HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1980-04-23, Page 48Page 16 T-A Legion Special, April 23, 1980
From the Dominion president
I am pleased, on behalf of your fellow Legion members, to send greetings on the occa-
sion of the 50th anniversary of Branch No. 167. This is indeed an historic milestone for the
R.E. Pooley (Exeter) I3ranch, whose history of community service is outstanding.
Anniversaries are a time to look back and a time to look forward. In the Legion we do
both. Having reached your golden anniversary, you can look back with pride on 50 years of
dedicated service,
You should also look forward to a bright future, where your branch, supported by sons
and daughters. will continue to hold a prominent' place in the community.
I know that the R.E. Pooley Branch, on the eve of its golden anniversary, will continue
to be a credit to our great organization.
I congratulate you all and wish you much success in the future.
Sincerely
Ed Coley
Dominion President
From the Branch president
The First World War veterans who founded our branch in 1930, quickly applied the
Royal Canadian Legion's dedication to 'service' in Exeter and the area surrounding.
Briefly, it was interest for the families of those who had died in the 1914-18 war, and for
the families of deceased veterans. It was also an interest in relation to living veterans,
and for the welfare of neighbours near and far.
Some of those originals, and we who followed the Second World War and the Korean
conflict, have since tried to maintain that many-sided example of concern and service for
the people around us.
In a lot of ways, the activity is hidden from ordinary view. Individual members are
always busy at charitable and community tasks outside those of the branch. Others arc
occupied in various capaciOes while assisting in sports or recreational projects, locally
and elsewhere. Names and contributions would be difficult to list.
Branch functions, along similar lines, are numerous as well. Yearly, too, the Exeter
Legion finds itself either encouraging or supporting new endeavours. In a general sense, it
seems we are always involved in something. That is as it should be.
Our facilities are used and made available for old and young. Senior citizens have the
unit for monthly meetings, and the branch convenes an annual banquet for them. Public
speaking is sponsored in elementary school. Funds are given to midget hockey, and the
Ladies Auxiliary sponsors a Pee Wee hockey team. In connection with comrades in
Lucan, we co-sponsor the Huron-Middlesex Cadet Corps. Moreover, financial donations
are made each year to a number of agencies dealing with the public good. Among them
are the Canadian Institute for the Blind; the March of Dimes; the Canadian Cancer Socie-
ty, the Salvation Army; and the Ted Foster Xmas Tree F und.
Time, though. along with a welcome absence of global war, is diminishing our war-
veteran membership. So our hopes for the continuance of the Legion's contribution to
better society begin to lie with the sons and daughters of our members. People now
accepted for membership and who may one day be eligible for office. Younger people
who. we trust, will want to serve for the benefit of others; and with the same zeal .and
sense of service as did the founders, 50 years ago, of the Royal Canadian Legion in Exeter.
R.E. Pooley Branch 167
Exeter, Ontario
President Lee Webber
From the Provin dal president
I am pleased to have this opportunity on behalf of the Officers and Members of the On-
tario Provincial Command, The Royal Canadian Legion, to congratulate and commend
the members of the R.E. Pooley Branch No. 167, Exeter, on the attainment of 50 years of
dedicated service to the Legion, Canada and your community.
The Branch has compiled an excellent record of service and one of which you may well
be proud. However, a Golden Anniversary should not occasion members to bask in glories
of the past but should serve as a challenge to each member to build upon the solid founda-
tion which has been laid to inspire greater accomplishments in the future.
In so doing, we should not overlook the excellent support which has been afforded to the
Legion by the general public in communities such as Exeter, and we take this opportunity
to extend sincere appreciation to them and trust continued co-operation shall exist
between -the-Branch and the citizens of Exeter.
R.A, Collins,
Provincial President