Summer 2012 - Royal Canadian Legion
Summer 2012 - Royal Canadian Legion
Summer 2012 - Royal Canadian Legion
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P R I D E I N O U R P A S T<br />
F A I T H I N O U R F U T U R E<br />
FREE<br />
VOLUME 24, NO.3 <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2012</strong><br />
N<br />
NEWS<br />
Children’s Wish<br />
Foundation<br />
runners arrive<br />
in Digby<br />
... Page 2<br />
EVENTS<br />
Dominion<br />
8-Ball tourney<br />
was a big<br />
success<br />
... Page 5<br />
Dominion Past President Pat Varga says Halifax convention was ‘fantastic’ ... see Page 3<br />
Branch photos<br />
and news<br />
begin on<br />
... Page 10<br />
At the May 12 Executive Council Meeting of Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command, a donation of $7500 was presented by<br />
Public Relations Chair, Carol Sabean to the Military Family Resource Centre. Accepting this donation were (l to r) Shawn<br />
Fenerty, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and Patricia Haight, Fund Development, Halifax and Region. Also present<br />
was Jean Marie Deveaux, President of Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command (right).
2 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F<br />
N O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2012</strong><br />
(Above left) Members of HMCS Halifax taking part in their annual run for The Children’s Wish Foundation include: (back row l to r) PO Troy Purdy,<br />
OS Christopher West, MS Edward Duggan, MS Kurt Eason, Slt N Stephen Boudreau, PO 2 Bruce Bragg; (front row l to r) LS Astrid Leblanc, Slt N Shauna<br />
Boudreau, PO2 Robert Jensen, Cpl Jason Boulanger, PO1 Robert Patenaude. (Photo above right) PO1 Robert Patenaude accepts a donation from Branch<br />
20 President Cmd. John Conway.<br />
Children’s Wish runners welcomed at Branch 20<br />
By Carol Sabean<br />
Public Relations Chair<br />
NS/NU Command<br />
On June 2, Branch 20 Digby hosted the HMCS<br />
Halifax serving members on their annual run for The<br />
Children’s Wish Foundation.<br />
Their day began in Yarmouth and over the course<br />
of several hours with two teams running, finally arrived<br />
at Digby at approximately 3 p.m..<br />
To the Editor,<br />
Most <strong>Canadian</strong> families and <strong>Canadian</strong> Forces<br />
Families are not aware that the CPP death benefit plan<br />
may only pay $2,500 or less. The following information<br />
should be of interest to most <strong>Canadian</strong> Forces<br />
Families.<br />
- At present the estate of disabled children is not<br />
entitle to this benefit.<br />
- The estate of children under the age of 18 is not<br />
The group of 11 were welcomed by John Conway,<br />
President of Branch 20 and other members as well as<br />
Ladies Auxiliary. The runners were somewhat tired<br />
and were invited into the branch for refreshments.<br />
Good conversation and laughter was enjoyed by all.<br />
A good home cooked meal was enjoyed and appreciated<br />
by all. After dinner, box lunches were picked up<br />
for the next day run to Berwick and then they were off<br />
for a well deserved rest.<br />
entitled to this benefit.<br />
- The estate of many spouses who have not made<br />
the necessary CPP contributions for a varied number<br />
of reasons is not entitled to this benefit.<br />
Dedicated Veterans have prepared a petition and<br />
will approach the Government of Canada to request<br />
that the CPP Death benefit amount be increase to<br />
$5,000 for all <strong>Canadian</strong>s regardless of their contribution<br />
levels when burying their love ones.<br />
President John Conway presented a donation to<br />
Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Patenaude for The Children’s<br />
Wish Foundation.<br />
This is the first year The <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Canadian</strong> <strong>Legion</strong>s<br />
in Nova Scotia have teamed with the HMCS Halifax<br />
ship’s company and The Children’s Wish Foundation.<br />
Congratulations to the team of runners who are<br />
dedicated to this most worthy cause. It was a pleasure<br />
for Branch 20 to host them.<br />
Letter - A Veteran Point of View: CPP Death Benefit<br />
We believe that the Government is capable of lessening<br />
the burden associated with burial expenses that<br />
faces all <strong>Canadian</strong>s families. Further information is<br />
available from the undersigned.<br />
John Labelle<br />
Veteran<br />
florencejohn@ns.sympatico.ca<br />
www.ipetitions.com/petition/canada-pension-plan-deathbenefit/
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2012</strong> T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F<br />
N O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D<br />
3<br />
Editor’s Notebook<br />
The official publication of<br />
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command<br />
The <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Canadian</strong> <strong>Legion</strong><br />
The Torch is printed quarterly and is distributed to the<br />
<strong>Legion</strong> Branches and its membership.<br />
The Torch Editor<br />
Glen Parker<br />
A Brace Publishing LTD Company<br />
88 College Street, Antigonish, NS, B2G 2L7<br />
Advertising Sales Representatives<br />
Gina Tagliapietra<br />
ginat@thecasket.ca<br />
902-863-4370 ext. 221<br />
Dave Roberts<br />
csr@thecasket.ca<br />
902-863-4370 Ext. 233<br />
The Torch is the official publication of Nova Scotia/<br />
Nunavut Command, The <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Canadian</strong> <strong>Legion</strong> and is<br />
distributed across Nova Scotia and to Rankin Inlet and<br />
