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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2013-12-18, Page 5letters to the editor Wednesday, December 18, 2013 • News Record 5 www.clintonnewsrecord.com Legion founded on the need for camaraderie and support To the editor, Dear Comrades, the Legion and its more than 320,000 members have a long tradition of Veterans helping Veterans. After WWI, Vet- erans identified a need to meet with other Veterans in an informal atmosphere. They wanted a place where they could go without fear of being judged or stigmatized and could relate with each other following their deploy- ment experiences whether in Canada or overseas. In 1926, they realized the power in numbers and banded together to create The Royal Canadian Legion. The challenges facing Veterans, both while serving and after release, are wide -spread and have uniquely developed through the roles and responsibilities they take on while in service. Some Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and RCMP members may have suffered grave wounds, loss of col- leagues and friends, operational stress inju- ries, mental health challenges, and difficul- ties transitioning to civilian life. These challenges are not new to the CAF or RCMP and the challenges can persist well beyond their years of service. Yet it is from these challenges that the Legion was first formed in 1926... and to this day, it is the rea- son the Legion continues to help. The Legion started from a variety of dispa- rate veterans' associations who faced chal- lenges obtaining the care and benefits their country had promised them. Together, they formed an association where all Veterans could come together and advocate on each other's behalf. This is as true of the Legion today as it was in 1926. The Legion was founded on the need for Veterans to bring their collective voice forward and for it to be heard. They came together because they fought together. Often, one of the biggest challenges in the Veteran community is getting information and assistance to those who need it. Our local Legion Branches are the boots -on -the - ground connection to Veterans and their families. Now, more than ever, we need to reach out to Veterans, their families and our communities and there are a number of ways we can do this: - Our Branch Services Officers in more than 1,460 branches across Canada are encouraged to reach out to their local Vet- eran community and meet with Veterans to assess and address needs and to refer them to the services available to them through their Command Service Officer. • We encourage branches and members to proactively reach out to the community at large, and invite and welcome Veterans to visit their branch, participate in public activi- ties, hold an open house, or invite other service clubs to hold a meeting at your branch. • We encourage our member Veterans, and all branch members to welcome all generations of Veterans into the fold. Our senior Veterans can remember back to when they were young and can relate to much of what the younger Veterans are experiencing. Our newer Vet- erans can gain valuable insight and camaraderie from an older generation of Veterans and share in similar experiences across the years. Whether a Veteran comes just to visit, or to get help and support, or to become a member, all should be welcomed with open arms. There are many challenges facing our Vet- erans, both young and old, and it is through connecting these generations of Veterans, that they can gain strength, find comfort, and get the support they need. The Legion is here to help all Veterans connect, share, talk and live their lives to the fullest. The Legion is a Veteran's extended military family, because we understand Veterans and we care for them. Sincerely, Gordon Moore Dominion President The Royal Canadian Legion Arena is a place where memories are built Dear Bluewater Council Members, My name is Marlese Coombs and I have been a member of the Bayfield Skating Club for 11 years. The Bayfield arena has been my second home. When I saw the words "Thanks for the memories" painted on the ice it broke my heart. Over the years I have built memories and made lifelong friendships. An arena is a centre of a community. You not only skate with people your own age but you skate with younger and older people! That has had a real impact on me, I was able to skate with my cousin who is seven years older then me. My cousin is a best friend, and role model, because of the Bayfield figure skating club I was able to make a lasting bond with her. That is the great thing about having a small club you can make friendships. I spend five maybe six days a week on the ice, I play hockey and I figure skate. I have been to a lot of arenas and none of those fancy new arenas compare to the Bayfield arena. The Bayfield arena to me just feels like going home. The ice surface is so crisp, I don't even know any other word to describe it but perfect. Forget the dressing rooms, forget all of the fancy little things, just think about the ice. The smooth, crisp, hard ice of the Bayfield arena. Thanks to the skating club I have learned so many life skills and lessons. I learned how to teach kids, and how to be enthusias- tic even if you don't feel like it. I learned how to get along with everyone, and how to be more coachable in any sport. But most of all I learned no matter hard things get you have to keep trying, no matter how many times you get pushed down you have to stand backup and keep trying. That is why I feel an ice surface needs to stay in our community because I want those little skat- ers on the ice that the other girls and I help to coach to have the same opportunities we have had. I want them to be able to meet different people in their own community, not someone else's community. Thanks to these life lessons I know that no matter how many times we are pushed down we will continue to try. Figure skating is a passion not just a sport. I know to you it is just an ice surface but for me it is where I have grown up. Sincerely, Marlese Coombs, 14 LET'S MAKE CANCER HISTORY For information about cancer, Services or to make a donation 1- • www.cancer.ca Canadian Cancer Society Sucikti cana,dienile du cancer