SASK COMMAND TIDBITS Hi-Lites  Donna Gosselin, for- THE ROYAL CANADIAN L EGION V O L U M E 2 0 mer executive director, COMMAND DECEMBER 2014 retired Oct. 31, 2014, after 40 years at Sask. Command!

From the President’s Desk Season’s Greetings to all.  Saskatchewan has 175 Legion branches and I will begin with a big thank you to all members of Council and staff of the Royal Canadian 11, 646 members.

Legion, Saskatchewan Command, for all your continued cooperation and support.

 In 2015, we will have been in our Command As you all know, our executive director, Donna, has retired after 40 years of service to Sas- office in Regina for 31 katchewan Command—she will be missed. She has turned the helm over to Cherilyn Cooke years. who has been training in this position for the past year. We foresee no problems with this change.

So as of Nov. 1, 2014, our Command staff is Cherilyn Cooke as executive director, Kim INSIDE THIS Douglas as accountant, Paul Sutton as Command service officer, and Stephanie Anhorn as ISSUE administrative assistant. Executives and 2 Once again, I must mention declining membership. Comrades, if we do not recruit and re- Committees tain new members in substantial numbers, our great organization is in jeopardy! So let us Literary and 3 all make an effort to sign up at least one new member in the coming year—I signed up four Poster Winners in 2014 and if I can do it, anyone can. Cadet Medal of 4 Our 2014 poppy campaign kicked off at Government House in Regina where the Honoura- Excellence ble Vaughn Solomon Schofield, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, received the first official poppy and I had the honour of pinning it on her. Prior to the pinning ceremony, Youth Track 4 Donna was presented with a medallion by the Lieutenant Governor for her long and dedi- and Field cated service to the Royal Canadian Legion and Saskatchewan—very touching to be sure. Scholarships 5 and Bursaries It appears that we have once again run a very successful literary and poster campaign sup- ported by most branches, and the quality of the entries continues to improve. Bravo Zulu Youth Pilgrim- 6 to all concerned. age In Your Down 7 I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Brandt Industries for its extremely gen- Time erous donation to the Saskatchewan Command Poppy Fund. Brandt presented its donation at a Regina Pats hockey game on November 7, 2014. Sports 8 Comrades Judy and I wish each and every one of you a happy festive season and a prosper- From the Liv- 12 ingroom of ous 2015! Donna Gosselin Drive safely as you visit family and friends. Branch News 14 To all, fair winds and a following sea. This & That 16

Service Officer 18 M.C. (Dick) Wells Provincial President

P A G E 2 Your New Command Officers 2013-15 As established at the 47th Biennial Provincial Convention held October 19-21, 2013, in North :

Provincial President: M.C. (Dick) Wells Immediate Past Provincial President: Brent Wignes Provincial 1st Vice President: Ken Box Provincial Vice Presidents: Evert Whelen Lorne Varga Provincial Chairman: Ray Marjoram Provincial TVS Representative: Patricia Paul District Commanders: D1 - Sharren Dukart D3 - Al. Hemingway D2 - Keith Andrews D4 - Al Hodgson List of Committee Chairpersons 2013-15 Building Public Relations & Outreach Dick Wells Lorne Varga

Constitution and Laws Sports Ray Marjoram Lorne Varga Al Hodgson (Vice Chairperson)

V.A.C. Liaison Unity/Defence Keith Andrews Dick Wells

Honours & Awards Veterans Service and Seniors Brent Wignes Keith Andrews Al Hodgson (Vice Chairperson)

Membership Way and Means & Fundraising Ken Box Dick Wells Sharren Dukart (Vice Chairperson) Ken Box (Vice Chairperson)

Personnel Youth Dick Wells (Includes Cadets, Youth Pilgrimage, Track and Field) Brent Wignes (Vice Chairperson) Ken Box Al Hemingway (Vice Chairperson)

Leadership Training & Development Poppy and Remembrance Dick Wells (Includes Emergency Relief Welfare, Bursaries and Scholarships, Literary and Poster Contests) Evert Whelen Al Hemingway (Vice Chairperson)

Resolutions Sub Executive Advisory Committee Ray Marjoram (Includes Command Building, Branch and Member Evert Whelen (Vice Chairperson) Liaisons) John Pott