Iqaluit and is printed quarterly. The Editor reserves the right<br />
to edit, condense or reject copy, photographs or advertising<br />
to achieve the aims of The <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Canadian</strong> <strong>Legion</strong>. Material<br />
should be typed, double spaced and must be accompanied<br />
by the contributor’s name, address and phone number. Electronic<br />
submissions are<br />
preferred and should be sent to info@ns.legion.ca. Opinions<br />
and advertisements printed in the Torch are those of the<br />
individual contributor or advertiser and do not necessarily<br />
reflect the opinions or endorsements of The <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Canadian</strong><br />
<strong>Legion</strong>, the editor or the publisher.<br />
Notice to all <strong>Legion</strong> Branches<br />
Re: Articles and pictures for<br />
upcoming issues of The Torch.<br />
As usual, all copy (including pictures) are to be sent directly<br />
to <strong>Legion</strong> Command Headquarters:<br />
61 Gloria McCluskey Drive, Dartmouth, NS B3B 2Z3<br />
Please try to have your material in on time.<br />
Publication date<br />
Deadline<br />
February 15, <strong>2012</strong> January 23, <strong>2012</strong><br />
May 2, <strong>2012</strong> April 9, <strong>2012</strong><br />
July 25, <strong>2012</strong> July 9, <strong>2012</strong><br />
October 31, <strong>2012</strong> October 8, <strong>2012</strong><br />
Return undelivered <strong>Canadian</strong> addresses to:<br />
<strong>Legion</strong> Command Headquarters:<br />
61 Gloria McCluskey Drive, Dartmouth, NS B3B 2Z3<br />
Publication Mail Agreement No. 40024609<br />
Glen Parker<br />
David Blanchard<br />
couldn’t be blamed for<br />
a little nervous tension<br />
leading up to June’s<br />
Dominion Convention<br />
in Halifax. As chairman<br />
of the Nova Scotia/Nunavut<br />
Command Local<br />
Dear Comrades,<br />
Words are the only<br />
way we have of expressing<br />
our most heartfelt<br />
Thanks for the wonderful<br />
job the LAC did for<br />
the 44th Biennial Convention.<br />
Dave Blanchard<br />
and his co-chairs and All<br />
of his great team pulled<br />
out all stops to make it a<br />
very smooth and successful<br />
convention. We are<br />
so proud of you! Thanks<br />
and praise have come in<br />
from all corners of the<br />
country. Bravo Zulu as<br />
they say. The Poppy Drop<br />
was amazing. Thank you<br />
to all those wonderful<br />
school children-you made<br />
our opening ceremonies<br />
LAC Chairman can relax now<br />
Arrangements Committee<br />
(LAC), he was responsible<br />
for the logistics of the annual<br />
convention, this year<br />
staged at the World Trade<br />
and Convention Centre<br />
and Metro Centre for<br />
1075 legionnaires from<br />
across Canada.<br />
“It was an experience,”<br />
he said when he arrived<br />
home in Ellershouse after<br />
the convention.<br />
“Everyone seemed quite<br />
happy. Everything ran<br />
very smooth.”<br />
The convention<br />
sported a full agenda<br />
including a presentation<br />
so very special.<br />
The Sunset ceremony<br />
by the cadets was awesome!<br />
Many delegates<br />
had never seen one before<br />
and were thrilled by it.<br />
Nova Scotia; You did<br />
us proud as always! We<br />
are blessed to have such<br />
wonderful people and<br />
such dedicated cadets and<br />
military. They all worked<br />
hand in hand with us to<br />
show our pride.<br />
Speaking of convention<br />
:Please comrades,<br />
when you plan on<br />
attending conventions,<br />
please plan to stay until<br />
convention is over. There<br />
are ways you can plan for<br />
the extra day; i.e. a small<br />
on the veteran’s transition<br />
program to help vets<br />
with post-traumatic stress<br />
disorder.<br />
A new initiative, Leave<br />
the Streets Behind, was<br />
announced. It’s a program<br />
for homeless vets or those<br />
in need of decent housing.<br />
In total, there were<br />
more than 86 resolutions<br />
considered by the delegates.<br />
Comrade Blanchard,<br />
who is a past president<br />
of Nova Scotia/Nunavut<br />
Command, said he had a<br />
“fantastic group of volunteers”<br />
on his committee.<br />
Message from the President<br />
fundraiser to cover the<br />
extra cost. Also please<br />
pay careful attention to<br />
your convention books,<br />
especially Resolutions:<br />
we had a very important<br />
resolution brought back<br />
to the floor. Resolution<br />
#228 was defeated when<br />
brought back because 50+<br />
of our delegates were not<br />
in convention hall. The<br />
vote was 360 for the resolution,<br />
368 against. Please<br />
make sure you chose your<br />
times carefully before<br />
leaving the hall.<br />
Comrades, it’s now<br />
time to unpack our luggage<br />
and get ready for<br />
our fall activities. Enjoy<br />
your summer; safe travels<br />
“The highlight for me<br />
was seeing our parade<br />
come off without a hitch,”<br />
he said.<br />
That was topped off by<br />
local cadets performing<br />
the sunset ceremony in<br />
the Grand Parade.<br />
During the convention,<br />
close to $200,000 was<br />
raised by a special collection<br />
for war veterans in<br />
the Caribbean who do not<br />
get any pensions at all.<br />
The next Dominion<br />
Convention will be in<br />
held in oil country, Edmonton,<br />
Alberta, in 2014.<br />
An open letter from Dominion Past President<br />
To Comrade Jean Marie Deveaux.<br />
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you,<br />
Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command officers and staff and<br />
members of the Local Arrangements Committee for<br />
