Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25
APRIL 2018
DISPATCH
Royal Canadian Legion Br. 25
96 Great Northern Rd
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B4Y5
Phone: 705-945-8721
Fax: 705-945-6372
Ladies Auxiliary: 705-256-2941
Lounge: 705-256-6921
E-mail:
Website:
Vimy Tree Planting with Debbie & Ron Rouleau.
The Vimy Parade is Sunday April 8th – 11 am – at Greenwood Cemetery Veteran site.
Hope to see you there. We will be dedicating the ‘tree’ and 2310 Army Cadet entourage will be on hand to remember Vimy. Step off 10:45 am from Gate 3. Public more than welcome.
Quote of the Month:
- Winston Churchill said: The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
- Do what you can with all you have, wherever you are. – Theodore Roosevelt
President’s Report – Respectfully submitted by Wilma Oliver
Believe it or not, Spring is here! I guess we can be thankful Old Man Winter was not too hard on us this year.
Your Legion had a very busy month with hosting the St. Patrick’s day stew and biscuit dinner and our regular end of the month pancake breakfast. Thanks to all the volunteers who make these fundraisers happen. The events were well attended.
On the 24th of March, the Branch hosted the Zone Spring Convention, bringing delegates and observers from eight of the eleven Branches in our Zone. Thanks to the L.A. for the lovely lunch they provided.
I had the opportunity to address the Sault North Rotary Club at both their breakfast and lunch meetings on the 14th of March, regarding the Royal Canadian Legion and this branch in particular.
I am looking forward to attending, along with other members of our Branch, the District Convention in Sudbury on April 14th.
Our Annual Vimmy Ridge ceremony this year will take place at Greenwood Cemetery where we will be dedicating our Vimmy sapling. Hope to see many of you there on April 8, 2018 at 11:00 am. There is more information in Ron Rouleau’s report.
Ladies Auxiliary President Report – Respectfully submitted by Wendy Phillips
Happy Easter! I hope everyone had a great Easter.
We have 3 dart teams going to Provincials in Bruce Mines – good luck Ladies.
Our convention this year is in White River on May 5th. Rooms are booked, we arrive on May 4th and leave on the 6th. I had 5 rooms booked and there are 4 to a room, however, there are only two rooms available in that block.
Registration fee is $20 per person.
We will be accepting donations for Paediatric Oncology: colouring books, crayons, pencils and paper, movies (DVD’s), board games, books, knitting (hats, mittens, booties), blankets. NO stuffed animals due to allergies. The donated items will be taken to Convention.
Our next Family Past Dinner is Wednesday April 25th., 2018 at 5 PM – see you there!
1st V-P/Honours & Awards/Sgt @ Arms Report – Respectfully submitted by Ernie Bremner
Honours & Awards – this year, we will do it a little differently. All of the Certificate of Appreciation recipients will be invited to our ‘anniversary party’ on May 5th. Right now, the time frame is: 11 am presentations, noon speakers followed by luncheon and cake cutting. Members pricing at the bar will be in effect. Since there are so very many people to thank, we decided to shorten the actual Honours & Awards ceremony in respect of our elderly veterans.
You may have heard that we were looking at increasing our bar prices for reasons we are sure you know: the increase in minimum wage and the increase over the past two years to the cost of alcohol.
As of April 2nd., our new bar prices will be:
Domestic Beer from $4.25 to $4.35
Domestic Liquor from $4.75 to $5.00
Wine from $4.25 to $4.5
Draft Beer
8 oz. glass from $2.35 o $2.60
20 oz glass from $5.25 to $6.40
32 oz glass from $8.25 to $10.25
48 oz glass from $11.25 to $15.25
We realize that some of these price increases are significant, but it just shows how far behind we were in our cost management. And, to add insult to injury, there was a 1.2% increase in beer on April 1st.
Thank-you to our Bar Chair, Peter Miller for his research.
2nd V-P/Museum/Service Officer Reports Respectfully submitted by Ron Rouleau
Service Officer I attended the Zone H-4 convention this passed weekend that was very informative and a good chance to meet with fellow service officers in our area. I brought up the problem all our branches have been hit with, the request for assistance from unqualified veterans or false claims. Our branch has been hit again in the passed month. These people travel across Canada stopping at Legions and stealing monies provided by the Poppy campaign to help qualified veterans in need. They all have good stories and even show some military identification to convince us that they are in need of funds to travel, for gas, food or lodging. We have helped some of these people before receiving the true story or papers. Now, we have set in place a system of notifying branches in our area when we have provided assistance to these “veterans” in the event they visit their branch looking for handouts.
On a lighter note: Sherry Culling, Provincial Veteran’s Affairs representative, will be at the branch the week of April 16th. If you need to speak with Sherry, please contact the office 705-945-8721 for an appointment.