HI- LITES P A G E 3 Provincial Literary and Poster Winners 2013-2014

Junior Essay 1st 60 Rebecca Duncan 2nd HODGEVILLE 325 Logan Schwartz 3rd PIERCELAND 178 Emily MacGillivray Junior Poem 1st CRAIK 10 Joshua Rohde 2nd LUMSDEN 234 Adin Clark 3rd MELFORT 30 Ashton Bourgeois Junior Poster 1st 195 Jenna Buryniuk (colour) 2nd OUTLOOK 262 Nyah Saara Hopkins 3rd 39 Loise Simbulan Junior Poster 1st FORT QU’APPELLE35 Savannah Dawn Rokosh (black & white) 2nd CANWOOD 132 Dylan Ashe 3rd CARROT RIVER 186 Tessa Yurkowski Intermediate Essay 1st WILKIE 139 Rachel Cey 2nd 218 Asia Showmaker 3rd ESTEVAN 60 Elizabeth Wasmann Intermediate Poem 1st ASSINIBOIA 17 Jordan Jacobs 2nd KIPLING 6 Kyla Miskiman 3rd 120 Shanelle Reed Intermediate Poster 1st WYNYARD 101 Kalla Shewchuk (colour) 2nd UNITY 90 Tyra Simmons 3rd 213 Josee Aitken Intermediate Poster 1st UNITY 90 Marina Gampe (black & white) 2nd WOLSELEY 36 Natasha Iluk 3rd 59 Alexis Valgardsson Senior Essay 1st HAZLET 202 Bessie McNary 2nd BROADVIEW 148 Adam Wyatt 3rd WYNYARD 101 Michelle Burko Senior Poem 1st QUILL LAKE 37 Kailey Kralkay 2nd PENZANCE-HOLDFAST 226 Kelan Flavel 3rd ESTEVAN 60 Dakota Emde Senior Poster 1st PRINCE ALBERT 2 Chie Ikoma (colour) 2nd ELROSE 206 Brooke Sands 3rd WILKIE 139 Rayel Green Senior Poster 1st NEVILLE 328 Lynn Giesbrecht (black & white) 2nd NUTANA 362 Kaitlyn Dilsner 3rd KIPLING 6 Leslie Thomas Primary Poster 1st ESTEVAN 60 Randi Milbrandt (colour) 2nd MELFORT 30 Clover Childs 3rd GULL LAKE 119 Abby Orton Primary Poster 1st CARNDUFF 216 Hailey Taylor National Primary (black & white) 2nd HAZLET 202 Andra Todd Poster (Colour) - 1st Place 3rd NUTANA 362 Katherine Sidloski

National Intermediate Randi Milbrandt National Honourable Mentions National Intermediate Poster (B & W) —2nd Place Pleasantdale School Bessie McNary Essay— 1st Place Marina Gampe Estevan Br. 60 Senior Essay Rachel Cey Unity Composite High School Hazlet School McLurg High School Hazlet Branch No. 202 Unity Br. No. 90 Wilkie Branch No. 139 National Junior Kailey Marie Kralkay National Intermediate Poem—2nd Place Senior Poetry HI- LITES Poem— 2nd Place Joshua Rohde Quill Lake School Jordan Jacobs Clive Draycott School Quill Lake Branch No. 037 School Craik Br. No. 10 Assiniboia Br. No. 17 THE ROYAL CANADIAN L EGION P A G E 4 SASKATCHEWAN COMMAND Cadet Medal of Excellence Recipients 2014 AIR CADETS Cadet F/CPL Brooklynn Andrusiak Cadet WOII Michaela R. Demong No. 633 RCACS No. 702 Lynx RCACS

Cadet WOII Ashley K. Drew Cadet Sgt Amy M. Hamonic No. 41 Hercules RCACS Regina No. 190 RCACS Nipawin

ARMY CADETS Cadet Sgt Parker McKelkie Cadet F/Sgt Regan C. Sittler Cadet WO Radley Kolb No. 30 Wylie-Mitchell RCACS Estevan No. 300 Fisher RCACS Biggar No. 2901 PPCLI RCACC Estevan Cadet F/Sgt Paige N. Sebastian Cadet Sgt Chase D. Thiele No. 568 Wynyard RCACS Wynyard No. 752 RCACS Ed. Campbell Melville Cadet WO Emma C. McNulty No. 2815 RCACC Naicam Cadet Sgt Marielle Dyer Cadet Sgt Jennifer Tonn No. 38 Anavets RCACS Prince Albert No. 889 Osprey RCACS Laronge Cadet WO Robert Munday No. 2293 RCACC NSaskR, Cadet Sgt Mackenzie Weber-Low Cadet Sgt Matthew A. MacDonald Saskatoon No. 107 Spitfire RCACS Saskatoon No. 605 Tarry RCACS

Cadet Sgt Emily Zelensky Cadet F/Sgt. Derry G. Reid No. 889 Osprey RCACS Laronge No. 675 Bow Valley RCACS Oxbow

SEA CADETS Cadet PO1 Violet Ignace No. 118 RCSCC Rawalpindi Prince Albert Cadet M.S. Darrel Riley No. 99 Assiniboine RCSCC Moose Jaw Cadet PO1 Victoria Dennis No. 259 RCSCC Drylander Swift Current

Track and Field Did You Know? During the 1984

Olympics, one third of The provincial track and field camp was held in Saskatoon again from June 29— the track and field

