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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1982-11-10, Page 3GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1982 -PAGE 3 Legion Branch 109 to celebrate its 55th anniversary By Neil Shaw ._ Goderich Legion Branch 109 will celebrate its 55th an- niversary on Saturday, November 13, with a special dinner -dance in the Legion Hall. Since its official forma- tion on November 13, 1927, Legion Branch 109 has been a viable force in Goderich and the community. Legion Branch 109 directly supports the interests and welfare of the war veterans and their dependents. The annual poppy campaign, church parade and Remem- brance Day parade always receive top priority. Other Branch events directly related to the veteran's in- ) terests are the annual Virny Memorial Dinner in 'April, Decoration Day at the Veterans Plot of the Maitland Cemetery each Septeinber, the fishing trip' here of the vets of Westminster hospital in June and the Christmas par- ty for these same veterans in December at Branch 109 hosted by the auxiliary. Each week of each year the sick and welfare chair- man visits and distributes cards and, gifts to those members of the Branch (and to all other 'veterans) who are either in hospital or in-' valided at home. At Christmas each year this chairman sees that no war widow is forgotten with a card and gift as well as those disabled, or vet's families who arexperiencing dif- ficult times. Veterans who require pension information cr long term assistance are referred to the Branch ser- vice bureau officer. The Branch also conducts a brief Legion funeral service for deceased veterans if such is requested by the family. In July, 1964, the Branch, through the leadership ' of Comrade Bill Clancy, ac- quired a Lancaster bomber which was displayed south of the entrance to Sky Harbour Airport as a . memorial to those who served in the Com- monwealth Air Training Plan which supplied air crew for the RCAF. In June of 1977, the Lancaster was transferred to the Warplane Heritage Foundation through a $10,000 donation to Brunch 109. The interest from this special account is used each year to assist students at university , with funds from the AV M J.A. Sully and Legion Branch 109 ( Lancaster) scholarship. The Branch. also • has a Branch bursary fund (financed partly by the Pop- py fund and partly by . the Iadies' Auxiliary of the Branch) to aid needy students of the area who wish to continue their educa- tion beyond duca-tion:beyond the secondary level. In June of 1974 Comrade Clancy also obtained a Sher- • man tank for the Branch. This tank now rests on the north side of the Huron Coun- ty Museum where the .tank was dedicated by Branch 109 to the heroic efforts of Lieut. Col. (then Major) David V Currie V.C. who won his Victoria Cross during World War II. 'The latest project is to con- • tinue to donate to the $3.5 million building fund of Parkwood hospital in. Lon- don, Ontario which will have a special wing for the treat- ment and care of the veterans of the Western On- tario area. This will replace the present outdated Westminster hospital. Legion Branch 109 over the past years has become much more community -minded. The Branch sponsors or sup- ports minor sports (baseball, hockey and soc- cer), the Air Cadets, the pro- jects of the Alexandra Marine and General hospital, Youth Education with the annual public speaking and poems and essay contests management of the 109 Homes (founded fly Branch 109 as the first senior citizens housing in town), the Port of Goderich dinner' dance for the mariners, the children's Christmas party, the annual St. Patrick's visit to Bay City, Michigan, and the Canada Day parade and weekend of activities as ' chief host of the American friends from Bay City. During any year Branch 109 receives numerous requests from such organizations as the Salvation Army, the CNIB and The March of Dimes. A tabulation for the year ending October 1, 1982 showed that a total of $19,900 was donatedin varying amounts to these worthy causes. With the common bond of wartime service, the approx- imately 400 ordinary members are experiencing a growing comradeship with the 300 associate (sons and daughters of vets) and 200 fraternal members who make up the total member- ship of Branch 109. Improv- ed communications with the Ladies' Auxiliary has also promoted more joint pro- jects aid its related fellowship Darts, euchre and crib- bage tournaments