty for their generus donation. We had 4 people from Soo College helping out.

Comrade Elly McWatters’ Global Citizenship class.

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L-R Bryce Huntington, Garrett Goodfellow, James Vinnels-Bell and Elly doling out breakfast.

L-R James Vinnels-Bell, Laurie MacKenzie, Helen Stewart, Bryce Huntington, Mike McWatters. In back there is

Garrett Goodfellow and Comrade Elly McWatters

We even had the birthday boy 10 year old Sebastian Sylvester with his Gramma Dawne Schryer enjoying breakfast.

In case you are wondering – the branch offers Celebrations of Life downstairs in the lounge at no cost. It is a friendly, comfortable place to gather to remember your loved ones. You do NOT need to be a veteran, NOR a member – just

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someone who wants friends and family to be comfortable and remember. You are allowed to bring your own food in and we will set up a memorabilia table for you if you wish. The bar is open for those wishing refreshments, and the coffee is on. You need not use the Royal Canadian Legion as your donation of choice.

There will be a silent auction set up in the Lounge from Monday March 5th until Monday March 26th. Please be generous. Youth Education – Respectfully submitted by Pat Vardy

L-R Max Vommaro, Aarna Kasundra, Tye Turco along with President Wilma J. OliverOn Saturday February 24th., the Branch held their annual Public Speaking Contest. We had 24 participants from Grades 1 through 12 and approx. 165 spectators.

Going on to Zone at Branch 374 St. Joseph Island March 3rd are: Primary – Grades 1-3 – First Place – Max Vommaro from St. Paul’s Catholic Elementary School with a topic on “Chores” Junior – Grades

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4-6 – First Place – Nevaeh Pine from Eastview Public School with a topic of “The Jingle Dress”L-R Lundyn Bealieu, Nevaeh Pine, Tate Turco with President Wilma J. Oliver

Intermediate – Grades 7-9 – First Place was actually a tie even with the tie-breaker – Tarmari McMaster from Tarentorus Public School with a topic of “Unusual Jobs” AND Darshan Kasundra from St. Basil’s Catholic Elementary with a topic of “Logic vs Faith”.

We believe this is the first time we have ever had a tie that could not be broken. Well done!!

L-R Emily Simard, Tamari McMaster, Darshan Kasundra and Thomas Copps with President Wilma J. Oliver

There were no senior applications.

Many thanks to all of those who volunteered to enjoy the day with these talented young people. We much appreciate the support of Captain Brown from 155 Air Cadet Squadron for volunteering four cadets (Flight Sgt. Troy

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Wooley, Cpls. Alicia Stephney and Kaila Hebbert and newbie Nick Socchia).

Navy League cadet Justice Palen gave his presentation and then jumped over to help where required. Justice is the great-grandson of our own Ann Robichaud.

Thank-you to the Algoma District School Board and the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board for their on-going support for the Youth Education program here at the Branch.    

NEWS FLASH!! – while at Zone Public Speaking on Sat. March 3rd., both our Primary (Max Vommaro) and our Junior (Neveah Pine) won first place and will be going to the District competition. Congratulations and Good Luck!

A special thank-you goes out to the owner/operator of All Start Trophies & Design on McNabb St. I had been out of town just prior to the Speaking competition and went on Friday to pick up the medals etc. The store was closed! In a panicked mode I asked the people in the barbershop next door if they knew the owner/operator – they did – I contacted the owner, who was kind enough to come in and open the shop so I could get the medals. Lessons learned – read the door open/closed hours. Many thanks!        

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

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Cadets – Members of the Legion executive along with Officers and Cadets from 2310 Army attended the Museum exhibit opening on February 8th. The Legion and Army cadets have a joint exhibit running until May to celebrate their anniversaries.The Regional biathlon competition happened Feb. 10 and 11 with members of the 2310 Army cadets having a very competitive showing in their events. WO Marcil placed second in the youth race. WO Breckenridge and WO Marcil came 4th in the relay race with the boys placing 7th

in their relay race. CPO Derrick Rouleau from 46 Sea assisted as a staff cadet and will be attending the National competition in PEI as a cadet coach. This past weekend cadets from the 46 Sea, 2310 Army and 155 Air competed in the zone air rifle competition held at the Armory. Unfortunately due to inclement weather, the three out of town units were unable to attend. The local Corps completed their shooting and the awards will be presented once the other units complete the targets. The top teams will represent the area at the Provincials in April.