July 3 and was open to youth born from 1997 to 2001 inclusive. Many branches athletes representing

sponsored local students to attend the provincial camp, for which the youth were , and all the very grateful. Canadian medal winners, Twenty-five young Saskatchewan athletes were then chosen to attend the National were past Legion camp competition in Langley, B.C. In total, Saskatchewan brought home six medals! participants. Saskatchewan Medalists Under 16 Pole Vault Jonah Murray Under 16 Relay Kendra Farmer, Emily Coghill, Janzen Ziola and Holly Murray Under 16 Triple Jump Joely Welbur Under 16 Pentathlon Emily Coghill Under 18 Relay Hannah Tosh, Erica Ladham, Samara Lishchynsky and Sara Murray Under 18 Heptathlon Sara Murray THE ROYAL CANADIAN L EGION P A G E 5 SASKATCHEWAN COMMAND Scholarships and Bursaries 2014

Each year, the Legion awards ten scholarships and ten bursaries, each in the amount of $300, to qualified Saskatchewan students based on academic achievement and financial need respectively. Thank you to all 77 scholarship and 50 bursary applicants who applied. winners are: Scholarships Bursaries Jenna BRATVOLD Prince Albert Anika ALBERS Loon Lake Keara CARTER Saskatoon Brooke CLARY Leader Sarah KEENE Saskatoon Katherine COLE Vanscoy Brynne MARTIN Maple Creek Vanessa COTE Nicole MATSALLA Saskatoon Ivy DECORBY Logan MORHART Prince Albert Jessica KLASSEN Assiniboia Selina MUISE Saskatoon Jade PALEY Tuffnell Irene STAMATINOS Cody SANDS Shaelyn STANDISH Kelvington Tylynne TONDEVOLD Willow Bunch Chloe WOO Saskatoon Samantha WHITTINGHAM Qu’Appelle

Did You Know?

Dominion Command re-launched its website in October 2013, making it an easier-to-use site. It is full of great infor- mation, including FREE downloadable ver- sions of the manuals you use all the time, including the Poppy Manual and General By-Laws. You can even browse and order catalogue items online from its Web store!

www.legion.ca P A G E 6 Pilgrimage of Remembrance July 11—25, 2015

Our National office has begun planning for the 2015 Youth Leaders’ Piligrimage of Re- membrance which will visit sites in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands from July 11— 25, 2015. It is now time for our Command to select one provincial representative to attend this pil- grimage. Branches must submit their letter of recommendations, application forms and resumes of possible candidates before Monday, January 5, 2015. The criteria for selection are as follows: - must be of the age of majority and possess a valid passport; - must be a member of The Royal Canadian Legion and possess proper Legion dress while on the pilgrimage; - must be active as a leader of youth groups/youth programs, youth education; and - must attach a separate document to his or her resume outlining how he or she is ex- pected to pass on his or her experiences gained to youth groups, Legion branches, the media and other organizations upon his or her return. The individual chosen must be an effective communicator with proven experience in public speaking and technical ability. The individual must also be able to develop a video or slide presentation and be willing to make the presentation at the Provincial Convention 2015.

The cost for the Saskatchewan representative will be borne by Dominion Command. This includes domestic travel as required, and outside of Canada medical insurance. It does not include a gratuity for the tour guide, bus driver or any items of a personal nature. Please note that accommodation is based on double occupancy.

The tour is restricted to a maximum of 35 persons and those other than the representa- tive wishing to go on the pilgrimage go at their own expense on a first-come, first-served basis and are asked to contact DOMINION COMMAND directly.

Please take time to consider this program and submit your choices along with your letter of recommendation to the Command Office in Regina. The Provincial Youth Committee will then make one selection from all the entries received.

For more information, do not hesitate to contact Sask. Command office.

Did You Know?

2014-2020 will be an important period in Canadian history for anniversaries:

 2014 was the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War  2015 will mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the 90th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion  2016 will mark the 15th anniversary of the beginning of the war in Afghanistan  Canada will be 150 years old in 2017  It will have been 80 years since the beginning of Second World War in 2019  2020 will mark the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean war

HI- LITES P A G E 7 Bird’s Eye View by Elinor Florence Bird’s Eye View is the unforgettable story of an idealistic young Canadian woman who joins the air force during the Second World War and becomes an aerial photographic interpreter.

Working with hundreds of other intelligence officers at a converted mansion in England called RAF Medmenham, Rose Jolliffe spies on the enemy from the sky, watching the war unfold through her sterescope.

With her almost supernatural skills of detection, she solves several critical mysteries. Meanwhile, Rose is lonely and heartsick, far away from her prairie home. Her only connection to her past are the letters from family and friends back on the home front. Historians and military buffs will enjoy this action-packed yarn that takes place during the world’s most dramatic conflict.