the wonderful Dominion Convention. You all worked<br />
extremely hard to make this work and it is appreciated.<br />
Indeed, if I could clone some of your people and ship<br />
them out across the nation, the <strong>Legion</strong> would be very<br />
well off indeed.<br />
From the moment our DEC and guests touched down<br />
at the Halifax airport until they departed everything was<br />
fantastic. The parade, wreath laying, Poppy Drop and of<br />
course the Sunset Ceremony could not have been done<br />
better. Many of our first time Convention attendees<br />
and many of our more experienced members found the<br />
Poppy Drop absolutely overwhelming. Well done!<br />
Thank you to the Nunavut Branch and your Command<br />
for my lovely “Dancing Walrus”. He is in a place<br />
of Honor in our home and a special place in my heart. I<br />
have always had an affinity to members from your Command<br />
and that feeling was only enhanced during my<br />
time in Nova Scotia. Of course being an Honorary Cape<br />
Bretoner and a member of the Liberation Army has been<br />
a point of pride with me since 2000.<br />
You are all truly wonderful people and dedicated,<br />
devoted <strong>Legion</strong>naires. A big Bravo Zulu to all.<br />
Jean Marie, please pass this thank you along to all of<br />
the people involved.<br />
Pat Varga<br />
Immediate Past Dominion President<br />
<strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Canadian</strong> <strong>Legion</strong><br />
and keep our military<br />
and our veterans in<br />
your hearts and prayers.<br />
Thank them for their<br />
service.<br />
In Comradeship,<br />
Jean Marie Deveaux
4 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F<br />
N O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2012</strong><br />
‘Thank You’ from<br />
LAC chairman<br />
Re: Local Arrangements<br />
Committee for the 44th<br />
Dominion Command<br />
Convention held in Halifax,<br />
June 10-13, <strong>2012</strong>.<br />
As Chairman of this<br />
committee I want to<br />
thank all of those who<br />
were involved in making<br />
this a successful convention.<br />
Delegates from across<br />
the Country, and Dominion<br />
Command personnel<br />
have expressed to me their<br />
satisfaction and appreciation<br />
on the success of the<br />
convention.<br />
For example we<br />
received Kudos from Pat<br />
Varga, Immediate Past<br />
President of Dominion<br />
Command and also from<br />
Provincial Commands.<br />
These remarks make<br />
me feel very proud indeed<br />
to have been associated<br />
with, and to have worked<br />
with, the great group of<br />
Comrade Volunteers who<br />
gave their time, expertise<br />
and energy to make this<br />
44th Dominion Convention<br />
stand as one of the<br />
very best. In fact the LAC<br />
Chairman from Alberta/<br />
Northwest Territories who<br />
will be hosting the 2014<br />
convention remarked at<br />
the closing ceremony,<br />
“Nova scotia/Nunavut<br />
Command has set the bar<br />
pretty high”.<br />
To all the volunteers<br />
from the Branches and<br />
Provincial Command, my<br />
sincere thank you, because<br />
without you Comrades, it<br />
never would have happened.<br />
Don’t forget our LAC<br />
party to be held at Calais<br />
Branch, Sackville, N.S.,<br />
Saturday August 18, beginning<br />
at 4 p.m. All LAC<br />
Volunteers and spouse or<br />
friend are welcome.<br />
Dave Blanchard,<br />
LAC Chairman<br />
Dave Blanchard<br />
ATribute poem to the Newfoundland Regiment<br />
that suffered virtual annihilation at<br />
Beaumont-Hamel, 1916<br />
The Ballad of Beaumont-Hamel<br />
(Ode To “The Caribou” Regiment)<br />
Charlie was a ‘fishin-by,’<br />
from the nor’wester shore<br />
Not the kind of ‘fightin lad,”<br />
that one would choose for war.<br />
But, when the call ‘To Arms!’ was heard,<br />
it stirred him to the core.<br />
So off he went, hell bound and bent -<br />
to blood and guts and gore.<br />
Now Billy was the hunter type,<br />
an inland sort of guy.<br />
A huntin’-trappin’ outdodor kid,<br />
his roof the open sky.<br />
So when he heard his country call,<br />
he did not question: Why<br />
He simply chose go give ‘his all’ -<br />
no thought that he might die.<br />
Now some may say ‘coincidence,’<br />
while others ‘just by chance.’<br />
No matter which may be the case,<br />
both b’ys were now in France.<br />
Uneasy Charlie Beaumont now,<br />
far from coastal sea,<br />
And anxious Billy Hamel set,<br />
in search of ‘enemy’.<br />
Full half-way through this fateful war,<br />
mid-summer of the year;<br />
the Western Front was falling fast,<br />
called units from the rear.<br />
July the first to be exact<br />
dispatches would record,<br />
the year was nineteen ten and six<br />
the birthday of our Lord<br />
This regiment of briney bys<br />
of Eighty-Eight brigade<br />
were chosen to ‘fill up the ranks’<br />
WESTMOUNT<br />
BRANCH 126<br />
AD#38011<br />
2x2<br />
and come to allied aid<br />
Eight hundred strong and sturdy mates,<br />
their country there to serve,<br />
unto the death, if that need be,<br />
with grit and pride and nerve<br />
In their trench called St. John’s Road,<br />
they huddled side by each<br />
‘Cod catchers,” at another time,<br />
could use a swig of screech.<br />
In putties ‘blue,’ ‘The Caribou’<br />
all trained and strained for fight.<br />
The novice newfie ‘Number One;<br />
knew not their fate and plight.<br />
That night their last upon this earth,<br />
they passed in song and cheer,<br />
I said, ‘me prayers’ was one report,”<br />
while others had a beer.<br />
Beyond a shallow valley lay,<br />
a village stood near by<br />
Beaumont Hamel was the name<br />
