Fall 2009 - Royal Canadian Legion

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 N O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D Fall 2009As part of their 90th Anniversary celebrations in September, Hants Co. Branch 9 in Windsor unveiled a new mural (inset). Above, veteran Myron Phillipsand Windsor Mayor Paul Beazley join the artist, Kelly Mitchelmore, after the unveiling ceremony. (Glen Parker)Hants County Branch 9 celebrates 90th AnniversarySharon ThibeauChair, 90th Anniversary CommitteeWindsor, NS – Members, media representativesand the public attended a moving tribute to local Veteransas the Hants County Branch 9 commemorated its90th Anniversary.The branch was granted the Freedom of the Townand Municipality and a 90th Anniversary mural was unveiledas part of the day-long celebrations on Sept. 12.Ninety years ago as veterans returned home fromthe untold terrors of the Great War, they found solace,comradeship and support in the creation of the GreatWar Veterans Association Branch 9 which eventuallyevolved to become Hants County Branch 9 RoyalCanadian. Growing from 27 members in 1919 to closeto 1,000 today, the Hants County Branch 9 has beena crucial link for local Veterans carrying the torch ofremembrance in both service to Veterans and commemorativeactivities.Members of the Legion and the Ladies AuxiliaryThe mural, entitled Cadence, was commissionedby the branch following acompetitive process with local artists.have contributed much to the community, supportingorganizations such as the Navy League/Sea Cadets,Air Cadets, RCMP Stetson and Spurs and the VictoriaOrder of Nurses.“This is a historic time for the Legion that not onlycelebrates 90 years of those who have served but recognizesthe great contribution of the many volunteersfrom the branch and the Ladies Auxiliary,” said ConradGilbert, President of the Hants County Branch 9.The mural, entitled Cadence, was commissioned bythe branch following a competitive process with localartists. Kelly Mitchelmore, Windsor artist and businessownerwas chosen to create the three paneled muralthat tells a story of pride, dedication, and perseverancethat the Legion and its members have readily providedfor the past 90 years and will continue to provide inthe future. The images of veterans, community andcommemoration, convey the Legion’s commitment tocommunity, military service and country.“As an artist and a Canadian Forces Veteran, Cadencebecame a labour of love,” said Ms. Mitchelmore.“Being a part of a Legion is so much more thanbadges and ceremonies, it is about giving to the community,supporting our serving troops, and rememberingthose who have served our country. It’s aboutserving those who have served. Cadencecommemorates all those who have served, are servingand will serve their country and celebrates the HantsCounty Branch’s 90 years of being a part of it all.”The unveiling ceremony featured Windsor TownCrier Lloyd Smith and the Branch Legion Choir. ABBQ and concert followed with the CFB Greenwoodband, Route 66, and Darrell Meyers. All these eventswere open to the public for those 19 and over.Captain Angus L.MacdonaldBRANCH # 132P.O. BOX 239INVERNESS, NS B0E 1N0PHONE: (902) 258-3233br132invernessrcl@ns.sympatico.ca22752 2-12/5-7/7-29/10-2922429 2-12/5-7/7-29/10-29Royal Canadian Legion - StellartonBranch #28P.O. Box 2110Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0Phone: 902-755-1885For information or assistance contactElizabeth May, O.C.Leader of the Green Party of CanadaCandidate for Central NovaNew Glasgow Green Party Office902-695-4000121 George St., New Glasgow, NS B2H 2K7leader@greenparty.ca • www.elizabethmay.ca21481 2-12/5-7/7-29/10-2915986 2-14/5-7/7-

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 N O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D Fall 2009Branch 24 a great opening act - even for George CanyonGeorge is agreat supporterof our militaryboth past andpresentBy Dan HennesseyPR ChairmanMother Nature musthave known that theVeterans were being honouredbecause she gave usone of the nicest eveningsof the summer.Branch 24 in Bridgewaterheld a moving ceremonyto honour Veteransthat have returned homefrom conflicts starting atWWII and ending withour current mission inAfghanistan.The presentation beganwith the great soundsof the Bridgwater FireDepartment Band playinga rousing rendition of Inthe Mood followed by arecording of the periodsong from the 40s TillThen by the Mills Brothers.A young West Novieand his girl danced to thedelight of the thousandson hand.The sound of bagpipesand the BranchColour Party heralded theentrance of our incrediblegroup of men that overthe years have served theircountry when called uponand then returned hometo Lunenburg County.Bert Eagle, Frank Hammond,Ralph Hebb, MichaelCiz, Leon WhynotRev Ron Mosley, andPierre Allaine representedvets from WWII.Bob Henderson