along with duffer golf and curling in season, are popular past - times at Branch 109. Weekly .pub nights and dances are well attended as are special events such as the 40s dances, other dances' and oc- casional special enter- tainments. A recent Ceilidh, a night with a Scottish, flavour, was well received. Since its inception in 1927, Legion Branch 109 has ex- perienced the winds of change many times. Familiar faces have disap- peared only to be replaced with new faces. All, young or old, are' members of the great Legion family. Today these 'members of $ranch 109 occupy, •at 56 Kingston Street, one of the most modern and spacious Legion facilities in Canada. The latest addition to the 'original building ( the I.O.O.F. Hall built in 1898)' was completed in November 1975 and officially opened during the presidency of Comrade Edward Tonks on a chilly snowy January 26, 1976. The $215,000 bank loan was burned this year at a loan burning ceremony on September 25, 1982. Branch 109 of the Royal RECEIVERSHIP SALE Simplicity 5 h.p. SNOWBLOWERS ' $ 6 75 .00 Murray's $ 300.00 8 h.p. LAWN TRACTORS M ARGYLE AND MALL ENGINES 88 Britannia Rd. E. Goderich 524-9201 UP TO ' 4?5%* ANNUAL INTEREST -FULLY GUARANTEED NO FEES We obtain the highest in- terest -rales -available -with .-v'ariou's financial in. stitutlons. � l.ehangu. James From INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES 482.7612 Canadian Legion originated as the Goderich Branch off the Great War Veterans Association, which was formed in 1920 with the late Col. Fred Sturdy as its first president. This branch was formed of First War veterans or returned men as they were known in those days. A copy of an address by Col. Sturdy to an awards night on March 26, 1959 at Legion Branch 109 honoring the late Joe Juck indicates that the local G.W.V.A. branch prospered and in its first year a car raffle and a regatta on the Maitland River was held. The wives of these G.W.V.A. men, as an auxiliary, raised sufficient funds to equip a room at the local hospital. This handful of World War I veterans rented and furnished with a $400 donation from the town, club rooms above the present Breckenbridge's hardware store. Dissention crept into and split the G.W.V.A. branches when this organization, at the national level, voted to press the Federal govern- ment to give each man who served $2,000. This split in the ranks promoted the rather quick demise of the Great War Veterans Association. In 1925 General Sir Douglas Haig was in- strumental in forming a then new organization of veterans known as the • Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. Godet'ich Legion Branch 109 was officially recognized on November 13, 1927 as a branch of • the Canadian Legion of the B.E.S.L. Col. Sturdy was elected as the first President of Branch 109 and meetings were held in rooms rented at the British Exchange Hotel I located on the site of the present Woolworths Store on The Square). Economy in the 1930s dic- tated a move to the Colborne Apartments , ( corner of Hamilton and Newgate Streets) which was then be- ing used as an' Armoury for the militia. Here the now Legion comrades enjoyed weekly card parties and the occasional smoker with their wives (the future Branch Ladies' Auxiliary founded in 1947) serving the lunch. When the militia with Col. Sturdy as commanding of- ficer moved to the Newgate St. building of the Herco plant, the Legion branch moved as well. From here the Branch conducted the annual poppy drive, and sup- plied food and fuel to veteran's families and war widows of our area during the dirty thirties when little government aid was available. During World War II when a second generation of .men again answered the call to the colours Legion Branch 109, although small in, number found willing hands ready to keep the local boys overseas supplied with parcels of goodies and car- tons of cigarettes. This five year project was funded partly from poppy funds and from semi regular Legion bingos. With a large influx of World War II veterans as new members expected home in 1945, the Legion needed larger facilities. In 1946 the town of Goderich donated the then vacant I.O.O.F. Hall to Branch 109 whose President that year was the late Ken Hunter, a well known Goderich lawyer. This building at the corner of Kingston and Stanley Street was to become the present home of Legion Branch 109. Since 1946 this- building has ex- perienced several renova- tions both inside and out, as