where our two lads would die.<br />
Was just past nine that awful day;<br />
Ar bys charged at the foe.<br />
Mid-German fire and tangle wire,<br />
assembled row on row.<br />
Exposed and trapped in ‘no mans land’,<br />
few reached ‘the danger tree.’<br />
Yet none would breach that Prussian line,<br />
brought down to bended knee.<br />
So short a time, just minutes passed,<br />
did that engagement end.<br />
When carnage ceased and death won out,<br />
a hill of vanquished dead.<br />
Two thirds of one whole regiment,<br />
were sacrificed that day.<br />
“Annihilation” was the term,<br />
when news back home was read.<br />
So now their story has been told<br />
of ar bys and the Hun.<br />
Of Charlie, Billy and the rest,<br />
no chance to fire a gun.<br />
Lest we forget the fate they met,<br />
away beyond the sea,<br />
they gave their all, prepared to fall,<br />
for such as you and me.<br />
George Borden<br />
Dartmouth, NS<br />
April, <strong>2012</strong>
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2012</strong> T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F<br />
N O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D<br />
5<br />
The NS/NU Command 8 Ball Pool team: (back l to r) Brian Bartkow, NS/<br />
NUC 2nd Vice Steve Wessel, Chris Marsh; (front l to r) Robert Moore, Howard<br />
McKinnon.<br />
Dominion Vice President and Sports Chairman Dave Flannigan (left)<br />
presents awards to the winning 4-man team representing BC/YUK Command.<br />
Dominion Vice President and Sports Chairman Dave Flannigan presents<br />
the Singles Championship trophy to Albert Ducharme representing Man/<br />
NWO Command.<br />
Steve Wessel<br />
NS/NU Command 8<br />
Ball Pool Chairman<br />
<strong>Legion</strong> sports has a new<br />
addition to its roster with<br />
the inaugural 8 Ball Pool<br />
Tournament having been<br />
held May 25-28, <strong>2012</strong> in<br />
Victoria, B.C.<br />
The host branch for<br />
the event, Britannia<br />
Branch 07, certainly set<br />
the bar high for further<br />
branches wishing<br />
to host this Dominion<br />
tournament. The <strong>Legion</strong><br />
facilities were spacious<br />
and comfortable, the<br />
tournament play was very<br />
well organized and the<br />
comradeship exhibited by<br />
all competitors and observers<br />
was outstanding.<br />
Local Arrangements<br />
Chairman, Comrade Bill<br />
Unwin, and his team of<br />
volunteers did a remarkable<br />
job in preparing for<br />
the nine, 4-man teams<br />
who arrived in beautiful<br />
Victoria to play pool.<br />
All provinces and territories<br />
were represented<br />
except for Quebec, who<br />
could not field a team.<br />
The Dominion organizing<br />
team of Dominion<br />
Vice President and Sports<br />
Chairman Dave Flannigan,<br />
and sports secretary<br />
Danny Martin did a great<br />
job of ensuring that all<br />
competitors, guests and<br />
observers were treated to a<br />
great weekend of competitive<br />
pool. They set their<br />
goals for this inaugural<br />
tournament very high –<br />
and they met or exceeded<br />
every one.<br />
Nova Scotia/Nunavut<br />
Command was proudly<br />
represented by our team<br />
from Kingston Branch 98<br />
which was comprised of<br />
team captain Chris Marsh,<br />
Howard McKinnon,<br />
Robert Moore and Brian<br />
Bartkow. I was privileged<br />
to have been offered the<br />
opportunity to attend this<br />
inaugural tournament and<br />
would like to thank my<br />
Dominion Vice President and Sports Chairman Dave Flannigan presents<br />
a plaque to Britannia Br 07 President Joan Dysart and L.A.C. Chairman Bill<br />
Unwin in appreciation for hosting the inaugural 8-Ball Pool tournament.<br />
Dominion 8-Ball tourney hosted by Branch 07 in Victoria<br />
fellow Command Officers<br />
and Executive Council<br />
for this opportunity. The<br />
experience gained will<br />
definitely be put to good<br />
use.<br />
On Saturday morning<br />
following a well-organized<br />
and very well attended<br />
opening ceremony,<br />
tournament play began. It<br />
is worthy to note the following<br />
– I understand that<br />
there are many talented<br />
players participating in<br />
various sports throughout<br />
the <strong>Legion</strong>s across<br />
Canada, but, the level of<br />
play exhibited during this<br />
tournament was phenomenal<br />
to say the least! All<br />
the <strong>Legion</strong> branches that<br />
sent representatives to this<br />
tournament should be<br />
extremely proud of their<br />
teams.<br />
At the end of divisional<br />
play the BC/<br />
YUK Command and<br />
MAN/NWO Command<br />
teams were tied with 28<br />
points. BC/YUK won<br />
the tie-breaker round and<br />
claimed the 4-man team<br />
championship. MAN/<br />
NWO claimed 2nd place<br />
with NS/NU Command<br />
and NB Command tied<br />
for 3rd place with 21<br />
points.<br />
Our NS/NU Command<br />
team are to be<br />
congratulated for their<br />
3rd place Dominion finish<br />
as well as the sportsmanship<br />
they exhibited<br />
throughout the tournament.<br />
The membership of<br />
Kingston Branch 98, and<br />
all of Nova Scotia, should<br />
be very proud of these<br />
Comrades.<br />
In the 2-man doubles<br />
playoff it was again BC/<br />
YUK against MAN/<br />
NWO, and again the BC/<br />
YUK team claimed 1st<br />
place.<br />
The top four highest<br />
scoring players from divisional<br />
play then competed<br />
for the Dominion singles<br />
(Con’t on Page 6)
6 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F<br />
N O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2012</strong><br />
8-Ball<br />
(Con’t from Page 5)<br />