There is a Veteran’s Information Exchange being held at the Water Tower Inn 1030-1700 hours on Wednesday April 4th then 1300-1500 hrs on April 5th. Family, service providers, actively serving or released members are welcome. Veterans Affairs Canada, Military Family Resource Centre-Veteran Family Program, OSISS peer support, OSISS family support and Dr. McGerry-Roberts, Legion services and local support providers will be there to provide information and assistance.
ATTENTION VETERANS – the Royal Canadian Legion’s Service Officer Sherry Culling will be in Sault Ste. Marie the week of April 16, 2018. Anyone wishing information, advice or assistance regarding Veterans Affair Canada Disability Pensions, Treatment for Entitled Veterans, Application for Poppy/Benevolent Funds, Appeals against unfavourable VAC Decisions, Widows Entitlement. You do not have to be a Legion Member to request an interview.
Call the Legion Office to schedule an appointment at 705-945-8721. Appointments must be made by Friday April 13th.
New Veterans’ Education & Training Benefit – Quick Facts
$133.9 million over six years to creat a new Veterans’ Education and Training Benefit to provide up to $80,000 to Veterans in support of post-secondary education.
This new benefit will provide Veterans with funding for college, UNIVERSITY OR A TECHNICAL EDUCATION Veterans with six years of service may be eligible for up to $40,000 and Veterans with at least 12 years of service may be eligible for up to $80,000 to cover tuition, course materials, and some incidentals and living expenses.
All honourable released Veterans will have up to 10 years following their release date to use the benefit.
Eligible Veterans who released between April 1, 2006 and March 31, 2018 will have up until March 31, 2028 to receive funding under the Education and Training Benefit. Eligible Veterans who release after April 1, 2018, will have ten years from the date of their release to receive funding under this program. This benefit supports Veterans in achieving their education and future post-military employment goals and positions them to be more competitive in the workforce.
Veterans will not be limited to post-secondary training. If university or college is not their choice, a portion of the total funding earned would be available for career and personal development courses. This could include small business boot camps, continuing education, etc.
VAC has designed the Career Trnsition Services and the Education and Training Benefit to complement each other and better support Veterans during their transition to post-military life.
The new Education and Training Benefit will come into effect April 1, 2018.
Museum
On April 8th., 2018 at 11:00 am we will be gathering at Greenwood Cemetery to dedicate the Vimy Ridge tree, which the Branch purchased through donations from the Thirsty Thursday group and planted in 2017. Acorns collected right after the battle were brought home and replanted, then returned to Vimy for replanting; this sapling is from one of those. Please join us to dedicate and remember the 3,600 that shed their blood in battle. Also take a moment after the dedication to visit the display in the Legion as we gather in comradeship.
Reverand Phil Miller is trying to clear out his office and has donated a ships bridge phone rescued from a Corvette before it was scraped. Gerry and Warren Pihlaja are also trying to make some room in their new apartment by donating pictures and today her grandfather’s WWII canteen. We were also very pleased to receive medals earned by Andrew Lucas during WWII while sailing on HMS Nabon aircraft carrier protecting convoys to Russia and attacking the German Battleship Tirpitz docked in Norway. His ship was torpedoed while protecting the convoy but managed to limp home to Scotland. Seaman Lucas was presented medals by Russia for his service in providing aid the Russian people and army.
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 – 1PMand 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
April. Music starts at 8 PM and goes until 11 PM – good dance music.
7th – R.F. Wave14th Dusty Roads
21st – Full Circle28th – R.F. Wave
Sick & Visiting– I know this is old news, but I do need more visitors for the nursing and retirement homes. There are three members who are off on medical leave and I have to replace them. It is impossible for me to do 4 homes plus the hospital as I also have medical issues that need looking in to. Please, if you have an hour or so to help out, leave your name at the office 705-945-8721.
I thank comrade Harry Wynn for playing on St. Patrick’s day at our stew fest.
Classic Car Show – The fourth annual car show and barbecue will be on July 7th., 2018 More information to follow.
Membership– Respectfully submitted by Helen Stewart
Last month I told you that we had 93% of our membership paid by January 31st. This month, I will tell you that we had over 65% of our membership pay their Early Bird dues – that’s amazing. That’s an increase from last year, and this year, we will endeavour to increase that percentage.
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 someone who wants friends and family to be comfortable and share stories. 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.
Our Spring Silent Auction went very well. We brought in over $500 and are very pleased. Thank-you to all who bid and have picked up their items. We will have another one in the fall.
Our recent pancake breakfast (March 25th) gleaned us an overall profit of $995. Another successful Sunday – the next one is April 29th – mark your calendar.
Youth Education – Respectfully submitted by Pat Vardy
The week-end of March 17th saw the winners of the Branch’s Public Speaking competition head to Branch 374 in Richard’s Landing. Our two talented and exceptional young candidates Nevaeh Pine and Max Vomarro did very well again.