the membership of Branch 109 has increased. Today with the new addition this building is the proud head- quarters of Branch 109 of the Royal Canadian Legion. To quote Colonel Padre the Reverend John W. Foote, V.C., "The Royal Canadian Legion plays a special role in Canada both as a support organization for the ex - servicemen and their dependents and as a living' example of the courage and hope needed in these difficult times." • REMEMBER This Thursday, November 11, marks one of the most important dates in Canadian history. Remembrance Day will be solemnly observed in many parts of the world and in Canada, ceremonies will unfold at cenotaphs across the country at 11 a.m. It is an auspicious day for Canadians, a day to reflect on the heroic efforts of the men and women who contributed to war effort. This past week, members of the Goderich Legion, Branch 109, have been active with the 1982 poppy campaign, soliciting support for legion social programs. Support that effort and wear a poppy with pride. ' On Sunday November 7, members of the Legion marched to St. Georges • Anglican Church . for the annual Remembrance Day church service. This. Thursday, official Remembrance Day ser- vices will be conducted in Court House Park 'begin- nings at 11 a.in. Everyone is invited to attend the memorial service in honor of those who fought and gave their lives in two world wars. 'Members of the Legion will ,march to the cenotaph prior to the dedication ceremonies and wreath layings. Members of the Goderich Legion Branch 109 marched to St. Georges. Anglican Church Sunday morning to participate in the annual Remembrance Day commemorative service. Remembrance Day services will be held Thursday at the cenotaph. ( photo by Dave Sykes) Harbor report BY RON GRAHAM The Algorail arrived light for salt from Huron on November 2 and cleared harbor the sante day for Prescott. The Algoway arrived light W.J. Denomme FLOWER SHOP Phone 524.8132 DAY OR NIGHT Agent for 24 hr. FILM DEVELOPING COMPARISON SHOPPING SAVE I U MONEY AT... ALU FREE DELIVERY ON WEDNESDAY WITH ORDERS $25.00 AND OVER SUPER SAVE SUPERMARKET 524.9411 101 SHOPPERS SQUARE GODER1rI We reserve tha right to IImI• quantities. Prices In effort till closing Sat. November 13. '43 or . while quantities lost. FREE DELIVERY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS MONDAY THRU THURSDAY Fresh Area Produce Ontario No. 1 CABBAGE . 3 Lead Pan PME RIB, ROAST 2.19 ib. PORK BUTT CHOPS 1.29.' Weston's Old Mill BREAD 450GR. U.S. NO. 1 CELERY' trs. TANGERINES GRADE A RIB STEAKS Schneider's I •if'�E�irl 11't5 125 de. apple -Lest SLICED -MEATS rrs GR. h Maple Leaf BURGERS 75n _ . _-- Schneider's Cello STEAKETTES son on. Maple Leaf WIENERS 454 GR. Maple Leaf TENDERFLAKE LARD 1 LB. Gainsborough Frozen PIE SHELLS 3 x 9-15 oz. Kraft PHIL. CREAM CHEESE 2so GR. 2/1.09 .59 1.19 ooz. 2.29 lb. Local APPLES 3 Ib. bag 5 varieties .69 Heinz Condensed 10 oz. TOMATO SOUP Cottonelle BATHROOM TISSUE 4'1 hirtff ELLY POWDERS 3 oz. 'Betty Crocker Super Moist CAKE MIXES no d. JeMOn-o LEN PIE FILLING 340 0 Kleenex FACIAL. TISSUE-20a4'a Sunpac, Frozen ORAi1GE JUICE 12.! gid. oz. PAPIR TOWELS 2'1 3/9. 1.2 319 .99 1.69 .69 .89 LIbby's 140Z. • 1.49 AmFOWN BEANS W /PORK .69 TONATOfyICE 4aOz._ .. _ .. . AA . 87 Ayfrii r VEGETABLES 4 VAR. 19 Oz. m65 -2.69Mr.tuk - - JAMS 4 VAR. 7S0 Ml. 1.69 2.39 Braising Short Rib 1.55 Ib. 1 .69 LIQUID DETERGENT 1118 `2.49 quaker .89 CORN BRAN CEREAL iso GR. 1.29 McNair 1 .49GLACED CHERRIES 2 VAR. Oso GR. 3.19 hipits 350 GR. 1 .29 BUTTERSCOTCH oR CHOC. CHIPS 1 .79 for salt from Ashterbula November 8 and cleared harbor. the same day for Chicago. The Spruceglen cleared habor light for Thunder Bay November 3. LEARN TO DRIVE CALL 524-9350 Smith's Driving School THANK You' To the electorate for your sup- port at the polls on Monday. I shall endeavour to serve you to the best of my ability. Eileen Palmer A MOST SINCERE THANKYOU For Your Support At The Polls YOUR CONFIDENCE IS APPRECIATED BILL CLIFFORD IECK6TYLE PIECXTYLE NECK STYLE_.QIECKTYLE PIECK&TYLE.. The Holiday Season Is Here.'... Start YOUR Holiday Season off ,right with a . FACIAL at the Cosmetic Department at Rieck Pharmacy on THURSDAY, NOV. 18 Beth NoaIce. %gill he returning to demondrale the print iplt'% .ind tec hnique. of makeup application. -MA-Kr-AN APPOINTtvq-N T -NOW,,, t lh..-5-.,7 L--)11 1 f (mini; appointments .t'.111,0)14•, Dharmac 14 SHOPPERS SQUARE GODERICH 524-7241 "WE PUT THE CHEER IN CHRISTMAS" WE DELIVER.