championship. Represented<br />
were - BC/<br />
YUK, MAN/NWO with<br />
two players and New<br />
Brunswick. After an<br />
intense playoff round,<br />
Larry Wilson, BC/YUK<br />
Command advanced to<br />
face Albert Ducharme,<br />
MAN/NWO Command<br />
in the final. The crowd<br />
in the Britannia <strong>Legion</strong><br />
fell silent as these two extremely<br />
talented shooters<br />
mesmerized the crowd<br />
with their shooting<br />
skills. After a five game<br />
set Al Ducharme claimed<br />
the singles championship.<br />
With the competition<br />
complete and winners<br />
declared, the tournament<br />
ended on Sunday<br />
evening with a banquet<br />
and awards ceremony.<br />
For an inaugural<br />
event, the Dominion 8<br />
Ball Pool Championship<br />
could easily have been an<br />
uneventful tournament,<br />
however, all teams agreed<br />
that it was a resounding<br />
success and all Commands<br />
are looking<br />
forward to next year’s<br />
tournament in Fredericton,<br />
New Brunswick.<br />
At Branch 165 Honours and Awards on May<br />
26, Howard Clarke is presented with the <strong>Legion</strong>naire<br />
of the Year Award by Linda MacDonnell on<br />
behalf of the family.<br />
The annual Mount<br />
Uniacke Branch 165 Honours<br />
and Awards night<br />
was held on May 26.<br />
Guests for the evening<br />
were Nova Scotia/Nunavut<br />
Command Chairman,<br />
Roger Purnell, Zone<br />
Commander for Zone 15<br />
Bob Evans and Deputy<br />
Zone Commander Karen<br />
Lynch, Councilors Rosanne<br />
Bland and John<br />
Patterson, MLA John<br />
McDonell and his wife<br />
Leslie, Delores Broussard<br />
representing Uniacke and<br />
District School, District<br />
F Commander Jay Tofflemire<br />
and representatives<br />
from Sackville,<br />
Bedford and Waverley<br />
<strong>Legion</strong>s.<br />
The evening started<br />
with a wine and cheese<br />
reception followed by a<br />
dinner catered by Wise<br />
Choice Catering and then<br />
On May 12 at annual Branch 165 Sports Banquet, Alvina Ritchie was<br />
presented with the Carol Ransom Appreciation Award by Sports Officer<br />
Gordie Perry.<br />
Branch 165 holds Honours and Awards night<br />
the awards presentations.<br />
The following is a list<br />
of award recipients:<br />
Certificates of Appreciation<br />
(for continued<br />
volunteerism to the<br />
Branch): Donna Giles,<br />
Annette Demond, Betty<br />
Dow, Lena Landry, Sharon<br />
Doucette, Lorraine<br />
Wagner, Judy Yetman,<br />
Joanne Alpaugh, Susan<br />
Caldwell, Cathie Hubley,<br />
Delores Arsenault, Floyd<br />
Caldwell, Kelly McIntosh,<br />
Anne Marie Patterson,<br />
Paulette Foley, Jim Kennickell,<br />
Mabel McCarthy,<br />
Linda Thompson, Brenda<br />
Smith, P.J. Hill, Jennifer<br />
Paulley-Mumford, Judy<br />
Neault, Dave Wagner,<br />
Bill Yetman and Colleen<br />
McCabe.<br />
Certificates of Merit<br />
(for outstanding volunteerism):<br />
Roger Grondin,<br />
Judy Neault, Sis Clarke,<br />
Bill Harroun, Helen<br />
Oakley, Georgie Spioneck,<br />
Dave Wagner, Rita Harroun,<br />
Judy Brundage and<br />
Diane Fahie.<br />
Years of service pins<br />
(for continuous years<br />
of membership to the<br />
<strong>Legion</strong>): Myrna Grant<br />
and Newman Parker – 30<br />
years; Murial Druhan,<br />
(Con’t on Page 7)<br />
District Commander Ted Martens presents a<br />
plaque to Branch 47 Ladies Auxiliary President<br />
Mary Alice Doyle marking the auxiliary’s 50th<br />
Anniversary.
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Awards<br />
(Con’t from Page 6)<br />
Roy Lee, Pat Ruttan, Bill<br />
Bowmaster and Eric Bent<br />
– 25 years; Dave King,<br />
Bruce Riley, Roy Roberts,<br />
Jackie Nicoll-McLellan<br />
and John McLellan – 20<br />
years.<br />
Branch Bar: Dave King<br />
and Paulette Foley (Honours<br />
and Awards Bar).<br />
Friendship Award:<br />
Lois Brown on behalf<br />
of the Mount Uniacke<br />
Swingsters<br />
Branch Service Medal:<br />
Gordie Perry, Dave<br />
Wagner, Judy Yetman and<br />
Alvina Ritchie<br />
President’s Award<br />
(presented by the President<br />
to an Executive or<br />
Branch member for their<br />
dedication to the Branch<br />
and their tireless work<br />
for all its members): Jane<br />
King.<br />
<strong>Legion</strong>naire of the<br />
Year: presented by Linda<br />
MacDonnell on behalf of<br />
the family and in memory<br />
of Jack MacDonnell to<br />
a legionnaire who helps<br />
promotes the Poppy Campaign,<br />
<strong>Legion</strong> welfare and<br />
Veterans’ service: Howard<br />
Clarke.<br />
Life Membership (given<br />
to a <strong>Legion</strong> member<br />
who has made significant<br />
contributions of time,<br />
effort and dedication to<br />
the Branch welfare and<br />
ideals over a long period<br />
of time): Joyce Albert,<br />
Howard Clarke and Lorraine<br />
Wagner.<br />
President Mabel also<br />
presented an Honourary<br />
Patron certificate to<br />
Comrade Stan Horton of<br />
Calais Branch 162 for his<br />
continued assistance to<br />
our Branch with Hootenannys,<br />
our Seniors Day<br />
and Vets visit.<br />
President Mabel and<br />
Bingo Chairperson, Joan<br />
Hayden presented a<br />
cheque for $1,600 to Uniacke<br />
and District School<br />
for the breakfast program.<br />
We wish to thank<br />
everyone who volunteers<br />
to help keep our Branch<br />
an integral part of the<br />
community.<br />
At Branch 165 Honours and Awards on May<br />
26, President Mabel McCarthy presents Jane King<br />
with the President’s Award.<br />
At Branch 165 Honours and Awards on May 26, Life Memberships were<br />
presented to: (l to r) Joyce Albert, Howard Clarke and Lorraine Wagner.
