Fall 2010 - Nova Scotia Nunavut Command of the Royal Canadian

P R I D E
I N
O U R
PA S T
F A I T H
I N
O U R
F U T U R E
FREE
VOLUME 22, NO. 4 FALL 2010
Remembering the Poppy, a poem by Gary Roy .... see Page 6
NEWS
District F
Commander
attends change
of command
... Page 4
EVENTS
Bridgewater
branch launches
Red Shirt
Campaign
...Page 8
BRANCH
PHOTOS
Around the
Command
...Page 14
The 2010 Nova Scotia/Nunavut Legion Track and Field team continued their success of the past both on and off the
field. This year’s team was a young team with many participating at their first national championships but that did not
stop anyone from excelling. The team boasted an incredible total of 26 personal best performances and six new provincial
records at the legion championships. Among these were two gold medal performance’s coming from Jessica Bartlett in the
midget woman’s javelin and Mike Tate in the youth men’s 2000m. With many returning athletes for 2011, it will be another exciting year for the team with all looking forward to another great experience. Special thanks to the Chaperons and
Coaches for their dedication to this program.
30233 7-26/10-25
2
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
Fall 2010
Farewell send off to Commanding Officer Major James Fera
Dan Hennessey PR
Chairman Branch 24
On July 7, Branch
24 bid a fond farewell
to a great friend of the
branch.
President Sonny
Hubley and members of
the Branch 24 Executive
were invited to attend the
Change of Command ceremony for 14 Construction Engineering Squadron. The ceremony saw
the existing Commanding
Ofcer, Major James Fera,
pass the mantle of Command to his successor,
Major Sarah House.
Since taking over command of the Squadron
three years ago, Major
Fera has done a tremendous job in expanding the
unit’s community involvement as well as their battle
readiness. It was not an
uncommon site as you
drive down LaHave Street
to see a large contingent
of the unit in combat fatigues and packs heading
out on a long march and
always at their lead would
be Major Fera. He had a
‘lead by example’ attitude
and one could easily see
this whenever the unit was
engaged in community
efforts.
The Squadron has
assisted Branch 24 on a
number of projects and
they were also pleased to
attend one of the general
membership meetings to
explain their many deployments in the dangerous
war zone that is Afghanistan. Major Fera was also
happy to tell anyone that
would listen that their role
while deployed was an
amazing experience and
his goal was to rst win
the hearts and minds of
the Afghan people but
also leave them with the
training and resources that
would continue long after
the unit came home.
He was denitely a
people person. Many of
the pictures that branch
members saw depicted
Major Fera and his team
working closely with the
locals. This work took
the members “outside the
wire” where the danger
level exploded but all the
members have returned
home safely thanks to
the training they received
prior to leaving. Someone
said that they march well
for engineers but they are
rst and foremost proud
members of the Canadian
military and under direction of the Chief Warrant
Ofcer, not a step or a
command was missed.
One of the most
moving moments of the
Change of Command was
when Major Fera led his
unit around the arena with
sections from all three
locations, Pictou County,
Gander and our own
from Lunenburg County.
He marched his command
around and proudly took
the salute of the Reviewing Ofcer for the last
time.
The one main factor that we at Branch 24
and Lunenburg County
can be assured of is that
our military is lled with
superstars and when one
moves on another one
steps effortlessly into the
role. That was very apparent with the transfer
of command to Major
Sarah House, herself
originally from Shelburne
County and certainly a
rising star in the military.
She will certainly continue
the work started and we
know that Major House
will once again take the
unit to another level of
excellence. We welcome
Major Sarah House and
bid Major James Fera all
the very best in his future
endeavours.
We are both proud and
fortunate to have worked
so closely with a true
Canadian hero.
Branch 24 President Sonny Hubley presents Major James Fera with a
legion cap and commemorative pin during the Change of Command reception.
Fall 2010
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
3
Editor’s Notebook
The ofcial publication of
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command
The Royal Canadian Legion
The Torch is printed quarterly and is distributed to
the Legion Branches and its membership.
The Torch Editor
Glen Parker
Printing & Publishing Company (2006) LTD.
88 College Street, Antigonish, NS, B2G 2L7
Publisher & General Manager
Ken Sims
Advertising Manager,
Mike Hancox
mikehancox@thecasket.ca
902-863-4370 ext. 241
Sales Representatives
Christine MacGillivray
christinemac@thecasket.ca
902-863-4370 ext. 221
Dave Roberts
csr@thecasket.ca
902-863-4370 Ext. 222
The Torch is the official publication of Nova Scotia/
Nunavut Command, The Royal Canadian Legion and is
distributed across Nova Scotia and to Rankin Inlet and
Iqaluit and is printed quarterly. The Editor reserves the right
to edit, condense or reject copy, photographs or advertising
to achieve the aims of The Royal Canadian Legion. Material
should be typed, double spaced and must be accompanied
by the contributor’s name, address and phone number. Electronic submissions are
preferred and should be sent to info@ns.legion.ca. Opinions
and advertisements printed in the Torch are those of the
individual contributor or advertiser and do not necessarily
reflect the opinions or endorsements of The Royal Canadian
Legion, the editor or the publisher.
Notice to all Legion Branches
Glen Parker
One of the things that
makes Remembrance Day
special for me is hearing the pipes. Perhaps it’s
my Scottish genes (my
mother was a Duncan).
Whatever the reason, I
nd bagpipes particularly
moving during the November 11 service.
My favourite piper,
over the last 25 years, has
been my friend Ed Coleman. Ed lives in Kentville
and I had the pleasure
of working for the same
publishing company as
him during the 1980s and
90s. I’ve bumped into him
through the years, mostly
around the Annapolis Valley. You really can’t miss
Ed, he’s usually the guy
making a lot of noise on
the octopus-like instrument called the bagpipes.
Oh yes, his knees are usually showing too.
Now retired, Ed keeps
very busy with his music
and freelance writing.
I spoke to Ed last
month as he was piping in
the special guests during
the opening of the new
arena complex in Berwick.
Here are some things
you might like to know
about Ed Coleman:
His pipes are Gillanders, made in the traditional
pipe style in Scotland over
50 years ago. They are
made of African Blackwood, with ivory and
sterling silver ttings.
He was drawn to the
bagpipes while growing
up near Camp Aldershot.
Young soldiers were constant visitors to his boyhood home and he was
often exposed to sounds
of piping.
His ancestry is Irish on
his father’s side (two generations out of Ireland)
while his mother’s side has
Highland Scot ancestry.
Ed has been playing
bagpipes since 1951. He
also plays harmonica, accordion and “gets by passably” on the organ.
“Actually, I’ve been
playing the harmonica and
accordion longer that I’ve
been playing the pipes,”
he told me.
