Volume 15 AD VANCE Page 1 Issue #4 Th e Royal Canadian Legion – Barrhaven Branch 641 30/09/2019 www. rcl641.ca The President’s Message Comrades, the month of August was uneventful with the exception of our 13th annual golf tournament which was again a resounding success. The weather co-operated with a cloud-free day and St éphane Guy temperatures around 25 C which made this event a truly enjoyable time away from day-to-day worries. I would like to especially thank Comrade David Sereda and all of the many volunteers who made this special event such a great success. Some of us had the pleasure of visiting the Afghanistan Memorial at NDHQ (Carling) which is a somber reminder of the costs of war, especially when you realize that so many paid the ultimate price at such a young age. However, the way that the Afghanistan Memorial has been reassembled in this especially designed building is, in my view, deserving of our heroes. The only problem is that it is located in a secure location, which even though it will be open to the public on a few occasions a year, it will still limit the number of visitors who could potentially have the privilege of visiting this memorial which represents a somber time in our military history. Our clubhouse recently had a facelift with a new floor in Valour Hall. Thanks to comrade Patrick Creppin who purchased the tiles and to our Housing Officer, Comrade Tom Lamb, who, with the help of Laura Ozimek, Angele Guy, Gilbert Whelan, Jim Duff and myself, spent hours removing the tiles of the dance floor and the carpet in time for the installer to start his work. The hall looks so much better and more attractive to members and potential renters. Thanks to all who were involved. Stéphane Guy, President 613-797-7021 [email protected] “Always Do the Right Thing" This and all past issues of The Advance can be viewed at: http://www.rcl641.ca/advance.html AD VANCE Page 2 Th e Royal Canadian Legion – Barrhaven Branch 641 www. rcl641.ca Highlights of Reports from your Executive Chairs for June* *Full reports can be found in the binder containing Meeting Minutes which are available behind the bar, in the branch Sergeant-at-Arms Report The colour party had a couple events over the summer, namely Canada Day and the Legion service for Ray Desjardins. Everything went well. We also have new flags on the roof of the Legion. Remembrance Day – Our president and I met this month with the principal of John McCrae High School and I have also confirmed the hall at Walter Baker and the trailer rental for November 11. Membership Report Life: 6 Affiliate: 198 Ordinary: 219 Affiliate Non-voting: 1 Associate: 206 Deceased: 4 Membership total: 634 Dale Fisch (Air Force) 05-641 Membership Chair Poppy Chair Report We have scheduled a Poppy Kick-off Meeting for September 29, at 2:00 p.m. We hope you can all come out, participate and sign up for some of our 273 shifts. Campaign Dates: Friday, October 25 to Sunday, November 10: 17 days total Poppy distribution tables at our five regular local stores will be daily and during the entire campaign. The stores are: Walmart, Metro, Loblaw’s, Ross’ Independent and Sobeys. Friday, November 1 until Sunday, November 10. Weekday hours same as shifts below, except for weekends. (See sign up sheets,) Shifts for all stores are: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Have questions? Can’t attend the kick-off meeting but want to find out how you can help? Contact me. Ed Schelenz, CD Poppy Chairman [email protected] or 613-371-6634 AD VANCE Page 3 Th e Royal Canadian Legion – Barrhaven Branch 641 www. rcl641.ca Branch/Veterans Service Officer Report Since my July 2019 report to Branch 641, the cumulative number of persons aided through the VSO since January 1, 2019 did not change in August and remains at 22 military Veterans, two RCMP, and six persons outside the Barrhaven area. No name or pack drill. A reminder that the next training session by the PSO for Branch Veterans Service Officers, Poppy Chairpersons and interested parties is scheduled to take place at RCL Smith Falls, Branch 95 on October 5 and 6, 2019. Comrade Victor W.S. Chan, LCdr(ret’d), CD, KStG Veterans’ Service/Branch Service Officer Youth Education & Bursary Program Report Bursaries: At the Executive meeting held September 2, 2019, a motion was approved to update the 2019-20 Bursary program. The program is accepting from September 1 and until the deadline of October 31, 2019 for the 2019-20 academic year. The website has been updated and the application form can be found online and also available at the branch. Poster and Literary Contest: Letters and information packages will be sent to area schools this month to promote the contest. Deadline for submissions is November 15, 2019. Comrade Lyle Brennan, CD Youth Education & Bursary Program Officer