andCalvin Mayo representedthe Korean Conflict andthe Gulf War respectivelywith Ken Georgerepresenting the UnitedNations Peacekeepingrole that Canada has soproudly played.One of the highlightsof the evening wasMWO Tim Ramsey fromthe Airfield EngineeringGroup on hand as aproud representative ofhis unit and his sevenmonth tour of duty in wartorn Afghanistan.The crowd seem to enjoythe brief biographieson each member and thewords of praise by theinvited dignitaries, GaryRamey MLA LunenburgWest, Mayor Publicoverand Mayor Downe. It wasduring Mayor Downe’swords that an Aurorafrom 14 Wing Greenwooddid a low level passover the grounds to thedelight of the crowd.The crowd was veryinvolved with the eventand when a request fortwo minutes of silencefor those who have paidthe ultimate sacrifice wasrequested, there was not anoise to be heard.The event was heldjust prior to the GeorgeCanyon concert on Saturdayevening and Georgewho is a great supporterof our military both pastand present mingled withthe vets by the side of thestage and took a numberof digital pictures withhis own camera as well aschatting with the men.As the celebrationcame to an end the crowdstood and applauded asthe Veterans accompaniedby Sea and Army Cadetescorts left the stage butthere was one more pieceof business to attend toand that was to present aLegion cap with Branch24 pin to George Canyonwho jumped out on thestage and accepted theGeorge Canyon (above right) was a special guest at Branch 24 andhelped honour the veterans. The Canadian country and western singingstar made an appearance in support of the veterans prior to his Bridgewaterconcert.token with many thanksfor what we were doing toensure that the contributionmade by these andother members of theLegion and active militarywould never end.It is not every nightthat the Royal CanadianLegion can open for anact like George Canyonbut we did5 Facilities ServingNorthern Nova ScotiaRESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIESHighland Crest Home - Antigonish 863-3855High-Crest Home - New Glasgow 752-3461High-Crest Place - New Glasgow 755-9559NURSING HOMESHigh-Crest Sherbrooke 522-2147High-Crest Springhill 597-279722371 2-12/5-7/7-29/10-29High-Crest Enterprises Limited250 Main Street, AntigonishNS B2G 2C2Tel: (902) 863-2491E-mail: ThePeopleWhoCare@High-Crest.com21483 2-12/5-7/7-29/10-29

Fall 2009T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O FN O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D5Feature photoNATIONAL WINNERBranch 9 Poems and Esseys Chairman RichardSmith presents Stephanie Adams, 17, ofNewport, with a gift from the branch in recognitionof her national winning essay. Stephanieis on her way to Ottawa on November 9 toattend a luncheon with the Governor Generaland Prime Minister. Stephanie’s winning essaydeals with the sacrifices of war and why it’simportant to remember. It was chosen over100,000 other entries as the best essay submittedin the national contest. Stephanie is a studentat Avon View High School in Windsor andis the daughter of Jackie and Gary Adams. Sheis the great-granddaughter of a WWII veteranand the granddaughter of a military serviceman.Before winning nationally, Stephanie’sessay was judged regionally and then provincially.(Glen Parker)Command Service Officer’s ReportIntegrated Personnel Support Centre (IPSC)By Marc GauthierCommand Service OfficerVeterans Affairs Canada and the Department ofNational Defence remind us of the recent opening ofIntegrated Personnel Support Centres (IPSCs) acrossthe country.These IPSCs, one of which is located at CFB Stadacona,have for purpose to provide quick, easy andall “under the same roof ” assistance to any militarypersonnel seeking seamless and coordinated service asprovided by VAC, DND, Operational Stress Injury SocialSupport, Base Chaplain, Military Family ResourceCentre, and the Royal Canadian Legion.It is believed that for those releasing a more fluidtransition to VAC programs and services will be readilyavailable without requiring interested individuals in havingto travel all over town in order to contact the abovementioned groups of interest. Indeed, these groupshave offered to provide on-site service by havingrepresentatives actually hold a presence at the IPSC..Military personnel and their families seeking assistancewill now be able to obtain all services by going to oneof these IPSCs. As well, this service should also helpBy Jean Marie DeveauxHonours/Awards ChairpersonNew forms are out from Dominion Command forHonours/Awards.They have a place at the bottom for your ZoneCommanders signature. All Honours/Awards applicationsmust be signed by your Zone Commander. Pleasethrow away all old copies after you have photocopiedthe new forms.If you need help filling out a citation, please ask yourZone Commander or District Commander.Don’t forget - the only thing the committee has togo