8<br />
T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F<br />
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<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2012</strong><br />
Notes from Nunavut<br />
Unloading a cargo ship in Iqaluit at the annual sealift.<br />
Nunavut Today - The Economy<br />
by Nick Newbery<br />
The traditional economy<br />
of trading between<br />
small isolated groups<br />
has long since passed for<br />
Inuit.<br />
But although ‘the job’<br />
has imposed itself on<br />
most people in the Arctic,<br />
there are still some who<br />
make much of their living<br />
by the traditional means<br />
of hunting, fishing and<br />
trapping. Part-time employment<br />
is popular with<br />
many Inuit.<br />
Most Nunavut communities<br />
are small,<br />
offering a limited number<br />
of jobs; these are<br />
sometimes shared so that<br />
several people can access a<br />
moderate regular income<br />
along with the freedom to<br />
carve, sew, attend to their<br />
young families or to go<br />
Northern souvenirs for the tourist market.<br />
hunting. This is really the<br />
closest that they can get to<br />
the independence of the<br />
traditional lifestyle. One<br />
in three Inuit derive part<br />
of their income from arts<br />
and crafts and since most<br />
prefer ‘country food’ to<br />
expensive store-bought<br />
items, for many the mixed<br />
lifestyle economy suits<br />
them well.<br />
Most jobs are to be<br />
found with private enterprise<br />
and the government<br />
but in the 25 Nunavut<br />
communities, only the<br />
ten largest (which have<br />
decentralised government<br />
offices) can offer any real<br />
amount of employment<br />
and then, because of the<br />
75 per cent drop-out rate<br />
of students before grade<br />
12, many of those government<br />
positions remain<br />
unfilled or occupied by<br />
people from the South.<br />
The land still dominates<br />
the psyche and<br />
lifestyle of Inuit and<br />
increasingly work is being<br />
derived from employment<br />
linked to the outdoors,<br />
jobs associated with wildlife,<br />
guiding, eco-tourism,<br />
transportation, food production,<br />
commercial fishing<br />
and the fur industry.<br />
What looms over the<br />
future is the question of<br />
mineral development.<br />
Canada’s North promises<br />
to offer up more minerals<br />
than any part of the globe.<br />
Gold, diamonds, coal,<br />
lead, zinc, silver, oil, gas,<br />
iron ore and uranium are<br />
all being actively mined<br />
or investigated and almost<br />
every mineral known to<br />
man is located in Nunavut.<br />
This raises concerns<br />
such as pollution from<br />
roads or uranium tailings<br />
and environmental damage<br />
related to the mines.<br />
However, as a result of the<br />
1993 Land Claims Agreement<br />
Inuit have the right<br />
to negotiate<br />
(Con’t on Page 9)
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9<br />
St. Agnes School, Halifax, won the <strong>2012</strong> Call To Remembrance finals held at the Bridgewater <strong>Legion</strong><br />
in May. Above, Provincial Call To Remembrance Co-Chairman Joe Murphy (left) and Chairman<br />
Roger Purnell (right) congratulate the winning team while Krista Locke, Regional Director General, Atlantic<br />
Region, Veterans Affairs Canada, presents the first place plaque to the St. Agnes coach. King’s-<br />
Edgehill School in Windsor took second place, Bridgewater school placed third and Eastern Passage<br />
fourth.<br />
Notes from Nunavut<br />
(Con’t from Page 8)<br />
with developers. They are not only getting jobs and<br />
training but are often getting a cut in the royalties. Like<br />
everything in life, it’s a question a balance, of preserving<br />
the environment while providing an income for people<br />
to feed their families.<br />
Right now, the Nunavut Government, like those in<br />
the NWT and the Yukon, is asking Ottawa for devolution<br />
powers, for control over its own resources to<br />
enable it to be less financially dependent on the central<br />
government. This is starting to happen in the Western<br />
Arctic, but the Nunavut government is still very inexperienced<br />
and Ottawa is hesitant to hand over further<br />
powers until the territorial government in Iqaluit can<br />
provide a more solid administrative track record.<br />
Global warming will likely wreak much damage<br />
on traditional Inuit dependency on the land. But it<br />
may also provide a different source of livelihood if the<br />
anticipated northern mining boom occurs and offers<br />
enough jobs to Inuit and if the Government of<br />
Nunavut can eventually persuade Ottawa to allow it<br />
access to the purse strings of mining royalties.<br />
‘The paid job’ will undoubtedly largely replace<br />
the original lifestyle of most Inuit, resulting in a new<br />
northern way of life, less dependent on hunting and<br />
fishing. But aspects of both the traditional enjoyment<br />
of the land and the need for wage employment may be<br />
a feasible future combination for Inuit that can help<br />
them survive in the modern world and yet retain their<br />
northern distinctiveness.<br />
Notes from Nunavut is a regular column providing<br />
background on Canada’s newest territory and its people. Nick<br />
Newbery is a teacher, author and photographer who spent 30<br />
years in the North and who recently retired to Nova Scotia.<br />
The photographs which accompany this article are drawn<br />
from three coffee table books he produced on the Eastern Arctic,<br />
all published by The <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Canadian</strong> <strong>Legion</strong>, Branch 168, in<br />
Iqaluit. www.iqaluitlegion.ca.<br />
North Sydney Branch 19 President Carl Wall stands with children of the North Sydney community<br />
who participated in the Queen’s Jubilee ceremony on June 2 held at the branch. Comrade Wall<br />
explained how they are going to lay a wreath in honour of the Queen. The North Sydney Branch 19<br />
Colour Guard assisted with the ceremony. The Branch’s celebration included a pancake breakfast, a<br />
bike rodeo, a parade and a Cenotaph ceremony followed by a dance.<br />
District Commander Ted Martens (right) presented<br />
WWII veteran Alcide Landry (left) and Korean<br />
War veteran Fred Martel with their 55-Year<br />
<strong>Legion</strong> Membership pins at Isle Madame Branch<br />
150’s Honours and Awards Dinner in March.