Nowadays, he picks
away on the Dobro and
the Irish pipes citing Cape
Breton style ddling and
bluegrass music as inuences.
Ed plans to start a
class in bagpipes for adult
beginners.
He was the ofcial
piper for the Berwick
Legion from sometime in
the 1970s until three years
ago and now pipes for the
Kentville Legion. He can
Ed Coleman with grandson, Sam.
be heard at most legion
functions and at schools,
especially around Remembrance Day. He often
plays his own compositions
“I’ve been thinking
about submitting a lament
(Lament For The Fallen)
to the Legion Provincial
Command so they can
have an ofcial Remembrance Day tune (if they
accept it),” he said adding
that he has been playing
this song at Remembrance
Day events for a number
of years.
His legacy is ensured.
Ed has two grandsons
who play the pipes - Sam,
19 and Liam, 13.
Re: Articles and pictures for
upcoming issues of The Torch.
As usual, all copy (including pictures) are to be sent directly
to Legion Command Headquarters:
61 Gloria McCluskey Drive, Dartmouth, NS B3B 2Z3
Please try to have your material in on time.
Publication date
February 16, 2011
May 4, 2011
July 27, 2011
October 26, 2011
Deadline
January 21, 2011
April 8, 2011
July 4, 2011
October 3, 2011
Return undelivered Canadian addresses to:
Legion Command Headquarters:
61 Gloria McCluskey Drive, Dartmouth, NS B3B 2Z3
Publication Mail Agreement No. 40024609
Local air cadets help serve during Windsor Branch 9 Veteran’s Banquet held in May.
4
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
Fall 2010
District F Commander attends Change of Command
District F Commander
Thomas Waters
On August 6, I was invited to attend the Change
of Command Ceremony
in Halifax.
Commander Maritime
Forces Atlantic and Joint
Task Force Atlantic Rear
Admiral Paul Maddison,
OMM, MSM, CD turned
over his Command to
Rear Admiral Dave Garham, OMM, CD.
By special request of
Rear Admiral Maddison
he asked for District F
color party to be included
with a 50-man honour
guard at the opening
ceremony. As this was a
rst and with two days of
training, Sgt at Arms Tom
Cane and his colour party,
consisting of members
from Zone 14 and Zone
15, were well received by
both admirals and certainly added colour and
avour to this historic and
prestigious ceremony.
This was a rst and a
rst for the district colour
party to be included in
the inspection of the
colour party and the
50-man honour guard by
the Lieutenant-Governor
of Nova Scotia Mayann
Francis, ONS.
The colour party and
District F Commander
Tom Waters were invited
inside the wardroom at
Stadacona to be guests
at the initiation of the
change of Command.
Rear Admiral Neptun,
Commander of the
United States Coast
Guard; Rear Admiral
Fitzpatrick, Commander
Strike Force Atlantic; Vice
Admiral Parker, Commander Atlantic Area;
Lieutenant-General Semianiw, Commander Canada
Command; LieutenantGeneral Lessard, Commander Canadian Expeditoinary Force Command;
Vice Admiral McFadden,
Chief of Maritime Staff;
and Vice Admiral Donaldson, Vice Chief of
Defence Staff were all in
attendence. A reception
followed at the end of the
two-hour ceremony where
a meet and greet was well
received.
As District Commander of F District I have had
the opportunity to attend
many of the historic
ceremonies that were held
for the 100th anniversary
of the Royal Canadian
Navy Centennial events.
I had the opportunity to
visit and attend special
events aboard the navy
ships that were from different countrys. I attended
two special events aboard
the aircraft carriers. I
also attended a special
event aboard the Dutch
ship and met the Prime
Minister of the Netherlands. I also attended the
eet review and had the
honour of meeting Queen
Elizabeth with the Camp
Hill veterans on arrival at
the Garrison Grounds (we
all got wet) and at Pier 20
during the eet review.
Many of the events
were also attended by
Sackville Meals on Wheels sends thank
you out to Calais Branch 162
Sackville-Bedford Meals on Wheels is a non-prot
organization which provides hot, nutritious meals to
the elderly, disabled, and convalescing.
When rst organized in 1987, as the name suggests,
meals were delivered in Sackville and Bedford. However, as the demand grew, so did the area served. Today
meals are delivered in Sackville and Bedford as well as
the surrounding communities of Hammonds Plains,
Beaver Bank, Pockwock, Fall River, Waverley, and Wellington.
When Sackville-Bedford Meals on Wheels was
rst organized, the two communities lacked a facility
equipped to prepare meals. Royal Canadian Legion
Calais Branch 162, recognizing the value and need for
this service, generously equipped a commercial kitchen
in their Lower Sackville Branch. With the exception
of some meals which were prepared at the Cobequid
Correctional Centre when it was situated in Lower
Sackville, the 114,000 meals delivered over the past 23
years have been prepared at Calais Branch 162. It must
be mentioned here that the rst meal was sampled for
quality control by Jack Hatcher, Calais Branch’s representative on the Meals on Wheels Advisory Board. Jack
continues to serve as a member of the Advisory Board.
His valuable experience and advice are a great asset.
Over the past 23 years, Calais Branch has been a
Meals on Wheels steadfast supporter. Dependant upon
donations from individuals, churches, businesses and
organizations within the community, Meals on Wheels
has often operated on a nancial shoestring. In 1998,
Calais Branch 162 came to the Society’s rescue with
a grant from their poppy fund. This Legion Branch
makes regular monthly donations and annually donates
the proceeds from one of their Bingos. This support
has been the deciding factor which allows the Society to
provide recipients meals at a fee which is below cost.
The Calais Branch members have assisted Meals
on Wheels in other ways. The Ladies Auxiliary have
donated the use of their kitchen for several fund raising
and appreciation activities such as the Annual Volunteer/Recipient Tea put on by the Meals on Wheels
Advisory Board. Members have also volunteered as
servers during the Annual Spring Fling Fashion Show
fundraiser. The Branch’s Flea Market donates Sunday
Flea Market’s proceeds once or twice a year. Many
of the volunteers who deliver meals to recipients are
Legion members. The support goes on.
Thank you Calais Branch 162.
the district colour party
as their involvement was
asked for by the navy.
The Royal Canadian
Navy especially appreciated the legion’s involvement in helping celebrate
their centennial. As this
is the 65th anniversary of
the Liberation of Hol
land by the Canadians, I
attended many functions
held locally.
On September 7, I
attended the 3rd Annual Callow Wheelchair
Buses Golf Tournament
fundraiser hosted by Peter
Stoffer MP and Mike Savage MP.
Many Lonely Soldiers
By Gary Roy
Guelph, ON
Many lonely soldiers,
Who stand on guard for thee,
They risk their lives each day,
So we could all be free.
Here I’m just a stranger,
In a distant foreign land,
I know there’s lots of danger,
We’ll do the best we can.
