Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25

AUGUST 2017

DISPATCHRoyal Canadian Legion Br. 25

96 Great Northern RdSault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B 4Y5

Phone: 705-945-8721Fax: 705-945-6372

Ladies Auxiliary: 705-256-2941Lounge: 705-256-6921

E-mail: rclbranch25@shawbiz.caWebsite: www.branch25rcl.org

Quote of the Month:

Douglas M. Lawson said: We exist temporarily through what we take, but we live forever through what we give.

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President’s Report – Respectfully submitted by Wilma Oliver

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer holidays in spite of the rather wet weather. It has been business as usual here at the Legion. We’ve hosted a very successful antique car show again last month. Lots of bbq’d hamburgers and hot dogs consumed at this event.Another highlight of the month was the community night parade. Thanks to Don Oliver and several helpers (Art Denning, Bill Bennett, Ron Rouleau, Tom Wyatt) and four Veterans Ray Smith, Harold Soderlund, Allen Fell and Norm Hopkins who road on the float – we were able to get a float in the parade this year. Way to go guys!Otherwise business at the Branch is moving along as usual and your Executive is doing its best to carry out the work required for the summer months.Hope to see you all at our September General meeting – September 6th at 7:30 PM

On June 11th., there was a day for Veterans planned at the Churchill Plaza Metro. That day was wonderful – weather wise and comraderie wise as well.During the day the crew from Metro had burgers etc. for sale and the proceeds went to Branch 25 Veterans Fund. Below is a picture of us receiving a cheque from that

wonderful crew of people. L-R1st. Vice President Ernie Bremner, Laurel Carson, Manager Peter Disisto, Heather Matt, Eric Tibbon, and President Branch 25 Wilma Jean Oliver. This cheque was

for $9,260.00 – amazing!!!2

The Branch thanks Peter and his staff for all that they have done for the Veterans and we look forward to 2018.Thank-you so much!!At the same time – President Wilma Oliver presented the staff with a Certificate of Appreciation that they can hang proudly on their wall.

Service Officers and Museum Reports – Respectfully submitted by Ron Rouleau

Service Officer - On July 12th., Comrade Pat Vardy and I had a very informative meeting at the branch with Tina Thomason, Veteran Family Program Coordinator from North Bay Military Family Resource Centre. Also in attendance were H-Col. Ameritus Scott Clark and Tessa Clemont, Veteran Family Program National Program Development Manager. All were in town to present a new program to the Mayor and the city to increase awareness and support for veteran’s families. They are going to be offering a training course in mental health assistance for our veterns and their families; this training may be held here at our Branch if space allows. This will be of great benefit to the service men and women of Sault Ste. Marie as there is a shortage of councilors in the city.

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Museum – We had an upsetting situation occur last month as a contractor brought in a beautiful framed shadow boxed picture of Mr. Weir with his medals, bible, release, papers and his pay book with history of the theatres of war he was in, plus the ships he sailed on during WWII. These were found in the trash by the contractor while renovating a house and could not bring himself to leave these in the trash.ON THE OTHER SIDE!! GOOD SIDE!!Mr. Weir`s daughter called the Branch to enquire if anyone had turned these items in to us. To her relief, we had them with the shadow bocx already up on the wall of the museum. She was very pleased to have them returned.

Sometime good things come out of something good that started bad!

Membership – Respectfully submitted by Helen Stewart

Sometime later this month you will be getting a call from Betty regarding the Early Bird campaign. Betty may be confirming addresses and phone numbers and collecting e-mail addresses if you have one. The fee structure is: $65/year if you are under 65 years of age and $55 for those of us who are older than 65. Please be aware, that you are able to buy back those years you missed or you can re-instate at any time. We can’t run without our membership.

WWII VETS

Attention All WWII Veterans of Sault Ste. Marie4

From 2014-2020, Canada is marking the 75th anniversary of significant milestones in the Second World War. A commemorative pin and a certificate of recognition has been produced for those Veterans who served in all branches of the services during World War II (1939-1945), in recognition of their dedication and service.The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 is organizing a dinner to recognize the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s surviving Veterans and present them with the pin and certificate. This dinner is scheduled for Saturday September 23, 2017. We are requesting that all Sault Ste. Marie WWII Veterans contact the Legion, Branch 25 office at 705-945-8721 NO LATER THAN AUGUST 18 TH ., 2017 to register for this event. We will require the Veterans name, service number, the years they served and contact information. This is available to Sault Ste. Marie WWII Veterans, regardless if they are a Legion member or not. The cost of the dinner for the Veteran and one person to escort them will be paid by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25. If there are others in the family that wish to come – the cost would be $20/person. Cocktails will be at 5 PM and Dinner at 5:30 PM. We consider it an honour to help pay homage to our Veterans.Letters have gone out to those Veterans whose names we have, but there have been a couple of the invitations returned, if there has been an address change for these veterans and someone can help me track them down that would be great. Some may have gone into nursing homes or have moved to apartments and we are just not aware. Wouldn’t want them to miss out. Right now we are

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looking for: Mr. Solomon St.Louis who lived on Rush Ave. – any clues???As an aside – about our wooden poppies. Again this year Lemieux Composting has offered up the white stone free of charge – that is an amazing thing for them to do. We call and they come forward – wonderful. However, the wood situation is different. We have run out of 1 x 6 clear pine boards (no knots) and will need to purchase them in order to make up the ones we have on a waiting list. If you have 1 x 6 clear pine in pieces (over one foot long) we will be happy to take it off your hands and it would be much appreciated.