All three Corps are preparing for the upcoming Band and Drill competition to be held in North Bay in the spring. L-R 638 Air Cadet (Pembroke) Bronze: 167 Air Cadet Squadron Marshall Bishop CV (Owen Sound) and W-) Kayle Marcil, 2310 Army Cadets (Sault Ste. Marie)

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Bursary Report –

Respectfully submitted by Warren Pihlaja

The Bursary Assistance Program is open to students of:Ex-Servicemen or currently serving members of the Canadian Forces (regular, reserve and Merchant Navy) and their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; also, Ordinary and Life Members of the Royal Canadian Legion and their children and grandchildren as well as Ladies Auxiliary members and their children and grandchildren.

Apply early to avoid being disappointed!

Required DocumentationOSAP DocumentationSchool Endorsement

Bursary Assistance ApplicationMembership verification from the Branch

Proof of Service – discharge certificate/record of service(proof of relationship required)

You may come into the office for an application, or get one on line at: http://www.on.legion.ca

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On the left of the page is Youth Education, click there and scroll down to Bursary – you can download English or French version of Bursary Application. There is also a list of requirements that should be read.

2018-2019 SCHOLASTIC YEAR NOW OPEN

2018-2019 STARTS IN SEPTEMBER 2017 AND THE DEADLINE IS THE LAST FRIDAY IN MARCH 2018  (which is the 30 th and also Good Friday – suggest you get it there on the Thursday 29 th ). The Bursary Program is designed to assist those students who are entering or continuing their post-secondary education (including courses and training programs of a technical and vocational nature) and pursue the same course throughout their academic years.

Approved bursary assistance is not based upon scholastic standing but rather on the successful admission status to a post-secondary institution or successful completion of one or more years leading to a recognized degree, diploma or certificate.

The Bursary Program is funded through the Ontario Command Branches and Ladies' Auxiliaries Charitable Foundation. Ontario Command branches, and our Auxiliaries, raise funds for the Bursary Program through Poppy Tagging, and other activities such as Bingo, Break Open Tickets, Banquets and Clubhouse Operations.

The 2018 version of the Bursary application are available in the office. Students applying for assistance may be

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granted a Bursary based on documented need in the amount of $750 per scholastic year (Sept-Aug) as determined by the District Bursary Committee.

Public Relations – Respectfully Submitted by Debbie Rouleau

As we all know, the best advertising is ‘word of mouth’ – please help us promote the events in the Dispatch by telling your friends and family. Let your people know about upcoming events so they can come and participate, and also let them know what a good time you’ve had after being at a Legion dance, pancake breakfast, pasta supper, Friday night Karaoke, playing pool or darts, etc. Our Legion can only help support our veterans if we can bring in income from these fun activities.

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.

It’s great to try new things, our Shrove Pancake Supper was a good example of that. We served over 70 great suppers and no-one went away hungry! Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who helped out that day; I’m sure next year’s will be bigger and better – spread the news!

Don’t forget to go down to the Sault Ste. Marie Museum to see the wonderful display to commemorate the Legion

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and 2310 Army Cadets anniversaries. Thanks to Pierre Breckenridge and Ron Rouleau who helped gather the items together, and to Julia Piskiewicz, the talented Director/Curator at the Museum for creating a great display. Museum hours are Tuesday to Saturday – 9:30 am – 5 pm

Thanks to continued support from Jodi Peters who maintains our Legion Facebook page, and assists with advertising. Please feel free to ‘like’ our page, to receive information on upcoming events.

LAST POST – WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Comrade Joan GardVeteran Guy Duguay

March Veteran Birthdays

Marilyn Abbott, Vance Boulet, Cornelius Vanderburg, Anthony Grazsulis, Tom Arbour, L. W. Brooks, Dave Stokes, W.D. Millroy, Fred Hajschrek, A.J. Leblanc, Clyde Healey, Leigh Coull, J. Gobet, Anne Halford

MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY

Ways & Means Respectfully submitted by Betty IrvineFebruary Monthly Draw Winners

$2000 – David St. Jean – Ticket # 0227$1000 – Rick Venables – Ticket # 3583

$500 – Norm & Norma Cardiff – Ticket # 2372

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February 2018 winners of calendar lottery

Brianna Fleury, Terry Tweedle, Jim Hammerberg, Brenda Wilson, Caroline Dukes, Pat O’Hearn, Reg & Mary Nott, Jim Best, Mr. & Mrs. M. King, Michelle Forget, Leonard Hunter, Hazel Lapansee Platt, Stephenie Twardzik, Joe & Marg Nadeau, Caroline Kostanowicz, Ruth Lang, Wanda Naccarato, Ian Fortin, Shane Desanti, Wayne Beharriell, Normand Frappier, Sherri MacPherson, Bill Valois, Laura Farrell, Josh Findlay & Kayla Bumbacco, Jody Chojnowski, Susan Gervais,