The author, Elinor Florence, hails from and now resides in Inver- mere BC. She writes a weekly blog called Wartime Wednesdays, telling true stories of Canadians during wartime. For more information, go to elinorflorence.com. The Willow Tree by Anna Marie Willey This 25-minute musical video montage has been written and produced by the family of Melville WWII RCAF Veteran, John Winichuk. He was in the RCAF from 1941 to 1946 and began his service overseas in 1943 with ground crew of RCAF’s 427 Squadron in Leeming, England. He passed away in 1987. Presented by his daughter, Anna Marie Willey, this heartfelt musical tribute features seven original songs and tells the story of one of the thousands who were called into service, spanning from the time of receiving an enlistment letter and early days of John Winichuk, a member of training, to service overseas and sentiments of family who re- the RCAF from 1941 to 1946, mained at home. and from Melville SK, has pro- Research to develop this story continues with a goal that it will vided the inspiration for a mu- some day be a musical theatre production. It is based on the sical honouring the sacrifices memorabilia from Mr. Winichuk’s kitbags from the war, which of those who fought in WWII. had remained unpacked for almost 70 years. The musical video tribute is dedicated to all Veterans who have ever served at war for our freedom. It was previewed on September 10 in Brandon, at an event that was part of the unveiling of the RCAF WWII Memorial at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, and on October 30 at the Saskatchewan premiere hosted by Her Honour, the Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan at Govern- ment House in Regina. The “Willow Tree” was also showcased at Melville’s Legion Hall on Re- membrance Day and at an event for the Regina Women’s Network.

If your Legion is interested in having the presentation at your branch, please contact Anna Marie Willey at [email protected] or call 306-924-0394.

HI- LITES P A G E 8 Provincial Golf Tournament Br. No. 47, August 10, 2014

CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT 75 AND OVER FLIGHT Winner: FILLMORE No. 299 Winner: CARLYLE No. 248 Nathan Hofmeister Gerry Kuzick Runner Up: STOUGHTON No. 133 Runner Up: ROBERT G. COMBE No. 61 Dan Coderre Al Miller

FIRST FLIGHT 60 AND OVER—9-HOLE Winner: ELROSE No. 206 Winner: NEVILLE No. 328 Barry Rowley Keith Carleton Runner Up: Glen Zimmerman Runner Up: FILLMORE No. 299 David Grieve SECOND FLIGHT Winner: ESTEVAN No. 60 LADIES Doug Yee CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT Runner Up: CARROT RIVER No. 186 Winner: STOUGHTON No. 133 Patrick Clancey Danielle Hoffman Runner Up: STOUGHTON No. 133 THIRD FLIGHT Suzanne Jacobson Winner: STOUGHTON No. 133 Raymond Coderre FIRST FLIGHT Runner Up: FILLMORE No. 299 Winner: STOUGHTON No. 133 Brian Grieve Karen Coderre Runner Up: HUMBOLDT No. 28 55 AND OVER FLIGHT Sharon Cameron Winner: MOOSE JAW No. 59 Don Peterson 50 AND OVER Runner Up: MOOSE JAW No. 59 Winner: ESTEVAN No. 60 Wayne Pringle Bernadette Wright Runner Up: NIPAWIN No. 120 60 AND OVER FLIGHT Jodi Bruce Winner: CARLYLE No. 248 George Anderson 65 AND OVER Runner Up: ESTERHAZY No. 249 Winner: ROSETOWN No. 66 Glen St. Marie Gloria Morrison Runner Up: n/a 65 AND OVER FLIGHT Winner: MOOSE JAW No. 59 60 AND OVER—9-HOLE Bob Turnbull Winner: ALAMEDA No. 267 Runner Up: ALAMEDA No. 267 Bonnie Widenmaier Marvin Richardson 70 AND OVER Winner: ESTEVAN No. 60 70 AND OVER FLIGHT Madeline Skjerpen Winner: MOOSE JAW No. 59 Runner Up: HUMBOLDT No. 28 John Gailey Genevieve Irwin Runner Up: CARLYLE No. 248 John Pott 75 AND OVER n/a