The dangers that we face,
Every single day,
Will we ever make it home,
It’s really hard to say.
Crying from the wounded,
Silence from the dead,
All the eerie voices,
Keep going through my head.
Sometimes it’s hard to be,
So very far away,
We miss our families more and more,
Each and every day.
In this hostile land,
We stand so proud and tall,
Brave men and women soldiers,
Are heroes to us all.
Now the time has come,
For all of us to go,
The memories left behind,
Will never ever go.
Someday when I grow up,
I think I’d like to be,
Another lonely soldier,
So we can all be free.
Fall 2010
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
5
Shown during the presentation of commemorative plaque (l to r) CWO Bert Fitzgerald, Lt Col. George Thomson CO of WNSR, President of WNS
Regimental Association Doug Allison and President South Shore Exhibition Ruth Hanrahan.
West Novas take the field again during exhibition
On a warm summer
evening almost 71 years
to the day when they
took over the exhibition
grounds, the West Nova
Scotia Regiment was back.
The Regiment was celebrating its 61st Regimental
Association Reunion and
a grand event at the 2010
South Shore Exhibition
was a focal point to the
festivities.
The event began with a
lone piper at centre stage
heralding the arrival of a
one-man rie squad from
the West Nova Scotia
Regiment in Aldershot in
full combat equipment
who took up position
directly in front of the
stage. Members of the
large crowd watching
were told that this group
of men represented the
future of the West Novas
and that they were now
going to be introduced to
the past, the legacy and
what is the West Novas.
With this, six original
WWII members of the
regiment were escorted to
the stage by army and sea
cadets form the Bridgewater area. Many of these
veterans saw action in Sicily, Italy, Belgium and Holland and were among the
rst Allied troops to land
in Europe when they invaded Italy. They received
a standing ovation from
a very appreciative crowd
on hand which made each
of them proud to be on
the stage that night.
Once seated and the
other dignitaries in place,
We at Branch 24 in Bridgewater
would like to give a resounding Semper
Fidelis to our West Novas.
the current commanding
ofcer of the West Nova
Scotia Regiment gave the
order to “march on the
colours” and a colour party made their way sharply
to the centre of the
stage. They displayed the
regimental colours which
display the regiment’s
many battle honours.
While this was happening, from the far end
of the eld, appeared
the outstanding LFAA
military band, recently
back from an engagement
at the Tattoo. The band
marched to centre eld
and played a number of
selections to the enjoyment of the crowd on
hand.
After hearing a brief
regimental history and
individual biographies of
the six veterans Commanding Ofcer Lt. Col.
George Thomson addressed the crowd and
from his words one could
tell he is a proud commander.
In a moving ceremony
South Shore Exhibition
President June Hanrahan
presented the regimental
association and the regiment with a commemorative plaque displaying the
story of the West Novas
and the exhibition. This
beautiful black granite
engraved plaque was accepted by Lt Col. Thomson and Doug Allison,
president of the regimental association and then
they requested that the
South Shore Exhibition
display the plaque on the
grounds in a special place
as a reminder of when the
West Novas rst came to
the Exhibition in September 1939.
This event was certainly full of all the pomp and
perfection of a military
display but when the
large crowd was asked to
share in two minutes of
silence for the members
of the West Novas and all
military that have paid the
ultimate sacrice in pursuit of the freedom we all
enjoy, the air went silent.
This was a very successful event that once
again this year took place
just prior to the entertainment on the last evening
of the Exhibition and
once again as the veterans
were making their way
away from the main stage
people were applauding
and saying thank you.
That will always be why
we put our veterans up
on that pedestal, so that
those around can see
them and give them the
respect they deserve.
6
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
Memories of veteran Donald Buckler
By Sue White
Public Relations Ofcer
Zone 11
NS/NU Command
In 2005, I was privileged to write the story
of Cmd. Donald Keith
Buckler, dealing with his
experiences as a POW.
Since that time some
other interesting facts
have come to light, that he
would like to share with
his comrades.
First I will give you a
brief overview of what
was written for Torch
Magazine in 2005. On
March 15, 1944, Buckler
and six other crew members in a Halifax bomber,
were on their ninth
mission, part of a force
of 863 aircraft bombing
Stuttgart, Germany. As
they were dropping their
bombs on the factory city,
the res below made them
an easy target for the German ghters.
The ghters raked
them with bullets disabling the rear gun.
Buckler, who was the Mid
Upper Gunner, kept ring
until they had to bail out
of the plane. All seven
crew members survived,
and were taken prisoner.
They would spend the
next 13 months in various
prison camps, in East
Prussia, Poland and Germany.
It was automatically
assumed that the Halifax
bomber had crashed and
burned, but now we know
that this wasn’t entirely
true.
New information tells
us that LW559 crashed 30
km. South of Stuttgart.
They dumped the rest of
their bombs, and the crew
bailed out near Nehren.
The bomber then ew
slowly (on one engine)
in a great circle, before
crashing in a wooded
area west of Nehren. The
plane was not completely
destroyed, and the mid
upper gun and the tail gun
were still intact and were
removed by the young
men of the village, they
later had to give them
to the authorities. A few
weeks later the remaining
parts of the plane were
taken apart by the Luftwaffe and recycled.
According to Michael
Maye of Germany, who
has been documenting
and researching the air
war near his home village
of Mossingen, since 2004,
there are still many bits
and pieces of the bomber
in the crash area. He
has spoken by phone to
the nephew of Sgt P.W.
Benson (deceased), and
has sent him a picture of
the crash site and a map
showing what they believe
to be the path the bomber
ew after the crew had
abandoned it. And also
the crash site of JU88. He
has also spoken to Cmd.
Buckler on the internet
and provided him with
this same information.
The German Night
ghter JU88 was hit many
times by the defensive
re from the MUG, aka
Sgt Donald Buckler, it
suffered heavy damage
and went down 8 Km.
Northwest of the village of Mossingen, one
crew member was able
to parachute out, but the
two others perished in the
crash.
It is amazing to think
that 66 years later this
information has been
uncovered, and a ood of
mixed emotions for Cmd.
Buckler. Until this summer he never knew he had
shot down the German
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
Remembering the Poppy
By Gary Roy, Guelph, ON
Poppies are a symbol,
Of the men who gave their souls,
They braved the lonely nights,
The winters and the cold.
Men who fought in battle,
The loss of many friends,
Waiting for the nal day,
When the war would end.
Enemies that they faced,
Battles that were won,
Many soldiers lying dead,
When it all was done.
Our brave Canadian soldiers,
Fought a war in a distant land,
They didn’t ask for this to start,
But brought it to an end.
Now the war is over,
Things will never be the same,
A poppy lets us know these men,
Had never died in vain.
