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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1980-04-23, Page 43Wear a poppy for Remembrance ntespowa No7 BANDS JOIN In 1966, Massed Legion Bands representing Exeter, Strathroy, _Clinton, Brussels, Forest and Goderich visited Sherrill, New York. The massed band is shown in Bayfield prior to that trip in 1966. BEST WISHES To the legion members on the occasion of their 50th anniversary. We wish you success on your anniversary celebrations and in the years ahead. WALT TIDEMAN - BUD PRESCATOR - WAYNE PARKINSON WHITING'S Unlimited (New and Used) MAIN ST. 235-1964 EXETER GOOD LUCK We're proud of your record of half a century of service in our community. Best wishes for a successful anniversary embership stands at about 500 ontinued from page 10 eached the All Ontario- inals when they lost out to untsville and South Shore espectively. In 1970-71 the earn of that year played 17 eague games winning 14 and rawing 3 and went on to win he Shamrock League play- fs. Their biggest year was 1974-75 when they defeated Picton to win the All Ontario ihals championship. 1977-78 nd 1978-79 were also good years When one year the team won the Shamrock gold medal, the Ilderton silver medal, and the Strathroy Olympics silver medal, and the following year won the Clinton Bantam Tournament Gold Medal and again reached the OMHA where they were finally defeated by Ernestown. These teams like many other bantam teams were sponsored by the Branch and were proud to carry the Legion Crest on their uniforms. Within the branch itself, members take part in practically every sport played. The more popular today would be curling, bowling,-golf and darts, but in days gone by, snooker and horse shoes were also very popular. The dart league was formed in 1965-66 with 8 teams participating, today there are 16 teams and ap- proximately 80 players. Yearly tournaments are held and are generally well af- tended, 1979 being a most successful year when there were 52 teams competing. The membership strength today stands at 267 Life and , Regular members, 107 Associate and 127 Paternal Affiliate members. Many of these have given much of their and efforts in carrying on the good work com- menced by their predecessors, and have been responsible in upholding the good name of the Branch. ' The highest award that the Royal Canadian Legion can bestow upon an Ordinary or or ' Life Member, is the Meritorious Service Medal. To qualify for this award it must be shown that the recipient has rendered long and outstanding service to ,,the Branch and community; service which is considered to be above and beyond that which might be expected of any devoted member. The fact that a member has held many, or all, nor- mal Legion offices and faithfully fulfilled all his obligation, does not in itself sufficiently warrant a recommendation for this award. It must be shown that the recipent to be, has in fact given long years of unusual personal sacrifice in time and no doubt in money, in enhancing the prestige of the Branch within the com- munity. The criterion is very high and an award is based on some of the following. Service as Welfare Officer, service to the elderly and the shut-ins, to the disabled veteran in hospital, in need, and to their dependents. Participation is community work, youth • programs, Poppy drives and religious observances, and any other work done in the name of the Legion. The Meritorious Service Medal is the most highly prized Legion award, and is only awarded to those who most deserve it. The medal while identical in design to that of Past Presidents and Officers, is in heavy gold plate rather than in bronze, and the top bar bears in gold letters the words FOR MERIT. The base color of the ribbon is Royal Blue, and in its centre are three gold longitudinal stripes, the centre one being one eighth' and the other being one sixteenth of an inch in width. Two members of the Branch have been awarded this coveted award, they wear it with pride, and the branch has every right to be proud of them. Shortly after commencing this brief history of the Branch it became quite obvious that the time and space permitted would only allow a "bare bone" coverage, and that many important events and ac- tivities would only be mentioned in a very general way. -. It is hoped that the little which has been written will refresh the memory of many older members, of the good times and the bad, and of those who contributed so much in the name of the Legion. It is also hoped that it will arouse sufficient interest among ydunger members that they will enquire fur: ther, and in doingso become more involved in branch and community activities, and make preparations to become future leaders. T-A Le • ion. S ecial, April 23, 1980 Page 11 GIVES SPEECH — Kathy Simmons, daughter of former presi- dent Fred Simmons, presented her prize winning Remem- brance Day speech at the insfallation of officers night in 1971. Looking on is Gord McTavish.