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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-07-03, Page 2PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2008. A memorial window was dedicated at Brussels United Church on Sunday. In May 2006 Edwards Glass Co., Ltd. of London was at Brussels United Church to do work on a window at the front of the church. Upon inspection, another window, the First World War memorial window, installed around 1920, was found to need immediate attention. There are seven names on this window of men who paid the ultimate sacrifice in that war: Cleve Denbow, Frank Gerry, Lisle McCracken, Wilfred Lott, Will Mayberry, Clarence Jackson and Melvin Bunston. The window was taken out to be repaired the following spring and in conversation with a Legion member, the church board were informed it could likely get assistance through Veterans Affairs as there is a program to help with restoration work of this kind. An e-mail address brought immediate action from Veterans Affairs in Charlottetown, PEI. A nine-page application was sent through and the board of stewards worked on applying to the program for assistance. Several phone calls, e-mails, quote information and pictures had to be gathered and submitted. There was a two-week deadline to gather the required items and fill out the application as the committee that approves these applications was due to meet and the information had to be in. Veterans Affairs informed the church board in October 2007 that they had approved the applicationand would provide up to a maximumof $2,500 towards this work.Contracts were signed and therestoration work proceeded.The window had to be placed inacid baths to remove old lead, which took some time, also small pieces of glass had to be replaced. At the 2007 Homecoming weekend, Kathy (Leach) McColl gave a generous donation toward the restoration work. An anonymous donation was also received to complete the work. The window was returned late this past winter. The total cost was approximately $5,300. Another Canada Day is gone, I hope you spent part of the day in quiet appreciation of our home and native land. Then if all went well for your Tuesday, part of the time should have been spent wearing spiffy red and white attire and being noisily happy. Excitement and joy are a needed part of life. Canada is a diverse country where joy is expressed in many ways. We also are a place of peace, a land that assumes we respect the ways of our neighbours. We celebrate our diversity and know that we are not all the same as it was intended. Our history is very interesting and it is a pure miracle that the people who came before us set the stage so well for us. So thanks for all the examples of working together to make Canada a great place to live. Speaking of working together, the Kids Corner crew are getting set for July 7. The Brussels-area churches find volunteers in their midst to supervise, play, sing and feed our school-age kids for a week of fun afternoons. Bring your young friends to the Mennonite Church next Monday at 1 p.m. They’ll have a good time. If you want to be part of the fun I’m sure Jill Sholdice can find you a job. The Memorial Window at Brussels United Church was rededicated on Sunday. This beautiful stained-glass window was placed in the church in 1924 to celebrate the lives of the young men who died in the First World War. A pamphlet of the original service with words to the hymn sang at that service is the source of the phrase ‘lest we forget’ and a pretty neat thing to have in the church’s archives. The film crew for the History channel that was in Brussels last month shed new light on several of the items that are in the window. The swords, the poppy and the words all have historical meaning according to Mark George the director of the military museum at Shilo, Manitoba. The timing was extra special as the rededication service was set when the crew came to see the window and ask about Will Mayberry. From their research he had dealings with the initial use of mortar fire and they were trying to fill in other details of his life. As we celebrate our history and the beauty of the window it was great that living details could be added to the words of remembrance. Catherine McColl, author with fond memories of growing up as the little Leach girl in Brussels, also was generous in her remembering Brussels history. Ruth Sauve and Ken Fralick are also thanked for their generosity Enjoy the good days of July. Bye now, Betty G.W. War memorial window dedicated Special service The First World War memorial window at Brussels United Church was dedicated on Sunday. The window, which lists seven names of men who paid the ultimate sacrifice, was recently refurbished. On hand for the dedication were Greg McClinchey representing MP Paul Steckle’s office, Jo-Ann McDonald, Legion president