Donald Buckler
ghter.
Cmd. Buckler lives in
Bear River, and is a Life
Member of Branch 22.
For those with computers, more information
about ight LW559 and
others can be found on
the following sites;
www.lostbombers.co.uk/
bomber
www.torontoaircrew.com
Fall 2010
When you see a poppy,
Remember what it’s for,
All the men who fought and died,
In the name of war.
The freedom that we have,
The life we all enjoy,
We owe it to our veterans,
Their victory brought us joy.
Next time you see a veteran,
Stop and shake his hand,
Many soldiers just like him,
Brought freedom to our land.
Fall 2010
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
7
Command Service Officer’s Corner
By Brian Richardson
Comrades, fall is in the
air and perhaps I should
rst bring you up to date
on what has been happening in the ofce of
the Command Service
Ofcer since my arrival
six months ago.
First and foremost,
where did the summer go,
it has been extremely busy
since my arrival. Initially,
of course, time was spent
orientating and familiarizing myself with policies
and procedures adherent
to this position. Then,
it was off to Dominion
Command to be overwhelmed with what might
be expected of a Command Service Ofcer.
Upon my return, thank
heavens for the support
of the ofce staff, Dianna
and Marj, Marc Gauthier
(by phone), Service Ofcers in Ottawa, Service
Ofcers in Nova Scotia/
Nunavut Command
Branches and the staff at
Veterans Affairs Canada.
Everyone has extended a
helping hand, and I would
like to thank each and
every one of you wholeheartedly. I would especially like to thank each
and every Veteran and
Veteran’s family members
I have come in contact
with for demonstrating
your patience with regard
to your claims.
I have been asked by
my predecessor to include
some information on the
Last Post Fund (LPF). As
we know, the Last Post
Fund is responsible for
administering the Veterans Affairs Canada Funeral and Burial Program.
The aim of the Funeral
& Burial Program is to
recognize the achievements of those who valiantly served our country,
particularly those who
pass away without the
necessary nancial means
for a dignied funeral and
burial.
What many of us may
not know, is that in order
to better serve our military personnel, the Last
Post Fund Nova Scotia
Branch owns and manages a Columbarium located
within the Fairview Lawn
Cemetery in Halifax, at
the Northern end of
Windsor Street. This
Columbarium is designated as a nal resting
place for those who have
served our country either
in wartime or peacetime,
and there is also provision
to have the ashes of one
family member placed in
the niche with the veteran.
The cost of the niche
in the LPF Nova Scotia
Branch Columbarium
is very reasonable. A
one-time fee will include
opening and closing of
the niche; inscription on
the niche plaque; and perpetual care. I am informed
that purchases will help to
provide funding for other
Last Post Fund initiatives,
such as the LPF Special
Grave Marking Program.
If interested, arrangements to purchase a niche
may be made direct to the
LPF NS Branch at the address below.
For further information on the Last Post
Fund you may wish to
visit www.lastpostfund.
ca or contact the LPF NS
branch direct at 902-4555283 or 1-800-565-4777
(toll free). The ofce of
the LPF NS Branch is
located at Suite 200A,
7105 Chebucto Road in
Halifax (West End Mall)
and is currently managed
by our former Command
The aim of
the Funeral &
Burial Program
is to recognize the
achievements of
those who valiantly
served our
country, particularly those who
pass away without
the necessary
nancial means
for a dignied funeral and burial.
Service Ofcer, Comrade
Marc Gauthier. I invite
you to contact Comrade
Marc should you require
additional information or
wish to make a purchase
in the Columbarium.
Marc may also be reached
via email at lpnfoeast@
lastpost.ca.
Service Ofcer
Seminar
Please be advised that
a Service Ofcer Seminar
is planned for Saturday,
November 20, 2010 to be
held at our Sydney Branch
12 between 0900 and
1530 hrs.
All Branch Service
Ofcers within this Command are invited to attend
this training session.
Further information
with specic details has
been forwarded to all
Branches in our most recent ‘All Branch Mailout’.
Any Branch, or group of
Branches requesting a Service Ofcer Seminar may
contact me at 902-4294090 Ext 3 or by email at
b.richardson@ns.legion.
ca. I would suggest your
requests be forwarded as
soon as possible in order
to meet a timely agenda
date.
In closing, again I
would like to express
my sincere thanks to all
of those folks who have
helped me nd my way
both with guidance and
direction and specically thank Comrade Marc
Gauthier for the great
job he did as Command
Service Ofcer over the
past 10 years.
Feel free to contact me
directly should you wish
for this ofce to address
a special topic or issue
in the next issue of the
Torch.
8
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
Fall 2010
(Above l to r) Branch 24 President Sonny Hubley, Trevor Jessome, Past President Ken George, Nathan Herritt, of Intelligent Choice Computers, members
of his staff and staff and Troy Gracie.
Bridgewater Branch 24 Launches Red Shirt Campaign
In a continuing effort to show support for our men
and women serving in the Canadian Military, Branch 24
Past President Ken George came up with an idea that
he would touch base with a local business in Bridgewater Nova Scotia to see if they would participate in a
Red Shirt campaign.
This idea would be a continuation of the very successful, the Yellow Ribbon Campaign that was launched
again this year by the Town of Bridgewater and the 14
Construction Engineering Squadron. Comrade George
spoke with the manager of the business, Nathan Herritt, and there was no question that his team would be
more than happy to participate so on July 23 at 11 a.m.,
proudly wearing their red support our troops t-shirts,
the staff of Intelligent Choice Computers became
the rst business in Bridgewater to jump on the band
wagon.
The program had been in place in the
past but Comrade Ken George decided
it was time to re energize the program
and has begun to actively solicit
businesses in Bridgewater with the
hope that one day the majority of the
town will be wearing red on Fridays.
Presenting special Support the Troops pin to go
along with the shirts was Branch President Sonny Hubley and Past President Ken George.
Two surprise guests from 14 Construction Engineering Squadron were also present for the presentation.
Just as the staff members were receiving their pins the
two members of 14 CES walked through the front
door. Trevor Jessome and Troy Gracie told the staff
how happy they were for the support they were getting
from the people of Lunenburg County.
The program had been in place in the past but Comrade Ken George decided it was time to re energize the
program and has begun to actively solicit businesses in
Bridgewater with the hope that one day the majority of
the town will be wearing red on Fridays.
The message is spreading as there have been a number of businesses that have indicated they are interested
and members of the branch will be contacting them to
set the plan in motion. With the tremendous support
the town has shown with the Yellow Ribbon campaign
we look forward to a very red look in the town on
many Fridays to come.