10 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F<br />
N O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2012</strong><br />
Zone and Branch newss<br />
Jon Van Zoost is shown receiving his 35-year<br />
pin from Habitant Branch 73 President Roy Lynk.<br />
Bradford Tupper receives his 50-year pin from<br />
Habitant Branch 73 President Roy Lynk.<br />
Jillian Taylor, Grade 4, Glooscap Elementary<br />
School, placed 1st in colour poster, junior poetry<br />
and junior essay in the 2011 Habitant Branch 73<br />
Poster/Literary Contest. Above, Jillian is shown<br />
with Branch President Roy Lynk.<br />
Calais Branch 162 awarded several $1,000<br />
bursaries to deserving Grade 12 graduates who<br />
are going on to further their education. Shown<br />
awarding a bursary to Millwood High School<br />
graduate, Andre Leblanc, is Branch 162 2nd Vice<br />
Roy Spencer.<br />
Shown presenting a $1,000 bursary to Millwood<br />
High School grad, Elizabeth Duffley, is<br />
Calais Branch 162 2nd Vice Roy Spencer.<br />
Millwood High School grad Sarah Nickerson<br />
proudly accepts a $1,000 bursary from Calais<br />
Branch 162 2nd Vice Roy Spencer.<br />
The recipient of this year’s Cadet Medal of<br />
Excellence, Naval Cadet CPO2 Jesse Grondin<br />
is shown here receiving his medal from Calais<br />
Branch 162 President Earnie Harrison.<br />
The monthly Flea Markets at Calais Branch 162<br />
go a long way in supporting the many charitable<br />
and non-profit organizations in the community.<br />
In addition to donating the proceeds<br />
of that month’s table rentals, door admissions,<br />
50/50 draw and coffee/tea free will offerings, it<br />
is an opportunity for the recipient organizations<br />
to gain exposure for their good works. Craig’s<br />
Cause (in support of Pancreatic Cancer Research)<br />
was a recent recipient of $701, raised at a recent<br />
Flea Market. Mona Lahey is shown accepting the<br />
cheque from PR/PRO Carol MacDonald, one of<br />
the Flea Market Coordinators.<br />
Calais Branch 162 won the right to the Travelling<br />
Gavel at the recent Zone Rally and Calais<br />
162 President Earnie Harrison was presented<br />
with the gavel at the June General Meeting by<br />
Zone Commander Bob Evans.
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2012</strong> T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F<br />
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Zone and Branch newss<br />
Zone 5 Commander Jim Boyd presents Christopher Melchin with an honourable<br />
mention award at the national level in the <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Canadian</strong> <strong>Legion</strong><br />
Remembrance Day Literary Contest. Looking on is Antigonish Branch 59<br />
contest co-ordinator Ron Fraser.<br />
Kentville Branch 6 President Basil Davidson (left) and Past President Don<br />
Job (right), visit Past President Emery Pothier at Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital<br />
in Middleton.<br />
Cobequid Community Health Centre Foundation is an integral part of the<br />
Lower Sackville and surrounding communities. Shown receiving a $13,500<br />
donation from Calais 162 President Earnie Harrison is Executive Director of<br />
the Foundation, Stacy Chapman and Board of Directors Chair, Steve Craig.<br />
(Top photo) Hants County Branch 9 President Richard Smith and the<br />
Chair of Poems and Essays, Howard Whattam, present Avon View High<br />
School student Jillian Adams with the first place award in the Senior Essay<br />
contest; (bottom) Richard Smith presents Natalie Rippy her first place<br />
award in the Intermediate Category for her Black and White Poster. Both<br />
girls have advanced to the Nationals which is in Ottawa.<br />
The newly formed Navy League of Canada Cadets were given a helping<br />
hand with their funding from Calais Branch 162. Shown receiving a donation<br />
of $3,000 are: (l to r) Navy League Cadets rep Adam Gavel and Sea<br />
Cadet Liaison Officer David Hawkins being presented by Branch President<br />
Earnie Harrison.
12 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F<br />
N O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2012</strong><br />
Zone and Branch newss<br />
Members of Calais Branch 162 Stitch’n’Bitch Club were presented with Certificates of Appreciation<br />
by LAC Dominion Convention Chair Dave Blanchard for crafting 1500 NS themed mementos for<br />
delegates attending the 44th Annual Dominion Convention. (l to r) Joanne Cunningham, Bev Martineau,<br />
Marie Purcell, Helen Butler, June Purcell, Sharon Bourgoine and Linda Burns.<br />
WestJet ticket raffle winner Sharon Strong accepts<br />
her prize from Command LAC Chairman<br />
David Blanchard. Proceeds from the ticket sales<br />
totaled $7000 and went towards the LAC Dominion<br />
Convention budget.<br />
On May 20, three new members were initiated to Arras Branch 59 in Antigonish.<br />
(Above l to r) Branch President Tom Connors with new members<br />
Anthony MacDonald, Cathy Young and Glenda Livingston, Membership<br />
Chairman Jim Boyd.<br />
The <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Canadian</strong> <strong>Legion</strong> Goldenaires Golf Tournament will be hosted<br />
by Kingston Branch 98 on August 16 and 17. The tournament is played at<br />
14 Wing Greenwood Golf and Country Club. Members 45 years and over<br />
are invited to enter a two-person team for a scramble format. Posters and<br />
entry forms have been mailed every branch in the Command. (Above l to r)<br />
Branch 98 participants last year’s tournament were (l to r) Glen Paul, Charlie<br />
Costin, Doug Carpenter and Scotty Cooper.<br />
New members are always welcome at Calais Branch 162 and four new<br />
members were sworn in at the May General Meeting. (l to r) Bradley<br />
Marchand, Vincent Mitchell, Dwayne Laviolette and George Gates.<br />
On May 8, the executive of Cambri Branch in Mulgrave were sworn in<br />
by Zone 5 Commander Jim Boyd. (Above l to r) Commander Boyd, 1st Vice<br />
and Sgt.-at-Arms Lorne MacDonald, Treasurer Tasha Welsh, President Keith<br />
MacDonald, Secretary Dianne Greencorn and District B Commander Sandra<br />
Ehler.
