Legion Leanings

The people of The Foothills area have once again shown their respect and appreciation for the sacrifices of our Veterans and have shown that they care. From Red Deer Lake in the North to Longview in the South; from Okotoks in the East through to Bragg Creek in the West and including the residents of Black Diamond and Turner Valley, we have had a wonderful response to our Poppy Campaign. The Trust Funds that are now available for our surviving veterans and their dependents in need will make sure that we can continue to provide the assistance that so many of them require.
How things change though! While we knew that the folks in the area serviced by the Turner Valley Legion had donated very generously to this year's Poppy Campaign, we reported earlier that we would likely fall short of last year's incredible total. That now appears to have been somewhat pessimistic. At the time of writing, with some monies still to arrive at the Branch for wreaths and as individual donations, the total sits at $34,000.00 and counting. A thousand thank yous! A final total will be made public when all monies are received.
The Remembrance Day Ceremony in Black Diamond was well-supported and from all accounts so were those held in Bragg Creek and Okotoks. We thank those responsible for the organisation of those ceremonies. Without a Legion in the Community, it is comforting to know that there are those who are willing to provide this service.
It is perhaps worth noting here that we do have a large number of residents outside of the obvious areas of Turner Valley and Black Diamond who are members of Branch 78. We welcome all who would like to join us wherever you live in our area. With four categories of membership, there is one for almost everyone who can support the Legion's Purposes and Objects. Essentially, we promote Remembrance, Veterans Advocacy and Community Service, including to seniors and youth.
Still with the theme of Remembrance, local judging of the Poster and Literary entries from the area schools began over the weekend. Poems, Essays and Black and White along with Colour Posters in the four age categories will be judged in the next week or so. Winners from the three older age groups will be submitted to Area and District Levels. Any success there means that they will be judged at Provincial and perhaps National Levels.
As Christmas approaches, members should note the holiday arrangements and closures. On Friday, December 9th, there will be no buffet supper available. The hall is booked for a large party which prevents other meal service. There will be a Buffet on the 16th and that will be the last one for the year. Our last opening night before the holidays is Tuesday, December 20th. We will re-open for the New Year's Eve Gala.
The work of the Legion is ongoing, but as we close out the year 2011, we can look back at the advances we have made at the branch as among others we enhanced our Remembrance Activities with Monthly Memorial Ceremonies at the Cenotaph. These were held from April to October and commemorated fallen veterans of significant Canadian Military Achievements as well as set-backs throughout the past hundred years. We recently installed co-chaplains to serve the spiritual needs of our Branch and we welcome them to service; our Entertainment Committee has worked hard to bring more life to the branch and are already well into the planning of events for next year; new Bursary Programmes are approved for dependents of Veterans from the three area High Schools
It is also appropriate that we remember the contributions to a better world made by the Men and Women in all branches of the Canadian Forces. While the Libyan mission is over and Afghanistan is no longer a “Combat” zone, those who still serve there are not living in a peaceful place. Forward Operating Bases are no longer manned for the most part by our forces, but there is still danger as we saw only too well very recently. We wish them all a Merry Christmas and a safe return to Canada.
On behalf of Branch President Comrade Jackson; President of the LA, Madame Wegelin and the executives and members of both the Branch and the Ladies Auxiliary, may I close by wishing you all a safe, healthy and enjoyable Christmas season.

Serving Veterans, Seniors, Youth and the Community,
Malcolm Hughes