HI- LITES THE ROYAL CANADIAN L EGION P A G E 9 SASKATCHEWAN COMMAND

Provincial Darts Rosetown Br. No. 66, March 7-9, 2014

OPEN EVENTS CLOSED EVENTS SINGLES SINGLES Winner: COLEVILLE No. 365 Winner: MOOSE JAW NO. 59 Angus Kay Curt Gamble Runner Up: LLOYDMINSTER No. 39 Runner Up: MOOSOMIN No. 81 Iain Mackay Brian Beckett DOUBLES DOUBLES Winners: COLEVILLE No. 365 Winners: MOOSE JAW No. 59 Angus Kay John Brann Kirk Wagner Curt Gamble Runners Up: NUTANA No. 362 Runners Up: MOOSE JAW No. 59 Wayne Goldsworthy Jesse Gamble Finn Petterson Jeff Berner TEAM TEAM Winners: COLEVILLE No. 365 Winners: MOOSE JAW No. 59 Angus Kay, Kirk Wagner, Curt Gamble, John Brann, Derek Hazelton, Jesse Gamble, Jeff Berner Glen Johnston Runners Up: ROSETOWN No. 66 Runners Up: ROSETOWN No. 66 Gerry Gray, Jaret Gray, Aaron Walker, Gloria Gerry Rorick, Neil McLeod Morrison, Don Markham, Austin Morrison Provincial 8-Ball Provincial Bowling Prince Albert Br. No. 2, Moosomin Br. No. 81, April 11-13, 2014 February 22, 2014 Regular Golden Age Team Event Winners: Winners: Winners: Runners Up: SASKATOON NO. 63 MAIDSTONE No. 142 ESTEVAN No. 60 MEADOW LAKE NO. 76 Sue Kuhl Barry Melchert Doug Jensen Kevin Valliere Martin Vignes Pat Foley Chris Wright Don Mazuren Gisele Layton Denis Noble Kerry Lalonde Rick Smalinski Joe Gariepy Ron Foley Steven Lalonde Dwayne Desjarlais Runners Up: Runners Up: HUMBOLDT No. 28 GLENTWORTH NO. 342 Bruce Irwin Allan Nelson Al Mosion Roy Burns Sharon Cameron Anne Burns Ken Ruthven Adrien Brisebois P A G E 10 Provincial Curling Bonspiel Nipawin Br. No. 120, February 7-9, 2014 Regular/Senior Mixed Masters Winners: Winners: Winners: NUTANA No. 362 No. 122 NIPAWIN No. 120 Audrey Hay (Skip) Barry Zelinski (Skip) Jack Rieger (Skip) Darren Clancy (Second) Ron Lyons (Second) Sharon Botterill (Third) Rick Middleton (Third) Diane Ganes (Third) Verda Hoppe (Second) Trevor Yousie (Lead) Carol Pryznyk (Lead) Briggy Pagan (Lead)

Runners Up: Runners Up: Runners Up: MEADOW LAKE No. 76 n/a MOOSE JAW No. 59 Dan Mazuren (Skip) Bob Turnbull (Skip) Derrick Demmans (Second) Dan MacAulay (Third) Kevin Valliere (Third) John Gailey (Second) Dianne Sergeew (Lead) John Hales (Lead) Provincial Cribbage Tournament Swift Current Br. No. 56, March 14-16, 2014 OPEN EVENTS CLOSED EVENTS SINGLES SINGLES Winner: LEASK No. 79 Winner: ELROSE No. 206 Patty Ciona Larry Ritchie

Runner Up: PADDOCKWOOD #31 Runner Up: BIG RIVER No. 136 Reg Hamlyn Paul Vandal

DOUBLES DOUBLES Winners: SWIFT CURRENT No. 56 Winners: CARROT RIVER No. 186 Ardis Wall Ken Campbell Dalyce Wall James Sisson

Runners Up: HUDSON BAY No. 130 Runners Up: BIG RIVER No. 136 Sam Culp Paul Vandal Dave Didychuck Darren Anderson

TEAM TEAM Winners: ESTERHAZY No. 249 Winners: ELROSE No. 206 Leroy Anderson Harley Brown John Martin Shirley Brown Reg Knezacek Shiral Brown

Pat Matyas Larry Ritchie

Runners Up: NEVILLE No. 328 Runners Up: BIG RIVER No. 136 Keith Carlton Charlen Vandale Gordon Lawrence Jeremy Morin HI- LITES Henry Sawatzky Paul Vandal Roz Blake Darren Anderson THE ROYAL CANADIAN L EGION P A G E 11 SASKATCHEWAN COMMAND

PROVINCIAL CURLING January 23-25, 2015 A special thank you to Birch Hills No. Tisdale No. 50 2016– Birch Hills No. 122 122, Humboldt No. 28, Nipawin No. PROVINCIAL CRIBBAGE March 13-15, 2015 120, No. 57 and Swift Cur- Lloydminster No. 39 2016– Humboldt No. 28 rent No. 56 who have all agreed to

PROVINCIAL DARTS March 6-8, 2015 host events in 2016. There are still Moosomin No. 81 2016—Nipawin No. 120 hosting spots available for 2016 and

PROVINCIAL BOWLING April 10-12, 2015 beyond. Send your offer to host one Humboldt No. 28 2016– Kindersley No. 57 (or more!) of these sporting events to

PROVINCIAL GOLF the August 9, 2015 Nipawin No. 120 Provincial Command office today! PROVINCIAL 8-BALL POOL February 21, 2015 Estevan No. 60 2016—Swift Current No. 56

Apply for Your Military Service Pin

Our Lieutenant Governor has released a military service pin especially for those who have served, and who have lived in Saskatchewan at one time. It is meant to be worn on civilian clothing. If you qualify for a pin, please contact Saskatche- wan Command with your full name, service number, the branch of your service and your period of service.

P A G E 12

Greetings, Comrades all!

By now, I hope you will have had a chance to congratulate Comrade Cherilyn Cooke on her new position as provincial executive director following my retirement from the organization as of November 1. I know Cherilyn will do a great job and that her door will always be open to address concerns from members and branches in Saskatchewan. She has been with the Com- mand for over three years now and is a very quick study. She is retired from the military serv- ing as a public affairs officer in the Air Force and is a perfect fit moving forward.