Fall 2010
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
9
Lotto Sweep Grand Prize Winner
The Grand Prize Lotto Sweep winner of $10,000 plus $1,000 seller’s prize for a total of
$11,000 was David Belden. Shown above during the prize presentation ceremony: (l to r) Zone
10 Commander Alan Fahey, Truro Branch 26 President Gary Higgins, David Belden, District C
Commander Jim Whitman.
Royal Canadian Legion Arras Branch 59 recently presented bursaries
to: (front l to r) Marlene MacKenzie, accepting for her son Cody; Curran
Arseneault, Colby Van Oirschot; (standing l to r) David MacKenzie, accepting for son Kyle; Branch 59 executive member Francis MacKinnon, Branch
59 bursary co-ordinator Ron Fraser, Branch 59 exectuive member Joe Van
Oirschot, Branch 50 1st Vice-President Bob Hillier.
Royal Canadian Legion Arras Branch 59
President Tom Harway presents Karen White
with a bursary for 2010/11. The bursary is
sponsored by the Branch 59 Poppy Trust Fund.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 59 recently presented 2010/11 bursaries.
Shown during the presentation ceremonies are: (front l to r) Karen White,
Derek McKenn, Megan Boyle; (back l to r) Branch 59 Finance Officer Greg
Prichard, bursary recipient Kim MacDonald, Branch 59 executive member
Joe Van Oirschot, Branch 59 1st Vice President Bob Hillier.
10
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
Fall 2010
Zone and Branch newss
Recruits honoured in Bridgewater
Dan Hennessey
PR Chairman
Since the beginning of war and conict young men
and women have stepped up to defend their freedom
and that of their countries from oppression.
Our country has a proud history of men and women
volunteering for service and each of those people have
their own reasons for answering their countries call.
During WWI many of the people that enlisted felt that
this was a big adventure and that if they did not hurry
the war would be over before they got there. Once they
arrived in the trenches their outlook on war was much
different but during WWI Canadian troops showed the
world what they could do and our military came into its
own.
Subsequent conicts were much the same as we
knew our country depended on us and we stepped up
selshly to do their part with many paying the ultimate
sacrice. The military of today is much different with
the need for young people with technical skills and
with the internet and video games playing such a big
part in their lives they are able to use some of these
skills in their highly technical roles in the military. On a
recent visit to Milwaukee we stayed at a hotel that was
a MEPS location. This was one of the many locations
that new recruits for the US military would gather
each day awaiting their orders for shipping out to basic
training. Engaging a number of them in conversation
was certainly an education on the way the US military
readies their young men and women for war. When
asked when they are shipping out the sharp response
would be “tomorrow Sir” and when asked where they
are expecting to go it was a variety of bases that would
prepare each of them for what lay ahead. Names like
Fort Sam Houston, Fort Benning in Georgia or Paris
Island would echo in their words.
When asked about why they enlisted the answers
were as varied as the small towns and large cities that
each called home. Some would say that they did it to
get a second chance and experience new things while
others would respond quickly by saying that they were
doing it for their country. Each had his or her own
reason for being there but each also had been told that
once basic training had ended they would very probably
be deployed to an area of the world far more dangerous then what they were accustomed to.
The recruits on hand at the hotel could each be on
any recruitment poster as the ultimate soldier, sailor or
marine, all dressed in the sharpest uniform full of medals and proof that each had done their part in some
far off land which would denitely effect some of the
decisions these young folks would make.
The path of young recruits in Canada is so much
different than that of our neighbours to the South.
From the time that a young person enlists the process
can take up to eight to 12 months and for a non-trade
individual, like infantry, it can be up to two years after
enrolment before that individual would ever be deployed to a theatre of operation and with other trades
taking up to three to four years.
So, you can see the drastic difference. In either situation these young people will be entering a world that
will provide each of them both tremendous opportunities but could also provide them with unimaginable
horror.
Branch 24 members want to recognize each of these
young warriors for taking on such a vital role to ensure
that we at home can continue to live and love the freedom and way of life that their predecessors have forged
on our behalf.
Beyond the Words
Dan Hennessey
PR Chairman
This yearmarks the 100th Anniversary of the Royal
Canadian Navy and with it will hold many emotional
ceremonies.
One ceremony that we at Branch 24 would like to
honour was carried out on February 24 and marked the
passing on another of our World WarII veterans. On
February 16, Alexander Fraser passed away at home at
the ne age of 92. When we open the newspaper and
see the Canadian ag above an obituary we immediately
know that we have lost another veteran and reading
these last notes one always wonders what involvement
did the person have during the war years.
While reading the accomplishments of one that
had reached such a distinguished age, the words that
are written only touch the surface of what and who
these people were. This particular outline indicated the
Alexander Fraser was a member of the Royal Canadian
Navy from 1939 to 1945 and served proudly aboard the
HMCS Ottawa. This, on the surface, would not mean
too much to many but when you look deeper into the
war years you come up with a deeper understanding of
(Continued on Page 13)
Fall 2010
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
11
Zone 14 newss
Remembrance Day services scheduled
By Joan Aalders
Zone 14 PR
Summer has gone and all legions should now be stating back with the fall and winter programs.
Winding down the summer months was the annual picnic held Aug. 1 at Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Gardens and sponsored by White Ensign Legion
Branch 129.
Walter Harrison Callow
Walter Harrison Callow was known as the Old Parsboro Soldier. Born in 1894, he enlisted in 1916 joining
the Royal Flying Corps. In 1917 he suffered severe
spinal injuries in a plane crash. While recuperating in
Advocate his condition worsened.
By 1930, he was almost completely paralyzed and
in 1937 was admitted to Camp Hill Veterans Hospital
where he remained until his death in 1958.
During WWII he organized a cigarette bank which
supplied troops overseas with millions of cigarettes. In
1947, completely blind, he invented a wheel chair coach
and in 1948 initiated the Callow Veterans and Invalid
League. By then, in 1952 he was completely paralyzed,
blind and both legs amputated. He still managed to
build up a eet of coaches which have continued to
transport disabled veterans to destinations of need and
interest for over half a century. Any donations would
be gratefully accepted and sent to the Walter Callow
Foundation.
Pop/beer can tabs
Zone 14 Commander Mona Saulnier would appreciate it if the legions would continue to forward their
pop/beer can tabs to her c/o Vimy Legion.
Bursaries presented
In August Zone Commander Mona Saulnier presented the Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command Bursary
Awards to the following students:
Nova Scotia /Nunavut Bursary – Kara Jenkins,
Laura Lambe
AIL Insurance Bursary – James Galpin-Flemming
Elsie Jean Lambert Scholarship – Michael Northorp
Congratulations to these students in the upcoming
year.
Call to Remebrance
Comrade Ken Arsenault, formerly from Hants
North Legion, took it upon himself to coach Hants
North students in the Call to Remembrance program.
In 1999, the rst year they entered this program, they
came second and the following year they came rst.