Secretary Report Respectfully submitted by Mary Anne Martin

Legion Seniors`Program

The new season for the Seniors` program is fast approaching as the carpet bowling resumes September 11 and ballroom style dancing resumes October 11, 2017.

There will be a Harvest Moon Dinner Dance on October 23, 2017 with a roast beef dinner and music by the Happy Days Band with John Bumbacco as guest vocalist (very good Frank Sinatra)

Also on October 17th., there will be a Seniors`Health Care Fair from 1:00 PM – 4:00 P.M. It will cover all parts of the body from head to toe with the twelve agencies taking part.

Sick & Visiting I really need more volunteers to visit the local nursing homes. At present I have no extra help and I

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am now doing three homes. The visits at most homes is from a half hour to one hour. If you can help out, please contact me.

Entertainment - Karaoke is still going throughout the summer, every Friday from 9 PM to 1 AM

Friday Night pool league is still at 7 PM. If you wish to play, just come out on Friday.

Wednesday is Jam Session – tuning at 7 – music at 8

Saturday is free pool day from Noon until 6 PM

AUGUST BAND SCHEDULE

5th – Full Circle 12th – Les Cook

19th – Full Circle 26th – Nostalgia Live

The Third Annual Classic Car show and BBQ was held on July 8th. There were 40 cars which included two from the 49th Regiment. Over $500 was raised for ARCH Paediatricwing and hopefully the Branch received some funds. Next Year`s show will be a fundraiser for the Branch.

The Winners of the Car Show were:

Oldest Car Truck – a 1923 Ford `T` owned by Bert Willis

Oldest Military Vehicle was the Army ambulance from the 49th

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Oldest Utility Truck was a 1947 Mercury owned by Jim Smith

Furthest distance was a `95 Chev Corvette from Bruce Station

Oldest Motorcycle Ural Patotilor Custom owned by Steve Scott.

I would like to extend my thanks to the volunteers who come out every year to help out, especially Eddie for doing the BBQ and standing on with his bad hip for four hours flipping hamburgers and hot dogs.

Just some of the vehicles at the July 8th. car show

The horseshoe league has begun and is open to everyone.

Regular Entertainment

Monday 8:00 p.m. – band practice upstairs – everyone welcome

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Pint & Nacho days (Tues/Thurs/Saturday) buy a 20 oz. glass of your favourite draught beverage and get Nachos with cheese for $7.

Thursday 3:00 P.M. – Meat draw in the lounge - $1/spin. Vouchers won for either City Meat Market, Scale Meats and now PRIME CUTS has joined our little family.

Community Day

July 15th – the weather was terrific, the parade was by far the best for Branch 25. We did not win any awards, but the Veterans on the float were extremely grateful to those on the sidelines who cheered emphatically when the float passed. Kudos to Sault Ste. Marie. The Veterans are looking forward to doing this again next year to celebrate the Branch’s 90th. birthday.

Below are a few pictures of the float before it left, thank-you to Art Denning

Thank-you to Don Oliver for building the float and to Bill

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Bennett for letting us use his truck. At the left, the boss (Don Oliver) is scrutinizing the organization. Well done Don! On the float was: Harold Soderlund, Ray Smith, Norm Hopkins, Alan Fell. According to them, they had a terrific day.And not to be forgotten. The same guy (Don) did a float up for the Goulais Community Day Parade – here’s that picture.

Thank-you Don for getting the word out and for all your hard work!!

Cadet Report – Respectfully submitted by Pierre Breckenridge

LAST POST – WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Veteran – Peter Smith

August Veteran Birthdays

Ed Adshead, Steve Summers, Jack Bouchard, Harold Poyner, Wm. Wallace, James Nisbett, Aldo Diotallevi, J.oseph Doiron, Bernie Heskett, R. Schinners, Wm.

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McKersie, George Mersereau, Hans Busch, Tom Wyatt, Gerald Deplonty, Gary Diotte, Willard Folz, Keith Mitchell, Roland Bonin, Elane Turner, Wm. Hazelton, Gwen Dinsdale, Ronald Halfpenny, Eric Groulx, J. Lucas, K. Jackson

MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY

July Monthly Draw Winners

$2000 – Jeannette Lapoint – Ticket #7149$1000 – M & P Mousseau – Ticket #1477

$500 – Bill Bond – Ticket #1782

CONGRATULATIONS!!