The Command office also welcomes Comrade Paul Sutton as our new provincial service officer. Paul is retired after a long service career with the Canadian Forces. By now, he will have had some training from Ottawa and of course, from Cherilyn, who is the outgoing service officer for the Command.

Our administrative assistant, Stephanie Anhorn, is also new to the Command. She will be your first point of contact in the office. When you call in, introduce yourself, and help us in wishing her all the best in her new position. She is doing a fantastic job and has grasped the poppy campaign procedures to a tee!

Periodically, you will also get our Command accountant, Kim Douglas, on the phone. Kim has been with us for over a year now, is doing a fantastic job as well, and pitches in wherever she can. She is also ex- military and served with the Army and was also the finance officer for her regiment (looks like I’m stacking the deck). She will continue to help you with any concerns relating to all financial matters and your accounts with the Command.

I am confident that as I leave, you will be left in good hands! You have a good group of people in the office and day by day, they will grow with experience and come to know that it is a pleasure to work with all of you, and they will realize that The Royal Canadian Legion is the greatest organization in the world to be a part of!

My association with the Legion started way back in 1974. At that time I had no idea what the organization was all about. I was hired to do strictly membership processing, because at that time we had over 300 branches and all the membership was done from our office. From there I moved into the position of office manager, overseeing all the programs that the Legion had to offer throughout the year, and then in 2009 I took over the provincial executive director’s po- sition. To say the least, I have learned a lot!

I was hired by Comrade Linton MacDonald way back then and upon his retirement, worked for Comrade Jack Bridges, then upon his retirement worked for Comrade Brent Burns who joined our staff as the service officer before taking over the provincial secretary’s duties. The immediate provincial past president at that time was Comrade Harold Hague, who still today, is dearly loved and admired by me and by anyone that has ever had to deal with him in any situation or on any occasion. The provincial president at that time, Comrade Stan Szarkowicz, along with every president thereafter, has always made the staff feel welcome and at ease and open to any suggestions for change or improvement that came their way. They made me feel at home, and I was at home, my second home!

If it were not for Comrade Linton who forgave me for telling a little white lie when he hired me (that I wasn’t already three months pregnant with my son), and who arranged to keep me em- ployed through not only one child, Shawn, but a second one, Amber, five years later, I would not be writing to you today.

HI- LITES

THE ROYAL CANADIAN L EGION P A G E 13 SASKATCHEWAN COMMAND

We’ve had staff come and go over the years. To name a few, one of our past provincial service officers, Rick Pockett, was a pleasure to work with as well as our past Command accountant/ provincial service officer, Liz Cadore, with whom I worked for over 20 years, and our immedi- ate past provincial executive director, Comrade Brent Burns, with whom I worked for 20 years. Liz and Brent, the tales we could tell from attendance at meetings, conventions, semi- nars, rallies and council gatherings….! We worked and accomplished what we needed to by day, and still managed to let our hair down somewhat at night! Thanks to both of you for en- hancing what already was the best job in the world.

To all the past provincial presidents that I have had the pleasure to work for: Comrades Har- old Hague and Stan Szarkowicz, Dr. Ian Dryden, Rev. Doug Bayliss, Don Hamilton, Fin Sin- clair, Verne Morrison, Jim Marjoram, John Norfield, Art Gray, Jack Anderson, Bill Barclay, Frank Broome, Ray Marjoram, Patricia Varga, Elmer Noble, John Henderson, Frank Simp- son, John Pott, Peter Piper, and Brent Wignes, all of whom have touched my heart in many different ways with help, guidance, and reassurance that all was well within the Legion in Sas- katchewan as we all had the same goals in mind for the future of the organization.

To all the members of our provincial executive councils over the years and especially our cur- rent executive council—Brent Wignes, Ken Box, Evert Whelen, Lorne Varga, Ray Marjoram, Sharren Dukart, Keith Andrews, Al Hemmingway, Al Hodgson and Patti Paul—thanks for your confidence and for all the good times we’ve had over the years.

Comrade President Dick Wells, thanks to you for your comradeship and friendship over the years. You are doing a fantastic job as head of our organization and I know you will be here in the future to offer your guidance and expertise to all that follow in your footsteps.

To all the spouses of our executive council, you all are a great group of women and men and it has been an absolute pleasure to know you all—Judy, Wendy, Bella, Pat and Ann, to name a few.

To all the members and executive committees of our branches within Saskatchewan, thank you as well, for your patience and understanding and for your confidence in knowing that we could always “get the job done!” To all my good friends and family—Mark, Shawn and Amber—your love and support goes beyond compare! You have been by my side through thick and thin, and I love you all dearly.

Thanks, one and all, and I know the Command and the organization will continue to thrive and grow with the help and continued commitment of all of you! The dedication of our 12,000 strong in this province will always be a force, first and foremost by supporting all veterans, old and new, and second, by continuing on with our great support to our communities and by al- ways remaining the keepers of remembrance now and always!