Former Hants North student Lacey Ann Patterson,
who had participated in the Call to Remembrance competition, went on to St. Mary’s University and began her
training in Criminology. In May, 2008, she graduated
with degree in Arts, earning a Major in Criminology,
with Minors in Biology and Sociology.
In November, 2009, Lacey was sworn into the
military and her goal is to see the world and to make
a difference. Comrade Arsenault feels that the Call to
Remebrance program was an inspiration in Corporal
Patterson’s joining the military.
Lacey Ann Patterson being sworn in for military
service in November, 2009.
Remembrance Day services
Atlantic Branch 153, Prospect Road
Earl Francis Branch 152, Sussex St., Spryeld
Fairview Branch 142, 50 Hillcrest St., Halifax
Hants North 166, 8706 Highway 2
MacDonald Branch, Greenhead Rd., Lakeside
Montgomery Branch 133, (parade, Eneld from
legion to St. Bernard’s Church)
St. Margaret’s Bay Branch 116 – St. Margaret’s Bay
Road
The Annual Remembrance Day church service will
be held at 7 p.m., Nov. 5 at St. Anges Church on Mumford Road, Halifax.
There will be a candlelight ceremony at Camp Hill
Veterans Building on November 7, 6 p.m.
Remembrance Day Service will be held November
11 at 11 a.m. at Camp Hill Veterans Building.
Remembrance Day Service will be held at the Grand
Parade a 11 a.m.
Zone Commander Mona Saulnier presented
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command bursaries to:
(top photo) Laura Lambe and (second from top)
Karen Jenkins; (third from top) AIL Insurance
Bursary to James Galpin-Flemming and (above)
the Elsie Jean Lambert Scholarship Award to
Michael Northorp.
12
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
Fall 2010
Notes from Nunavut
First sitting of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut.
The creation of a new territory
Although the Canadian Government has said the North has been part of Canada
for over a century, in reality Nunavut only joined this country ofcially in 1999.
Nowadays Inuit do not have the same freedom that they had in the past but they
decided to join Canada because they felt that:
1. through the Government of Nunavut they could control their future.
2. they could benet by being part of a large, rich and peaceful country.
The territorial Government of Nunavut (GN) is a public government, which
means it is a government run by all the people in Nunavut, both Inuit & Non-Inuit.
But because 85% of Nunavut’s residents are Inuit, that means they are in the majority and therefore are able to shape government decisions because most government
MLAs and senior bureaucrats are Inuit. Ottawa provides 90% of the budget to run
Nunavut because the territory’s population is small (31,000 in 2010) and because
everything is expensive up North.
The structure of the GN is similar to that of a Canadian provincial government.
However, a few notable differences exist:
1. Inuktitut is the main language of the government.
2. Inuit traditional knowledge and experience is drawn upon when making laws
and government policy through the approach called Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit
3. Most of the government ministers, MLA’s and about 50% of civil servants
are Inuit.
4. Training continues to help Inuit to move into government jobs.
5. GN offers courses that lead to employment such as tourism, construction,
nursing etc.
6. GN work contracts are offered to Inuit companies whenever possible.
7. GN is decentralised as much as possible so that government jobs and
buildings are placed all over Nunavut, not just in Iqaluit.
8. Elders are consulted on how best to preserve Inuit traditions.
9. Inuit control what happens to the land in 2 ways:
a) through the land claim agreement
b) by sitting on ve environmental boards as equals with the federal government
10. There are no political parties; decisions are made by consensus among the 19
MLAs
Both Inuit and the rest of Canada beneted by the creation of Nunavut. Ottawa
can now legally claim the Arctic as part of Canada. Inuit are better off because they
are now part of a rich, peaceful country and yet have control of their own territorial
government. Ten years later it is obvious that Nunavut and the land claim agreement
are works in progress, but the critical essential steps which were taken in the 1990s
can now be built upon.
Notes from Nunavut is a regular column providing background on Canada’s newest territory
and its people. Nick Newbery is a teacher, author and photographer who spent 30 years in the
North and who recently retired to Nova Scotia. The photographs which accompany this article are
drawn from three coffee table books he produced on the Eastern Arctic, all published by The Royal
Canadian Legion, Branch 168, in Iqaluit. www.iqaluitlegion.ca.
Fall 2010
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
Behind the words
Comrade Doc Bryan (top left) and Comrade JJ
O’Reilly, from RCL Somme Branch 31, are shown
decorated veteran’s graves at Woodlawn Cemetery. This is an annual event which takes place
just before November 11, Remembrance Day.
(Continued from Page 10)
the sacrice that Alexander made for his country
and the war effort. It seems that the HMCS Ottawa
conducted convoy escort duties in the western
Atlantic and during the spring of 1941 joined the
Newfoundland Escort Force where she continued
her service off the coast of Newfoundland until
her loss 15 months later.
Alexander Fraser was a young seaman on the
Ottawa and on September 13, 1942, 500 nautical
miles east of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Ottawa
was torpedoed. Less than 30 minutes later, unable
to maneuver, she was hit a second time. This time
the torpedo broke her in half, sinking her. With her
went the lives of ve ofcers, including the Commanding Ofcer, and 109 men. Only 65 survivors
were rescued from the freezing Atlantic waters.
Alexander Fraser found himself in the freezing
Atlantic Ocean which has been called the “great
equalizer of men and ships.” He was one of the
lucky ones and went on to live a long and fullling
life.
So we suggest that the next time you open the
paper and see a Canadian ag above an obituary,
you look a little deeper to learn more about these
men and women who did their part at a time that
was larger than life but now seem to fade away unnoticed. We will never forget their contribution.
13
14
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
Fall 2010
Zone and Branch newss
Shay Gorham (centre) was the 2009 first place winner senior category
Remembrance Day Literary and Poster Contest, Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command. The Royal Canadian Legion presented Shay with a plaque on July 27
during the general meeting at Bridgetown Branch 33. Shown above are (l
to r) Zone Commander Joseph Murphy, Shay Gorham, Bridgetown Branch
33 President Stuart Lenthall-Ascott.
Parade Commander Cmd. Tom Wallace followed by a combined Colour
Party from Branch 22 Bear River, Branch 20 Digby, Branch 67 Weymouth
and Branch 122 Clementsport, lead the Bear River Cherry Carnival Parade
on July 17.
WWII Veteran Arthur Isles and his wife Megan had their own contingent
in this year’s Bear River Cherry Carnival Parade, the occasion being Arthur’s 90th Birthday which took place on July 31. Arthur is a Life Member
and the oldest member of Branch 22 Bear River. He has been a member
since 1945. Over the years he has held many offices at Branch 22; President, 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents, Service Officer, Finance Chairman,
Entertainment Chairman, Public Relations Officer, Poppy Chairman, and
Building Maintenance Chairman. In 2005 Arthur was awarded the MSM.