July 2017 winners of calendar lottery

Jessica Carter & TJ, Jean Snell, Bonnie Layton, Rene Pregent, Ed & Lil Bringleson, Lyle & Dorothy Dinsmore, Emily Kainula, Rick Frair, Janice Cumming, Kari Spina, Carol Siegwart, Ann Strachan, John Ross, Mary Ann Wasyliniuk, Lorraine Frappier, Paulette Cote, Olive Jones, Kristian Matuszyk, Barb Middaugh, Antonia O’Riley, Gail Quinton, Mavis Palahnuk, Lisa Ferguson, Tonia Clark, Michael Christiansen, Clayton Scott, Kevin MacKay, Randy Digulla, Lena Barone, Troy & Fay Halzworth, Penny & Marv King

Upcoming Special Events

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NO CHARGE for kids ages 8 to 17 during the COPA Flight for Kids event happening at the Sault Airport. The flights will be on Saturday August 12th. Parents are asked to register their children at the COPA (Canadian Owners Pilot’s Association) Flight 66 website – just click the button that says ‘sign up here’. These flights are 20-40 minutes and it will be educational as well. Some of the planes can take two passengers, some only one. Sign up early – the first flight is 9 a.m. on August 12 but shd be at the MNR hangar beside the Sault Airport by 8:30 a.m. Rain date is Sunday Aug. 13th.Go to: www.copassm.com/copa-for-kids/cfk-2017 and there is a big red “Sign up Here” at the bottom of the page – click on it.

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.

August in History12

1st 1838 – slavery was abolished in Jamaica. 1944 – Anne Frank penned her last entry into her

diary1944 – the Warsaw Uprising began as the Polish

Home Army began shooting at German troops2nd 1990 The Iraqi military government invaded Kuwait 4th 1962 – Nelson Mandela was arrested, tried and sentenced to 5 years in prison, but in 1964 was placed on trial for sabotage, high treason and conspiracy to overthrow the government and was sentenced to life in prison. He was released at age 71 after 27 years in prison in 1990. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for their peaceful efforts to bring a non-racial democracy to South Africa. He was elected President in April 1994.5th 1962 – Marilyn Monroe died at age 36.6th 1945 – the first Atomic Bomb was dropped over the centre of Hiroshima at 8:15 am

Penicillin discoverer Alexander Fleming (1881-1955) was born in Lochfield, Scotland. By accident, he found that mold from soil killed deadly bacteria without injuring human disuse. He received the Nobel Prize in 1954.13th 1961 – The Berlin wall came into existence after the East German government closed the border between east and west sectors of Berlin with barbed wire to discourage emigration to the West. The barbed wire was replaced by a 12 foot-high concrete wall eventually extending 103 miles (16 km) around the perimeter of West Berlin. The wall included electrified fences, fortifications, and guard posts. The wall was finally opened in November 1989 and torn down by the end of 1990.

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19th – Soviet hard-line Communists staged a coup, temporarily removing Mikhail Gorbachev from power. The coup failed with 72 hours as democratic reformer Boris Yeltsin rallied the Russian people. Yeltsin then became the leading power in the country. The Communist Party was soon banned and by December, the Soviet Union itself disintegrated.28th 1963 – The March on Washington occurred as over 250,000 persons attended a Civil Rights rally in Washington, D.C., at which Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made his now-famous I Have a Dream speech.31st 1980 – Solidarity, the Polish trade union, was formed at Gdansk, Poland. Led by Lech Walesa, Solidarity opposed Communist rule and was outlawed in 1981. Seven years later, the re-legalization of Solidarity occurred and the government agreed to hold partially free parliamentary elections. Solidarity candidates scored stunning victories in the lections that followed, gaining power in Poland and paving the way for the downfall of Communism there.

1997 – Britain’s Princess Diana died at age 36 from injuries suffered in a high-speed car crash.

Bill’s Funny of the MonthMr. Larsen’s new secretary was young, sweet and very polite. One day, while taking dictation, she noticed his fly was open. She didn’t want to embarrass him, so she waited until she was leaving his office before saying, “Mr. Johnson, your barracks door is open.”The remark confused him until he happened to look down and see his open zipper. He decided to have some fun. Calling her in, he asked, “Miss Jones, when you saw my

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barracks door was open this morning, did you also notice a soldier standing at attention?”Miss Jones smiled demurely. “Why no, sir. But I did see a disabled veteran siting on two duffel bags!”

Not Bill’s, but ……………..

A Scotsman and his ever nagging wife were on holiday in Jerusalem when she passed away.While making arrangements with the funeral parlor the Scot was told that it would be £5000 to have her sent back home and £500 to have her buried in Jerusalem.The Scot said, “Listen here, Jimmy – a long time ago Jesus was buried here and 3 days later he rose again – she’s going home”

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 not hesitate to ask. We are here to serve our Veterans, Members and our Community – please help us to do that.

2017-2019 Officers/Executive & Committee Chair

President – Wilma OliverPast President & Poppy Chair – Wayne Paulencu

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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 – Lucas McFaddenBuilding & Mtce. and Sports – Rick Pihlaja

Bursary – Warren PihlajaMembership – Helen Stewart

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

Burial – Elane TurnerIf 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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