HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1981-09-16, Page 3THE BRUSSELS POST, SEPTEMBER 16, 1981 A3
50 years of acommunity work
BY DEBBIE RANNEY
Brussels. Royal Canadian Legion Branch
218 celebrated 50 years in existenc e, over
the weekend.
To start things off, a pub night with a
dance to records, sing-song and get acquaint-
ed party was held at the Legion Friday
night
Saturday night's activities consisted of a
banquet and dance at the B.M.G. Community
Centre. Guest speaker for the banquet was
Comrade Bill Smith, Second Vice-President
of the Provincial Command. He was intro-
duced by Morris. Township Reeve Bill. Elston.
Comrade Smith said that someone with a
dream had rounded up veterans ,who had to
start selling the idea of a Brussels Legion
Branch and this certainly took good leaders
and helpers.
"The leaders became branch presidents
and the helpers became working members
and every branch needs working members,"
he said.
"Those men gathered together over
concern for the veteran's plight. That of
course is what the Brussels Legion was all
about and still is."
"We have not forgotten the initial reason
for the formation of the Brussels Canadian
Legion."
He also mentioned the Ladies Auxiliary,
"who are always there to help us."
In talking to the younger Legion members
he said, "In 25 years there will be another
celebration and another reason for a
celebration, and you will-be the ones who are
responsible for it. Please don't forget your
obligations."
Following his speech, he presented Brus-
sels Legion president Don Blenkhorn with a
plaque from the Provincial Command in
honour of the Brussels Legion's 50 years.
Also present at the banquet on Saturday
night were Huron-Bruce M.P. Murray
Cardiff who also made the presentation of a
plaque to the president and who presented
some American Legion members with
Canadian flags. He and Huron-Bruce M.P.P.
Murray Elston spoke on the Legion's history.
Reeve Roy Williamson brought greetings
from Grey Township, Reeve Bill Elston
brought greetings from Morris Township
and Reeve Cal Krauter brought greetings
from Brussels saying they were proud to have
the Royal Canadian Legion in the village.
Legion Ladies Auxiliary President Grace
Siitzi brought greetings from the Auxiliary
saying they wished to congratulate the men
for celebrating their 50th anniversary and
how proud they were to share the weekend
with them.
The Brussels Legion was also presented
with an American flag from Paul Dake,
president of the American Legion. Murray
Lowe presented the Legion with a plaque on
behalf of the Brussels Lions Club.
Veterans of the First World War who
attended the banquet were recognized.
District Commander Len Dunkel brought
greetings as did Bob Chapman, the Zone
Commander of Zone C-1.
Sunday was a big day for the Brussels
Legion. Lloyd Anderson of Elmira, the
Deputy District Commander of District C laid
a wreath at the cenotaph as did Brussels
Legion president Don Blenkhorn. A parade
then proceeded from the Legion past a
reviewing stand consisting of Don Blenkhorn,
Glen Bridge, Deputy Zone Commander for
Zone I and Lloyd Anderson.
Following the parade, a drumhead service
was held at the arena. Participating in the
service were the Legion's new padre Rev.
Charles Swan of Duff's. United Church in
Walton, Rev. Ken Innes of the Melville
Presbyterian Church, Brussels, former padre
Rev. Eric LeDrew of the Union United Church
and Rev. Dr. R. Gordon Hazlewood of
Brussels.
FIRST WORLD WAR VETERANS — First World War veterans
were recognized at the Brussels Legion's 50th anniversary
banquet held Saturday night. From left are Clarke Matheson,
Cliff Dunbar, George
Moe Wineberg and
Inglis, Fred Thuell,
Jim Bremner.
(Photo by Ranney)
PARADING TO THE ARENA — The Brussels Centre where a drumhead service followed in
Legion Pipe Band led off the parade from the honor of the Brussels Legion's 50th an-
Brussels Legion to the B.M.G. Community niversary. (Photo by Ranney)
DRAPING OF THE DRUMS — Carl draber, the Brussels Morris and Grey Community Centre
Sargent at Arms for the Brussels Legion draped on Sunday.
the drums at the drumhead service held in the (Photo by Ranney)
THE REVIEWING
STAND — Glen
Bridge, Deputy Zone
Commander for Zone
C-1, Lloyd Anderson
of Elmira, Deputy
District Commander of
District C Don
Blenkhorn, president
of Brussels Legion
Branch 218 reviewed
the parade on Sunday
as it passed from the
Brussels Legion to the
arena where a drum-
head service Was then
held in honour of
Brussels Legion's 50th
anniversary.
(Photo by Ranney)