URGENTLY REQUIRED

We desperately need people to work in the Board Room on General Meeting day to do the tickets. If you can spare 2 hours per month (first Wednesday of eachmonth) to sort tickets, please contact the office 705-945-8721

HELP REQUIRED – A Great Endeavour

The Veterans Commemorative Memorial group are in dire need of an individual with computing and research skills. If you are willing to donate your time to this worthy cause – please contact the Branch 705-945-8721 or contact Clyde Healey directly at: clydehealey@shaw.ca Thank-you!!

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THIS IS WHAT ALL US 70+YEAR OLDS HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO

The people who lived in this particular assisted living centre have small apartments, but they all eat at a central cafeteria. One morning, one of the residents didn’t show up for breakfast so we went upstairs and knocked on his door to see if everything was ok. We could hear him through the door and he said that he was running late and would be down shortly so we went back to the dining area. An hour later, he still hadn’t arrived so we went back up towards his room and we found him on the stairs. He was coming down but was having a heck of a time. He had a death grip on the hand rail and seemed to have trouble getting his legs to work right. We told him we were going to call an ambulance, but he said no, he wasn’t in any pain and just wanted to have his breakfast. We helped him the rest of the way down and he had his breakfast. When he tried to return to his room, he was completely unable to get up even the first step so we did call an ambulance. A couple of hours later, we called the hospital to see how he was doing. The receptionist there said he was fine, he just had both of his legs in one leg of boxer shorts.

- And speaking of Old Farts – (thanks to Art Denning)

OLD FART PRIDE It's not a bad thing to be called an Old Fart.Old Farts are easy to spot at sporting events; during the National Anthem, Old Farts remove their hats and stand at attention and sing without embarrassment. They know the words and believe in them.

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Old Farts remember World War II, Normandy , Spitfires and Hitler. They remember the Atomic Bomb, Vietnam , the Korean War, the Cold War, the Moon Landing and all the Peacekeeping Missions from 1945 to 2005.If you bump into an Old Fart on the pavement, he will apologize. If you pass an Old Fart on the street, he will nod or tip his cap to a lady. Old Farts trust strangers and are polite, particularly to women.Old Farts hold the door for the next person and always, when walking, make certain the lady is on the inside for protection.Old Farts get embarrassed if someone swears in front of women and children and they don't like any filthy language on TV.Old Farts have moral courage and personal integrity. They seldom brag except about their children and grandchildren.It's the Old Farts who know our great country is protected, not by politicians, but by the young men and women in the Air Force, Army, and Navy.This country needs Old Farts with their work ethic, sense of responsibility, pride in their country and decent values.We need them now more than ever.

I was taught to respect my elders. It's just getting harder to find them. There are some really good young farts out there too!!

Do you recognize this spot? The Wawanosh House for Indian girls was built in 1879 on Branch 25’s site. When a typhoid epidemic revealed the need for a

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children’s shelter in 1912, the Children’s Aid Society bought and remodelled the home. The shelter closed its doors in 1955. What happened on this spot from 1955 until Branch 25 was built in 1965?? Anyone know??

DON’T FORGET WE STILL COLLECT

1. Pop Tabs: Every tab you bring in is gratefully received. Please continue to bring them. 2. Pop cans for the Shriners to compact and sell the scrap metal for donations to their 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 . This project is really growing!. At $0.05 per bag, we are doing well. 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.

If there is anything you would like to see in the Dispatch, please contact the Office, leave your suggestion and we can see if it will fit. If any Branch of the Military (cadets and family support group included) would like us to advertise something in our Dispatch – please do nothesitate to ask. We are here to serve our Veterans, Members and our Community – please help us to do that.

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2017-2019 Officers/Executive & Committee Chair

President – Wilma OliverPast President & Poppy Chair – Wayne Paulencu

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 Review Secretary – Mary Anne Martin – Srs/Entertainment/Sick

& VisitingTreasurer – Carol Piper

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

Capt. Pat VardyMrs. Helen Smith

Bar Chair – Peter MillerBuilding & Mtce. and Sports – Rick Pihlaja

Bursary – Warren PihlajaMembership – Helen Stewart

PRO – Debbie RouleauTrack & Field and Cadet Liaison – Pierre Breckenridge

Burial – Elane TurnerWays & Means – Betty Irvine

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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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