My 40-year employment with the Command has now ended, however, my promise to uphold the aims and objectives of the Legion will never waiver. I will remain a strong and true mem- ber and continue to support The Royal Canadian Legion at every opportunity.

Donna Gosselin Immediate Past Provincial Executive Director Saskatchewan Command P A G E 14 Central Butte No. 213 This branch recently unveiled a large cenotaph on Main Street in Central Butte. It honours 828 individuals who served our country from the communities of Central Butte and Riverhurst. Funding for this project came from Veterans Affairs Com- munity War Memorial Program as well as from donations from local individuals and businesses purchasing a commemorative walkway brick in front of the ceno- taph.

Craik No. 10 Hats off to the following veterans to whom the Lieutenant Governor presented military service pins: Cleve Bennett, John Duff, Wendy Elliott, Ryan Eyre, Harve Friedel, Garry Gilbertson, George Hamilton, Sebastian Lang, Robert Leslie, Allan McCooeye, Dr. Lloyd Probert, Frank Taylor, Frank Watkins, Alex White and Frank Wright.

Grenfell No. 55 At a special dinner last year, the following members were awarded service pin badges:

Ordinary members 70-year – Vern Hack; 60-year – Ken Welch, Gordon Haylock; 50-year – Cal Bricker; 45-year - Frank Krahenbil; 30-year – Doug Kent, Philip Hoffman and John Markwart

Associate members 10-year – Cathy Cox, Clark Fawcett, Ralph Fleming, Gladys Box, Alice Paton 20-year – Iris Emke, Marilyn Hamnett, Diane Heald, Donna Box 30-year – Ken Box, Lloyd Box, Ethel Box Richard Box, Harry Campion, Ruth Claxton, Jean Gardner, Fred Switzer and Lyle Box 35-year – Doug Farden

Affiliate members 15-year – Keith Trudgeon

And last but certainly not least, this summer, 1st Vice President Ken Box was pre- sented with a life membership from his branch.

Herschel No. 7 Congratulations, Lloyd Henderson, on receiving your 70-year service pin badge.

Kamsack No. 24 Kudos to five remaining Kamsack WWII veterans who were awarded by the Lieu- tenant Governor military service pins: Albert Tysowski, Dan Schindler, John Welyk, Norman Wright and Tom Wakeman.

A reminder to send in your branch news to Provincial Command!

HI- LITES THE ROYAL CANADIAN L EGION P A G E 15 SASKATCHEWAN COMMAND Kelliher No. 219 On behalf of the Kelliher branch, Vice President Melanie Bashutski and Secretary- treasurer Edith Goddard presented $2000 to STARS (shock trauma air rescue ser- vice) Air Ambulance. Before they even presented the cheque, however, they excit- edly accepted a tour that included the inside of the helicopter and learning about what the process looks like from the time a call comes in until the helicopter leaves the base. Melanie and Edith assure you that should you ever be picked up by the STARS helicopter, you will be well taken care of by very professional staff.

Naicam No. 218 Happy birthday, Naicam branch—you are 75 years old this year. To celebrate, the branch served coffee and cake after the Remembrance Day service. In addition, Naicam branch presented a 35-year service pin to Charlie Wilkinson and a 60-year- service pin to Florian Montes.

Prince Albert No. 2 The PA branch had the honour of presenting $40,000 to the Victoria Hospital Foundation to help the Victoria Hospital provide gold standard care to its pa- tients, and in particular, to local veterans requiring specialized procedures such as cataract surgery. The funds were used to purchase two operating chairs and two pressure relief air mattresses for long-term care and palliative patients.

R.G. Combe V.C. No. 61 Congratulations, Rowland William, on receiving your 65-year service pin badge. Way to go to Susan Manning, padre of R.G. Combe VC branch 61, for receiving Legionnaire of the Year award. And last, Mike Sweatman took high school stu- dents on a tour of WWII sites and cemetaries.

Brian Morris, president of the branch, presented $1000 to the Kinsmen to be used for the Kinsmen Spray Park project.

Stoughton-Tecumseh Way to go, Pastor Virgil D. Anderson, on receiving the Royal Canadian Legion life membership. Virgil has served as pastor of this branch since 2001.

Shell Lake No. 15 Shell Lake holds bragging rights: Legionnaire of the Year 2013 was awarded to its own Mervin Madsen.

Wolseley No. 36 A delicious potluck supper was held where Wilf Robertson received his 70-year ser- vice pin— his family and members old and new attended—and where the branch welcomed seven new members: Phillip Robideaux, James and Blanche Merkel, Vance Weber, Deanna Harris, and Kevin and Sharon Jeeves.

P A G E 16  Congratulations to Brent Wignes on receiving the Palm Leaf to the MSM from Saskatchewan Provincial Command.

 It’s coming—the Provincial Convention will be held in Prince Albert from October 17 to 19, 2015.