and contributor Ruth Sauvé-Schade. Catherine and Stephen McColl also contributed to the refurbishment in memory of her parents, Bill and Jean Leach. Jean was a charter member of the Legion Auxiliary and Bill was an elder at Brussels United Church. (Vicky Bremner photo) By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-6236 887-9231 A NOTE FROM BETTY NEWS FROM BRUSSELS Thank You Brussels Public School Graduating Class of 2008, would like to thank everyone who helped to make our graduation a success, as well as supporting our fundraising activities. We are truly grateful and feel honoured to be part of such a wonderful community. Thank you. By Jo-Ann McDonald There were four Brussels Comrades off to 42nd Royal Canadian Legion Dominion convention in Ottawa last week. Attending were Jo-Ann McDonald, John Lowe, Rick McDonald and Eric Ross. They drove to Ottawa on Saturday and returned on Wednesday evening. The parade was the first thing on the agenda for Sunday morning. Comrades Jo-Ann and Eric carried the flags for Brussels Br. 218 in the parade which featured five bands and hundreds of comrades from across Canada. The parade formed up at the Parliament buildings and marched down Rideau Street past the reviewing stand at the National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The reviewing officer for the parade was Prince Floris of the Netherlands, who is the godson of the Royal Canadian Legion. An interesting story in Canada’s history was that during the Second World War, the then Queen of the Netherlands, Queen Beatrice, was expecting a child. She came to Canada where a special Act of Parliament, proclaimed a small area of ground Netherland soil, so the child would be born Dutch and not be a dual citizen. That child was Princess Margarite, who later married and had a son. The Netherlands have been grateful for Canada’s safe haven and granted the Royal Canadian Legion, the honour of being “god parent” to that son, Prince Floris. The Prince and his wife, Princess Aimee also were on hand to open the 42nd Royal Canadian Legion convention and to sit in on some of the business proceedings. The Monday session of the convention began at 8:30 a.m. and was a full day of resolutions and elections for the president and first vice-president of Dominion Command. The past president is Comrade Jack Frost, who was from Port Elgin until his retirement to Marmora. The new president is Comrade Wilfred Edmund, Nova Scotia and the first vice-president is Comrade Pat Varga, Saskatchewan. A special guest speaker for the day was The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs. He gave an excellent speech on veterans’issues that are important to him and to the Royal Canadian Legion and veterans. The day ended near 6 p.m. with nominations for vice-presidents and some resolutions being voted on. Tuesday began early again with the elections of the three vice- presidents. Ontario fared very well with Comrades Gord Moore, Elmira and Erl Kish of Eastern Ontario and Paulette Cook of Quebec being elected. There were also guest speakers addressing the 1,358 Comrade delegates. General Rick J. Hillier, Chief of Defence Staff and Honourary Dominion vice- president, spoke of the proud history of this country standing up for freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. He also spoke of how the Legion bridges the past to the present. He was very interesting and very well received by the Comrades. There were committee reports to hear and question as well as over 80 resolutions to vote on throughout the day. The delegates also elected a treasurer and chairman for Dominion Command. The most controversial resolution of the convention was the representation on Command. In the past each province was represented in relation to the numbers of Comrades in the province. In an effort to reduce costs and to change with the times and the age of electronic communications, it was felt that Command would be reduced in size. Dominion Command will now have one representative per province, along with the elected positions (seven) and meet two or three times a year. Wednesday was the final day of convention with some resolutions still being discussed and the installation of the new officers of Command. There was not much off time while we were away but we were able to take in a few sites. A walking tour of downtown Ottawa enabled us to see the Parliament buildings, Rideau Canal, the National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The famous Sparks Street and the International Ribfest was on and we enjoyed a feed of delicious ribs and At the Branch Comrades attend convention Continued on page 6 BBrruusssseellss LLiibbrraarryy SSSS uuuu mmmm mmmm eeee rrrr RRRR eeee aaaa dddd iiii nnnn gggg PPPP rrrr oooo gggg rrrr aaaa mmmm LLaauugghh OOuutt LLoouudd Every Tuesday July 8 to August 12 2:30 to 3:30 Ages 6 to12 FREE