Nevaeh, with ‘the Jingle Dress’ came first overall and will be heading to the Area level in Espanola on Sunday April 15th.
Young Max lost, but apparently he was as excited and demonstrative as only Max can be. Congratulations to both and a huge Good Luck to Nevaeh!!
As an aside, I will be heading to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiagowhich is approx. 780 kilometers in 33 days and I will be gone for two months beginning April 7th.. The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James (Santiago in Spanish) in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain.Buen Camino
Track & Field and Cadet Report – Respectfully submitted by Pierre Breckenridge
Track & Field – I will be meeting with school officials in April to ensure our program is promoted and advertised.
Cadets – As reported last month, the three local Cadet Corps participated in the CCM marksmanship competition. All units did very well and 2310 Army cadets placed first in the zone and first in the area. As a result, they have earned a place at the provincial competition in April representing Northern Ontario.
This past week, the 46 Sea Cadets hosted the Navy League Cadets for a seamanship and mentoring evening. A good time as had by all
Please remember April 8th. We will have the annual Vimy commemoration marking the 101st. Anniversary of the battle for Vimy Ridge. In addition, the Royal Canadian Legion will be dedicating the Vimy Sampling both at Greenwood Cemetery for 1100 hours.
Building & Sports – Respectfully submitted by Rick Pihlaja
Building – on going
Sports - There have been a whirlwind of Dart competitions recently, but the final result we have is that Branch 25’s Tim Schryer has advanced to the Dominion Level (to be held In Mascouche, Quebec, May 4th – 7th) and we wish him good ‘flights’.
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 if you can participate in this.
Don’t forget to go down to the Sault Ste. Marie Museum to see the wonderful display to commemorate the Legion 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
Veteran & Comrade Mjr. Roy Eddy (Retd)
Comrade Jackie Wardlaw (Halford)
Veteran Don Neal
Veteran & Comrade Bernie Heskett
AprilVeteran Birthdays
A.R. Bondar, J. R. Dukes, H.W. Foster, P.C. Knowles, Gord Saunders, G. J. McDonald, N.W.E. Pyette, Warren Pihlaja, F.C. Dunn, R.B. Wilson, E.H. Manuel, Pascale Crepault-Breckenridge, B.P. Pasheri, R.D. Pihlaja, R. A. Little, Earl Mattice, Harold Soderlund
MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY
Ways & Means Respectfully submitted by Betty Irvine
MarchMonthly Draw Winners
$2000 – Harold McQuarrie #6959 sold by Alan Platt
$1000 – Caryn Robinson #3873 sold by Scale Meats
$500 – Jim Cameron #7137 sold by Alan Platt
March2018winners of calendar lottery
Len & Louise Brock, Don Martin, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Coe, Paul & Sylvia Pearson, Marisa Balque, Mary Shaughnessy, Tim Pascall, Tyler McNaslly, Rachel McNally, Daniel Fortin, Kim Dodge, Mildred St. Pierre, Juv Neto, Ann Marie Shannon, Karen Clark, Jane Martin Bennett, Danny Senecal, Dan St. Pierre, Teija Humalamaki, Terry Hoad-Reddick, Kelly Jackson, Adyh Duffney, Brenda Wilson, Anthony Valade, Frank Coccimiglio, Christine Smith, Connie Krasenko, Heather Francis,
URGENTLY REQUIRED
We desperately need people to work in the Board Room on General Meeting day receive 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: Thank-you!!
ACOUPLA FUNNIES
- A Pole goes to his optician for an eye test.
The optician shows him the Eye Chart:
CZWINZNOSTACZ
The option asks, “Can you read it?”
“Read it?” says the Pole – “I know the guy”
- Bob was in trouble. He forgot his wedding anniversary. His wife was really angry and she told him ‘tomorrow morning, I expect the find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in 60 second and it better be there. The next morning he got up early and left for work. When his wife woke up, she looking out the window and sure enough there was a gift wrapped in the middle of the driveway. Confused, the wife put on her robe and ran out to the driveway, brought the box back in the house. She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale. Bob hasn’t been seen since Friday.
- Everyone seems to be in such a hurry to scream ‘racism’ these days. A customer asked, “In what aisle could I find the Newfy sausage?” The shop assistant asks, “Are you from Newfoundland?” The guy, clearly offended, says, “Yes, I am, but let me ask you something – If I had asked for Italian sausage, would you ask me if I was Italian? Or German Bratwurst, would you ask if I was German? Or for a kosher hot dog, would you ask me if I was Jewish? Or a taco, would you ask if I was Mexican? Or for a Polish sausage, would you ask if I was polish?
The shop assistant says, “No, I probably wouldn’t.”