His wife Megan, a war bride ,was also active in the Ladies Auxiliary and
is a Past President. Branch 22 would like to wish Arthur a belated Happy
Birthday with many thanks for all his years of service to the Royal Canadian
Legion.
The winner of $1000 Early Bird Draw was Comrade Vaughan Gangster
and the seller Comrade Wanda Moyer of Branch 98 Kingston. (l to r) District Commander Dave Geddes, Wanda Moyer, Vaughan Gamester, Branch
President Jim Desmond.
Fall 2010
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
15
Zone and Branch newss
(l to r) Zone 12 Commander Fred Molyneaux, Yarmouth Branch 61 President Gilbert Parker, Deputy Zone Commander Mark Stevens with Yarmouth AIL Insurance Bursaries recipients Kelsey Deveau
and Cody Robicheau.
On August 10, Debert Branch 106 President Charles Borden Jr. presented bursaries to Megan Taggart, Carly Langley, Kyle Hood and Geremy Richards. They were chosen from many entries to recieve
this annual bursary from the Legion.
Cape Breton District Commander Ted Martins presented the Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command Bursary to Meagan Burke of St. Peter’s and to Andy Landry of Petit De Grat. Presentations were made at
the Royal Canadian Legion Isle Madame Branch 150 in Arichat and were assisted by Branch President
Paul Samson. Meagan will be attending St. Mary’s University to study Criminology and Andy will be
attending NSCC-Port Hawkesbury Campus to study Business Administration.
At the Aug. 15 Cape Breton District meeting,
Zone Cdr. Mel Crowe presented the Certificate of
Award to Comrade Costigan, Br.151, for comrade
John Morgan of Br. 151 for his high start of 160
at the Provincial Dart Tournament.
Branch 8 President Brian Bobbitt and Lloyd
Hull having a chat after the meal at the vet’s
picnic.
This is Bill Osmond from Branch 83 cutting the
cake at the vets picnic with wife looking on.
16
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
Fall 2010
Zone and Branch newss
Zone 11 commander Carol Sabean recently presented the Elsie Jean
Lambert Memorial Scholarship for $1000 to Joel Doucet at Clare Branch 52.
Joel is attending NSCC Waterfront Campus, studying refrigeration. (above
l to r) Zone 11 Deputy Commander and Branch 52 President Remi Saulnier,
Joel Doucet and Zone 11 Commander Carol Sabean.
Combined Colour Parties from Digby, Weymouth, Clare, Bear River, Clementsport and Annapolis lead the Annual Scallop Days Parade in Digby.
Branch 20 Digby Cmd. Jack Gillespie rides in the Digby Scallop Days
Parade Aug 7. Cmd. Gillespie was Honorary Parade Commander for the
combined Colour Parties.
Each year, dozens of students receive bursaries and scholarships through
the Royal Canadian Legion. Pictured (front l to r) are three Lower Sackville
students, Dominique Nielson, recipient of the NS/NU Command Bursary as
well as Renaye Quinn and Kelly Carson who each received an Elsie Jean
Lambert Scholarship. The presentations were made by (back row) Zone 15
Commander Val Hawley and Calais Branch 162 1st Vice President Earnie
Harrison. We wish each of the recipients much success in their future endeavors.
Fall 2010
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
17
Zone and Branch newss
RCL Branch 10 President Charles McWhirter looks on as Zone 7 Commander Robert Hoeg presents Corrine Tibbo with a $500 NS/NU Command Bursary. Corrine is attending NSCC, enrolled in the two-year Business Administration Program.
Hants County Branch 9, Windsor, hosted their Annual Veteran’s Banquet
in May. Above, a combined Colour Party marches on the colours to get the
banquet underway.
Zone 11 Commander Carol Sabean recently presented the Wales Scholarship for $3,000 to Robyn Savary of Smith’s Cove, Digby County. The
presentation was made at Branch 22, Bear River. Pictured (l to r) Zone 11
Commander Carol Sabean, Robyn Savary, Branch 22 President Ernie Ryan.
Isle Madame Branch 150 1st Vice-president and Bursary Committee
Chair Donald Goyetche is shown with Katelyn Forgeron (left) and Heidi
Landry, two of the four 2010 high school graduates who were awarded
$300 Branch150 bursaries.
18
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
Fall 2010
Zone and Branch newss
Zone 7 Commander Robert Hoeg is shown
presenting River Hebert Branch 14 Ladies Auxiliary President Joan Linkletter with a 75th Year
Plaque of Congratulations from NS/NU Command. This is the 75th year of the Ladies Auxiliary at the River Hebert branch.
Vets from Sydney Mines Branch 8, North Sydney Branch 19, Florence Branch 83, Baddeck Branch
53 at the annual picnic.
On August 25, Cmd. Eric Albright, president of Carpiquet Branch 92, Freeport traveled
to C.F.B. Shilo MB, to see his son Pte. Michael
Albright graduate from Infantry Qualification
Course as Top Candidate. Pte. Albright is now a
member of “B” Coy, 2nd Bn. PPCLI.
Pictured are 25 members of River Hebert Branch 14 Ladies Auxiliary. The Ladies were recently
honored with a dinner and awards night. (Front row l to r) Stella Arseneau, Muriel Trask, Minnie
Porter, President Joan Linkletter, Helen Droesbeck, Irene Richards, Lucy Sawatzky; (second row) Ruth
LeBlanc, Myrtle Grant, Norma Waugh, Aggie Eagles, Anne Hatherly, Joyce White, Inez Spears, Susan
Dow; (third row) Doreen Legere, Almira Wood, Linda Grant, Effie Card, Wilma Quinn, Joyce LeBlanc,
Barb O`Brien, Carol Linkletter, Glenna Wood, Ruth Morris.
Saint Andrew’s Junior School students presented Antigonish Branch 59 with a sheet autographed by all the students. The presentation
was made during 2009 Remembrance Day activities.
Fall 2010
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
19
Zone and Branch newss
In June, Jordan Raftus received the Branch 165 Legion Bursary valued
at $1000 during the Avon View High School graduation. On August 23,
Jordan was presented with the cheque to further his studies. Present for the
presentation were Poppy Chairman Eric Bent, Uniacke and District Branch
165 President Mabel McCarthy, Jordan and Bursary Committee Chairman
Jim Kennickell.
Tera MacPherson of Dunvegan, Inverness County was awarded a $500
bursary from Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of the Royal Canadian
Legion. She graduated in June 2010 from Inverness Academy and Education Center and will be attending St. Francis Xavier University in September
in the Fall of 2010. Presenting the Bursary in early August is Comrade Art
Hall, Zone 3 Commander, assisted by Comrade Gordon Gillis, President of
Captain Angus L. Macdonald, Branch 132, Inverness and Comrade Lawrence MacDonald, Secretary/Treasurer of Captain Angus L. Macdonald,
Branch 132, Inverness, N.S.