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2012</strong> T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F<br />
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13<br />
Zone and Branch newss<br />
( l to r) Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command President Jean Marie Deveaux,<br />
Veterans Outreach Chairman Steve Wessel accept a cheque for $2,5000<br />
from Branch 43 President Bill Charlton and Service Officer Sylvester MacInnis.<br />
Four Past Presidents of the Ladies Auxiliary of Dieppe Branch 90 cut the<br />
cake at the joint Honours and Awards banquet. (left to r) Comrades Arlene<br />
Frizzell, Joan Setterington, Gail Poirier and Gloria Ward.<br />
Branch 90 President Arlene Frizzell and Honors and Awards co-chair,<br />
Gloria Ward, present 100-year-old veteran Comrade David Miller with his<br />
50-year medal while certificates were presented by area Councillor Barry<br />
Dalrymple and MLA Percy Paris.<br />
At Branch 165 Honours and Awards on May 26, Lois Brown of the Mount<br />
Uniacke Swingsters accepted the Friendship Award from President Mabel<br />
McCarthy.<br />
Com. Denis Theriault receiving his Life Membership<br />
from Kingston Branch 98 President Brian<br />
MacDonald.<br />
LAC Dominion Convention <strong>2012</strong> Chairman<br />
Dave Blanchard (right) presents a Certificate of<br />
Appreciation to Calais Branch 162 for coming<br />
through with a scooter for a handicapped delegate<br />
to use at convention. Accepting the certificate<br />
is Comrade Earnie Harrison.<br />
Comrade Bette Thistle receives the Calais<br />
Branch 162 Volunteer of the Year for Lake District<br />
Recreation Association from Branch President<br />
Earnie Harrison.
14 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F<br />
N O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2012</strong><br />
Zone and Branch newss<br />
During the 219 <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Canadian</strong> Army Cadet Corps 98th annual review<br />
on May 12, New Glasgow Branch 34 Service Officer Glen Alexander presented<br />
the Best All Round Cadet award to MWO Jacob Goodwin.<br />
The 219 <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Canadian</strong> Army Cadet Corps held there 98th annual review<br />
on May 12. (Above l to r) Captain J Bentley ACO (Land) presented Perron<br />
Awards to MWO Joel Goodwin and WO Jennifer Wilcox explaining how<br />
this was an amazing accomplishment to receive one of these awards but to<br />
have both recipients in one Cadet Corp was a great achievement. Way to<br />
go 219 <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Canadian</strong> Army Cadet Corp.<br />
Dieppe Branch 90 awards night held<br />
During the annual Dieppe Branch 90 Honours<br />
and Awards banquet, the President’s Award was<br />
presented to Comrade Jim Brimicombe by President<br />
Arlene Frizzell.<br />
During the annual Dieppe Branch 90 Honours<br />
and Awards banquet, the <strong>Legion</strong>naire of the Year<br />
award was presented to Comrade Jean McCartney<br />
by District F Commander Jay Tofflemire.<br />
Looking on is MLA Percy Paris.<br />
Isle Madame Br. 150 President Donald Goyetche<br />
is shown presenting the <strong>Legion</strong> Medal of<br />
Excellence to CPO1 Stephen Samson of RCSCC<br />
235 Arrow at the Corps` 39th Annual Ceremonial<br />
Review on June 2. Branch 150 has sponsored<br />
the cadet corps since it started.
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2012</strong> T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F<br />
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15<br />
Zone and Branch newss<br />
District F Commander Jay Tofflemire presented<br />
a 45-year pin to Comrade Orville Murray during<br />
the Dieppe Branch 90 Honours and Awards<br />
banquet.<br />
During the 219 <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Canadian</strong> Army Cadet<br />
Corps 98th annual review on May 12, New Glasgow<br />
Branch 34 President John Desmond presented<br />
the <strong>Legion</strong> of Medal of Excellence to cadet<br />
MWO Joel Goodwin.<br />
During the Calais Branch 162 Volunteer<br />
Awards Dinner , Comrade Gail Rolston was honoured<br />
as the LA Volunteer of The Year. LA President<br />
Carol Leblanc (back) presented award.<br />
(Above l to r) St. Peters Branch 47 Membership Committee members Lillian<br />
Peeples, Beverly MacRae and Branch President Jackie Hopkins present<br />
William MacRae with his 40-Year Ordinary Service Pin.<br />
During the NS/NU Command Zone 5 Rally in March, Zone 5 Commander<br />
Jim Boyd (right) presents Guysborough Branch 61 President Bill Hemmings<br />
with a certificate recognizing achieving 100 per cent membership<br />
for 2011. Looking on are Deputy Zone 5 Commander John J.P. MacEachern<br />
and District B Commander Sanda Ehler.<br />
Shown here, accepting a donation of $796, (the proceeds of one of<br />
Branch 162’s monthly Flea Markets) from Branch President, Earnie Harrison<br />
and PR/PRO Carol MacDonald, is Sackville Bedford Special Olympics volunteer,<br />
Comrade Ray Ivany. The once monthly Sunday Flea Markets donate<br />
all the proceeds of the door admissions, table rentals and 50/50 draw to a<br />
different local charity or not-for-profit group each month and the community<br />
has been very supportive of the Flea Markets.<br />
During the New Glasgow Branch 34 General Meeting April, the 87 RC-<br />
SCC Admiral Murray Sea Cadets presented the sign from the HMSC New<br />
Glasgow (k320) to the New Glasgow <strong>Legion</strong>. The HMCS New Glasgow<br />
(k320) was a River Class frigate that served in the <strong>Royal</strong> <strong>Canadian</strong> Navy<br />
from 1943 to 1945 and as a Prestonian class frigate from 1955-1965.<br />
(Above l to r) Comrade Glen Alexander - President of the Admiral Murray<br />
Association; NCdt Patrick Sangster, Supply Officer; Lt(n) John Rogers<br />
CD, Commanding Officer 87 RCSCC Admiral Murray; CP02 Jenelle Walsh,<br />
training staff cadet; Branch 34 President John Desmond.
16<br />
T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F<br />
N O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D<br />
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2012</strong><br />
Zone and Branch newss<br />
( l to r) Branch 008 President Brian Bobbitt, Veterans Outreach Chairman Steve Wessel accepting a<br />
cheque for $1000 from Service Officer Betty Simpson while Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command President<br />
Jean Marie Deveaux and Zone 1 Commander Clifford MacIntyre look on.<br />
Kentville Kings Branch 6 Past President Don<br />
Job is shown escorting Kentville Princess MacKenzie<br />
Ellsworth at the Apple Blossom Festival<br />
Children’s Parade.