Entertainment/Hospitality Report Meals for October Friday, October 4, 2019 Roasted Chicken Lolachers Band: Noel Dimar Friday, October 11, 2019 Fish & Chips Ad Mare Band: Albert & The Collection Friday, October 18, 2019 Choice of Salmon or Chicken & Rice Band: The BedRockers Saturday, October 19, 2019 Christmas Market Sunday, October 20, 2019 High Tea Friday, October 25, 2019 Steak & Roasted Potatoes Band: Gib Rozon Angele Guy Entertainment/Hospitality Chair AD VANCE Page 4 Th e Royal Canadian Legion – Barrhaven Branch 641 www. rcl641.ca Honours & Awards Report The Committee draws attention to the following list of Honours and Awards and requests and encourages all members of the branch to consider and make award application for deserving branch members. Applications are to be submitted to the Honours and Awards Committee. Details of the awards can be found in the Ritual, Awards, and Protocol Manual, available online . The available list of Honours and Awards is as follows: *** Indicates submit anytime. Legion: Certificate of Appreciation*** Certificate of Merit, *** Branch Service Medal, *** Life Membership, (10 years consecutive) *** MSM, Palm Leaf, (five years between Life & MSM), *** Legion Friendship Award, (Organizations or members of) *** Branch Special Legion Award Plaque, *** Media Award. *** Province of Ontario Honours: Order of Ontario, March Ontario medal for Good Citizenship, July Province of Ontario Volunteers (Youths & Adults), January Ontario Senior Achievement Award, June Other awards: Order of Ottawa, September Meritorious Service Decoration (Civilian) – Medal, Cross *** VAC Minister’s Commendation, *** Polar Medal, *** Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers ***. Liberation75 Level 2 Order your FREE Liberation75 Ceremonial Garden Planting & Blooming Kit The Ceremonial Kits include 75 Liberation75 Bulbs* for your garden space, the Liberation75 Posters and the E-Marketing Tool Kit. PLUS! Detailed guidelines for the designing, planting, tending and promotion of a Liberation75 Ceremonial Garden at your branch. Instructions on how to share your Planting & Blooming Ceremonies with the country will also be provided together with customizable Press Releases for your local use in both the fall of 2019 and the spring of 2020 and graphics for an official sign to mark your Liberation75 Garden. All products provided on-line and free of charge. AD VANCE Page 5 Th e Royal Canadian Legion – Barrhaven Branch 641 www. rcl641.ca The Poppy Campaign Every year, from the last Friday of October to November 11, tens of millions of Canadians wear a Poppy as a visual pledge to honour Canada’s Veterans and remember those who sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today. While the Poppy is distributed freely to all who wish to wear one, the Legion gratefully accepts donations to the Poppy Fund. The Poppy Campaign is very much a local initiative, conducted by Legion Branches in cities, towns and communities across the country. Donations collected during the Poppy Campaign are held in Trust at the branch level to directly support Veterans and their families within their community and to help ensure Canadians “never forget.” Learn more about how your donations help Veterans . In the days leading up to November 11, Poppies can be seen in every corner of this great country. This show of support and display of remembrance would not be possible without the efforts of thousands of Legionnaires and Cadets who volunteer to distribute Poppies to the community through schools, community organizations and local businesses. We are so grateful for their efforts, and for the support of the many partners, local and national, who welcome Legion volunteers and Poppy boxes into their locations. The Poppy Campaign also features a digital Poppy, found online at mypoppy.ca . Canadians who donate online will receive a digital Poppy in remembrance of a Veteran of their choosing. Canadians outside of the country can obtain a Poppy from their Canadian Embassy or Consulate. We thank all Canadians for supporting the Legion’s Poppy Campaign, honouring Canada’s Veterans. If you want to get involved with the Poppy Campaign and help support Canada’s Veterans every day, join the Legion! Learn more AD VANCE Page 6 Th e Royal Canadian Legion – Barrhaven Branch 641 www. rcl641.ca Line Dancing Fall 2019 Mondays from September 2 till November 25 from 1 to 2 p.m. Review previous dances: Slide, Continental, Honky Tonk, Wagon Wheel, Serpentine, Waltz, Boot Scootin Boogie, Canadian Stroll, Fireball, Watermelon, Crawl, Honky Tonk Stomp Learn: I love a rainy night, Sunday Morning, It Must be Love AD VANCE Page 7 Th e Royal Canadian Legion – Barrhaven Branch 641 www. rcl641.ca General Meetings All Members are welcome – and encouraged – to attend our monthly General Meetings.