Carpiquet Branch 92 celebrates our Navy’s 100th anniversary during the annual Freeport Days
parade in August with a replica of HMCS Sackville. The float won a trophy for second place over all.
(Luanne Thurber-Titus)
Catherine Urquhart, 93, and WWII Veteran
Wilfred Barrett, 90, cut the cake at the July 1
Canada Day celebrations in St. Peter’s Branch 47.
20
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
Fall 2010
Zone and Branch newss
Comrades of the Captain Angus L. Macdonald Branch 132, Inverness, attended a recent educational awards ceremony held at the Inverness Academy and Education Centre, hosted by the Honourable
Mayann E. Francis, ONS, Lt. Governor of Nova Scotia and the Strait Regional School Board.
Recently the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 38, Liverpool, Nova Scotia, presented a $1500 cheque
to the Tri Service Club. Shown during the presentation is RCL Liason Cmde Paul Neals and receiving it
are Sgt Kyle Clarkson, Flt Sgt Nathan Godfrey, Cpl Tyler Boone and Tri Service Club chairperson Phillip Mulle. The Legion is one of the three prime members of the Service Club which support the local
Cadets.
At Arras Branch 59 in Antigonish, associate
member Comrade Doreen Clyke mans the Royal
Canadian Legion membership information booth
at the Eastern Nova Scotia Exhibition in Antigonish in September.
Branch 126 Poppy Co-Chairs Ruby and Jack
Royale with bursary recipient Suzanne Foote.
Fall 2010
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
21
Zone and Branch newss
Zone 15 Commander Val Hawley and Centennial Branch 160 President
Evelynn Cole present Caitlyn Webb with a Jack Moore Bursary.
Robert Lamond (centre) is the recipient of the AIL Insurance Bursary from
Debert Branch 106. Shown making the presentation are Zone 10 Commander Alan Fahay (left) and Branch 106 representative Charles Borden Jr.
Bursaries were recently presented in Zone 2: (top photo l to r) Branch
12 President Mike Flemming, Zone 2 Commander Mel Crowe, bursary
recipient Allison MacArthur, mother of the recipient; (centre photo l to
r) Zone 2 Commander Mel Crowe, recipient Mark Morrison, Branch
15 Past President Doris MacDonald, Branch 15 President Tom White;
(bottom photo l ot r) Zone 2 Commander Mel Crowe, recipient Allan
MacAulay, Branch 12 President Mike Flemming.
Comrades Anne Reddick and Don Kennedy of the New Glasgow Legion
Branch 34 Normandy are pleased to share a photo of the branch’s new
kitchen stove. This stove will assist the branch in the making of many more
hot turkey suppers.
22
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
Fall 2010
Zone and Branch newss
Shown during recent bursary presentations at Truro Branch 26: (l to r)
Branch 26 1st Vice President Murray Dawson; Travis McMaster – Jack Moore
Memorial Bursary; Janelle Lamothe, NS/NU Command Bursary; Andrea
LeBlanc – NS/NU Command Bursary; Zone 10 Commander Alan Fahey.
During the Aug. 2 Bursary Award Night at Branch 26, $100 bursary
cheques were presented by branch members (front l to r) Lillian Faulkner,
Joyce Mingo, Carol MacMillan and Murray Dawson to: (back l to r) Thorton
Atkinson, William MacKenzie, Edward Wright, Nicholas Bell; (middle l to r)
Rachel Boyce, Kelsey MacKenzie,. Krystle MacKenzie, Brittany Hoeg, Allison
Taylor; absent – Andrea Christine LeBlanc and Rene Boudreau.
An over 50 (service) dart shoot was held in Stellarton for the provincial
and maritime titles. The winners were from Somme Branch 31: (l to r) Robert MacDow, Ed Merlin, Bill Awalt and John Stone.
Zone 15 Commander Val Hawley and Caen Branch 164 1st Vice President John Bennett present Melanie Dorion with a NS/NUN Command
Bursary, Adam Ehler with the Elsie Jean Lambert Scholarship, Madison Holmans with a NS/NUN Bursary, John Brad Greenan with an AIL Insurance
Bursary and Nicholas O’Leary with a NS/NUN Command Bursary.
Somme Branch 31 1st Vice President Dave Camp, Branch 31 President
Bill Brooks and Zone 15 Commander Val Hawley present Michael Cameron
with a Command Bursary and Cameron Warshick an Elsie Jean Lambert
Scholarship.
St. Peter’s Branch 47 President Jackie Hopkins presents $350 bursaries to
(l to r) Christine Hussey, Megan Martell, Colin Peeples and Megan Burke.
Fall 2010
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
23
Zone and Branch newss
Westside Legion
Branch 126 veterans
pose with committee
members: (back l to r)
President Wes Murphy, Zelda McPhail,
George MacKay, Alex
Meinnis, Lou Shaheen,
Doris Heading, Patricia
Doucet; (front) Ruby
Royale, Vet George
Cann, Ray McKay, Murray McKay and Vince
Ells.
Branch 126 2009 Poppy C0-Chairs Ruby and
Jack Royale.
Attending the D-Day Parade at the Somme Branch 31: (l to r) comrade
President Bill Brooke, Liberal MP Mike Savage, Comrade Pat Mallen (front),
Comrade Marc Gauthier, HRM Mayor Peter Kelly.
An AIL Insurance $500 bursary was recently presented to St. Francis
Xavier University student Lauren Mood by Carleton Branch 167 President
Glendon Gavel. Also in the photo is Lauren’s father Greg (right).
Calais Branch 162 Lower Sackville welcomes new members at their General meeting in September.
(Front l to r) Samantha Day, Julianna Johnson, Grace Ann Edith Scott, Dorothy L. Fossett and Carol
Oliver; (back l to r) Russell Allen, Richard Bensen, Malcolm Cunningham and Steven B Paget.
Hon. Peter MacKay (centre) is shown chatting
with Comrade Joe Costigan and wife at the annual Josie Boyd Memorial Lobster Dinner held on
June 20. The lobsters for this dinner were donated by descendants of Josie Boyd who served in
the navy in WWII and was a longtime member of
Arras Branch 59.
24
T H E
O F F I C I A L
P U B L I C AT I O N
O F
N O V A
S C O T I A /
N U N AV U T
C O M M A N D
Fall 2010
The 2010 Leadership Training Camp was held at NSAC on June 26 to July 5. Thanks go out to all Branches who provided sponsorship for students to
attend. It is because of this generosity that the Leadership Camp continues to support our youth. Without this we could be in jeopardy of losing this great
program. Special thanks to the camp staff for their dedication to this program.
31380 10-25