 We are always accepting submissions for the very successful Military Service Recognition Book! We are currently working on the 2016 edition with the 2015 edition to make its debut in spring 2015. Encourage your local branch, schools and clubs to do some digging and create submissions for you. You can down- load a submission form from www.sasklegion.ca, detach the form included in this book, or ask Provincial Command to send a form to you.

 Several people have asked us for a copy of a Military Service Recognition Book. Unfortunately, the books are unavailable for sale or distribution to individuals. Rather, the books, which have been published every year since 2008, are made available free of charge to schools, libraries, archives, and Legion branches. You can also view all editions on our website.

 The Military Service Recognition Book is published solely through donations and business’s advertising in the book—To this end, a provincial telephone appeal takes place on a yearly basis. To make a donation throughout the year, contact Sas- katchewan Command, 306-525-8739, [email protected].

 Provincial Command has Saskatchewan Command pins, golf shirts and jackets for sale! Pins are $3.00 each. Jackets are $40.00 and golf shirts $35.00 excluding tax and shipping. Jack- ets and shirts come in ladies’ sizes small (S) to extra large (XL), and men’s sizes medium (M) to double extra large (XXL).

 We want to hear about your branch’s activities! Let us know about them and we just might post it on our website or see if it can be published in the Legion Magazine.

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Ordering from the Dominion Command Catalogue P A G E 17

Good news! When you want to purchase from the Dominion Command Legion Branch Catalogue 2014-2015, you can now bypass Saskatche- wan Command and order directly from Dominion Command. Here’s how to order: Toll-free: 1-888-301-2257 Fax: 1-613-591-8462 Email: [email protected] (never email a credit card number) Mail to: Legion Supply, The Royal Canadian Legion 86 Aird Place Ottawa ON K2L 0A1

To access the catalogue online, go to http://www.legion.ca/members/ shop/ and click on “2014-2015 Branch Catalogue (PDF).” You can also get to the catalogue by starting at the home page, clicking on “Members” (from the red ribbon at the top of the page), and then from the drop-down menu, clicking on “Shopping.” Have fun!

Calling All Branches

We need your help and your news!

It is getting harder and harder to fill the pages of our Hi-Lites news- letter without your input.

Please let us know throughout the year what your branch is up to! We know you are all busy doing wonderful things in your communities and we want to hear about it!

Did you hold a special event? Did you award a special honour? Did you make a special donation? Do you have suggestions or advice you want to share with other branches? Let us know!

All you have to do is drop us a quick line at any time during the year. We will compile all your stories and submissions and publish them next December. We look forward to hearing from you!!

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P A G E 18 ...Paul Sutton—Your Provincial Service Officer

So...I guess now is as good a time as any to introduce myself!

I am your new provincial service officer, working at the Saskatchewan Command office in Regina.

I was born and raised in Toronto, Ont. (OK, it wasn’t my fault. My wife and I make fun of the centre of the universe, too!) So it goes without saying that I am a staunch member of the Rider nation (otherwise, I’d have to leave the province or be an out- cast). I am married (for the first time), with two children aged 28 and 29, who also reside in Regina.

I spent 28+ years in the Canadian Forces, posted throughout Ontario, Alberta, Sas- katchewan, and West Africa, retiring at Moose Jaw and now living in Regina. My wife Marilyn works for the Government of Saskatchewan at Saskatchewan Polytech- nic (formerly SIAST).

I have been the provincial service officer since my retirement from the military in July 2014, and have recently completed all required job training, so I’m looking for- ward to assisting veterans throughout Saskatchewan with their needs and the needs of their families.

The role of an RCL service officer is to provide a wide range of services to veterans which include Canadian Forces Regular and Reserve, and RCMP—both serving and retired—as well as their families. Some of the services I provide to veterans and their families include:

A. advocating for disability and other similar benefits with Veterans Affairs Can- ada; B. receiving and processing applications for benevolent funds, including applica- tions on behalf of veterans of Allied Forces; C. processing applications from branches for Special Use of Poppy Trust Funds; D. addressing the needs and providing referrals and direct assistance to homeless and near homeless veterans (Leave the Streets Behind program); E. addressing the needs and providing referrals and direct assistance to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), through the Discovering the Power in Me program; F. processing applications for and authorizing the issue of veteran license plates on behalf of SGI; G. issuing Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor military service pins to veterans who are serving or have served in the Canadian Forces within Saskatchewan; and H. facilitating Second World War tribute applications on behalf of veterans.

Feel free to call on me concerning any of the above services as well as anything else you wish to speak to me about. I can be reached at 1-306-525-8739. Happy holidays!

HI- LITES P A G E 19 Christmas Greetings from Saskatchewan Command Executive Council and Staff: Donna, Cherilyn, Kim, Paul and Stephanie! Our Best Wishes for a Healthy and Happy 2015!

The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command 3079 5th Avenue 306-525-8739 Regina, Saskatchewan 306-525-5023 (fax) S4T 0L6 www.sasklegion.ca