Gifts and Gripes - Gordan Day

(Page 11)

Dear Editor
I take umbrage to the statement that refers to the Royal Canadian Legion as a “drinking hole for old vets to exchange war stories”. There is no substantiated fact to this statement, nor does it bear any resemblance to the Legion.
The Royal Canadian Legion was organized to give support to those who returned and respect to those lost in battle and the entire earth is their sepulchre. It provides a place where our vets and families along with those who respect the cause may gather in a quiet and respectful atmosphere. The Legion makes oath to serve those who need our support, the aged and the poor, and their families. It is obligated to serve the community, the aged and the youth.
The Legion is the longest sponsor of all levels of the Boy Scout movement in this area of Canada and is also the longest sponsor of a community organized gymnastics in Canada. It annually holds Hallowe'en, Easter and Christmas parties for hundreds of children and donates to other youth groups as well as the sponsor for scholarships for our high schools. Branch 78 also supports the national Legion Track & Field Camps at which some of our athletes have gained national placement. The Branch has also provided for special needs to our aging seniors including scooters and other personal needs. Branch 78 pioneered the home monitoring program providing security for those seniors living in their own homes.
Many have the advantage of our pool and darts program and many of our seniors enjoy crib nights. It is of interest to note that the majority of the players do not drink.
Family dinners are available providing an opportunity for our veterans to enjoy socializing with their grandchildren as well as other youth and families in the area.
Our veterans offered their lives and health for our protection so that we can enjoy the benefits of living in one of the greatest nations on earth. In response, the Legion recognizes this with dinners for our vets, Salute to Holland and the honouring of our Armed Forces.
To my observance, the degrading statement was to draw the library out of the agreement of being part of Centre 78 – a financially logical project that was drawing the communities together for a common good. The withdrawal from the agreement has exploded the congenial atmosphere to a divisiveness and confusion which hasn't existed for decades. The vitriolic attitude against the Legion is not only degrading but without substance. Having been an educator in the community I have spent many years up to 15 hours a day to assist in the provision for education, healthy activities for our youth, community, elderly and veterans.
To refer to the Legion as a “drinking hole” is an ignorant and derogatory remark – one that is definitely unpatriotic and in some nations would be on the borderline of treasonous. It is the utmost of insults to those who fought, suffered unimaginably and many died for our cause. To be unjustly accosted with this statement is an insult to them and indeed our country.
Because of these veterans, our streets are not armoured leaving individuals, whose only mission is self-serving, the freedom to actually make inflammatory statements without being arrested.
I personally have no tolerance for individuals who author such attitudes and wonder why they have to be so self-centered that they cannot simply say THANKS.
Sincerely
Gordon Day


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