Legion Leanings

Phew! While it is not yet over, the Campaign to ensure that our Veterans in need can continue to rely on assistance from the Poppy Trust Fund is wrapping up as we write. While we will probably fall a little short of last year's incredible total, the citizens of our area have once again come through in these hard economic times. We thank you all for your unwavering support.
This campaign is a long one through the planning, execution and wrap-up, though its public face only begins locally with the presentation of the poppies to our civic leaders. It is possible only through the dedicated assistance of many, many volunteers; they help distribute the poppies throughout the region, sit with boxes at the various large stores and service/pick up those boxes that were placed around in banks, stores, restaurants and schools.
Amidst all this was the preparation for the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony. This year once again, a packed house was the order of the day at Oilfields High School where the service was led by our co-Chaplains. The assistance of the Oilfields Cubs and Scouts added to the ceremony as did the presence of several members of the RCMP Detachment along with members of the Air Cadets. Later, a Branch Colour Party attended to assist with a short ceremony of Remembrance at the Okotoks Oilers' Hockey game.
All our area schools hold their own Remembrance Day Ceremonies and we veterans who attend are always moved by the efforts put into the presentation. Music, videos and recitations are often part of the programme and the respect with which the speakers' talks are received is a tribute to the schools, the teachers and the students.
We are now awaiting the expected deluge of entries for the Poster and Literary competition. These will be collected shortly and put to the judges. If our past history is to be relied on, Turner Valley Branch will once again receive more entries than any other branch in Canada. We thank our schools and teachers for taking part in these annual events and reminding our young people of the huge importance of remembering the debt we owe our service personnel.
Services to veterans in need are available by contacting the Service Officer at the branch. This is a very confidential service and names of those who make use of those services are never announced. At this time, more than ever, as the use of local food banks as well as the dedicated veterans' food bank in Calgary is increasing, we must be ever vigilant in protecting our veterans from the effects of economic or medical hardship. We are seeing more and more stories of homeless veterans, many suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder resulting from their service in various theatres. Pride can often prevent them from coming forward to seek help so somehow, we have to find ways to reach out to them.
In Branch business, our Early Bird Membership drive is entering its final phase. All 2012 dues paid on or before November 30th will entitle the member to an entry into the draw for one of six offers to refund the money or pre-pay 2013 dues. There has been a significant increase in enquiries about membership in the Legion and several new member applications were approved at the November meeting. We welcome any who can subscribe to the goals of our organisation whether or not they have a military background. There are several membership categories and most people can be accommodated within our structure.
If you are interested in the ever-popular seniors' dinners, please be sure to phone and book your seats for the Christmas Dinner to be served on Monday, November 28th. The menu will include turkey and all the trimmings and the hall will surely be seasonally decorated. This is always a heavily booked event and delay will almost inevitably result in disappointment. The annual New Years' Eve gala is presently in the planning stages. Details will be announced shortly.
December is a busy month for Christmas Parties at the branch. Some of these, depending on the size of the group, could require the use of the entire building and would mean that normal operating hours are restricted. Please watch for announcements if any such were to occur. The popular "Breakfast With Santa" is set for Saturday, December 3rd. Parents please register your children for this event in order to be able to attend. The Branch will be closed during the holiday period but actual dates are not yet available. Again, please watch for announcements.
The very successful indoor sports programmes will all take a break over the holidays. Last dates for participants will be announced as will the dates for starting again in January. Area A play downs for pairs Cribbage players are scheduled for Turner Valley Branch on Saturday, November 26th.
There will not be a general meeting in December. We will resume in January.

~ Serving our Veterans, Seniors, Youth and the Community.
Malcolm Hughes