on is the written citation.Time spans and dates of legion service are essentialto the citation. It’s a shame that legionnaires are deniedan award because the citation is lacking. Please ask forhelp if you are having trouble.Please be aware that the dates for Honours/Awardsmeetings are sent to the branches in ample time for thebranch to have their submissions in. Please feel free tocontact any of the committee with questions or concerns.Committee members are: Jean Marie Deveaux-ill and injured CF members, Veterans and their familiesin accessing the care and support where and when theyneeded it. For this purpose IPSCs, which will regroupfull-time staff from VAC and DND, will have better,faster and easier access to information and services.Of interest, please note that our Command has beenasked to maintain a presence at the IPSC in Halifaxwith the participation of its Command Service Officerwho will make himself available at CFB Stadacona’s IntegratedPersonnel Support Centre on the last Thursdayof every month.It should be noted that all key players are very hopefulthat these Joint Personnel Support Units (JPSU) andtheir IPSUs, will succeed in improving the coordinationand facilitation of the delivery of standardized, highquality, seamless consistent care while wounded, injuredand ill CF members reintegrate into military or civilianlife and employment.Anyone wishing for more information includingformal briefing and presentations at their Branch is requestedto contact Mr.Fred Rideout, Outreach Coordinator,IPSC, at 902-721-1047 or email him at Frederick.Rideout@forces.gc.caNew Honours/Awards forms now availableChairperson, Ted Martens-Member, Ron Trowsdale-Member, Dave Blanchard-Member.Yours in comradship...Branch 59 RenovationsBy PRO Jim BoydOver the past few weeks much of the renovatingand repairs have been carried out.All the brickwork has been refaced and treated aswell as new electronic lighting installed which makesour building much brighter and will reduce powercosts.More work is scheduled for the upcoming weeksincluding new energy efficient windows, ceiling tiles,central air, washroom upgrades, paint interior andexterior and office space for the cadets.This will complete this phase, as we move forwardwe hope to attract more business and boost ourmembership numbersRoyal Canadian LegionSydney Branch 1226160 10-29101 DORCHESTERSTREETSYDNEY, NSB1P 5Z2PHONE: 902-539-9745Certified Hearing Instrument Specialistsand TwoOn-Staff AudiologistsCovering All YourHearing Needs!DVA Taps Cards - WCB Services ProviderWe run monthly clinics in your area!Call 1-877-742-5141 for dates and locations.BELTONE BATTERIES - YOUR BEST CHOICE - YOUR BEST VALUE!22430 2-12/5-7/7-29/10-2921487 2-12/5-7/7-29/10-29

6 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O FN O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N DFall 2009Jack Hatcher, chairman of the Lotto SweepCommittee at Nova Scotia/Nunavut CommandCommand presents Lotto winner ValerieSievert with $1,000 plus $100 seller’s prizewhile Calais Branch 162 President, Rita Connorslooks on.A very special birthday party at Br. 24Dan HennesseyPR ChairmanBranch 24 BridgewaterReaching the fineage of 90 is of course atremendous feat but moreand more of us are extendingour time here onMother Earth but Branch24 hosted a celebration onSeptember 13 for Rev. Dr.Ron Mosley who on thatday turned 90.To say this was a celebrationof his birthdaywould be an understatementas this was a celebrationof a life filled withadventure, dedication andpromise.Rev. Mosley has hada full 90 years and to tryand condense his life intoa short biography to deliverto those many in attendancewas like trying tocondense the novel Warand Peace into a shortstory format. If you haveever thought about tryingsomething in your life youmight want to check withRev. Mosley because hehas probably already doneit and can let you knowwhat to expect.The large crowd thathad gathered was entertainedby the wonderfulmusical talents of JoanBeattie on her new pianoand we even had a fewstories from ComradeRalph Hebb along with asong from Brice Oakes.The official presentationswere kicked off bythe great pipe music ofthe Legions piper RonLeBlanc.Rev. Mosley receivedcertificates from ThePrime Minister, MP GeraldKeddy, the Municipalityof the District ofLunenburg along withthe Town of Bridgewaterand the Province ofNova Scotia. Rev. Mosleywas very emotional whenhe was presented with aplaque that was sent tohim by the 106th InfantryDivision Association. Thisplaque touched on theirpraise for his service bothphysical and spiritual, tothe men of the 106th InfantryDivision for which26147 10-29#26147Michelin2X5Branch 24 President Sonny Hubley (right) presentsRev. Ron Mosley with a Certificate of Meritduring his birthday celebration.he served with distinctionas a combat chaplainduring World War II. Itwas while serving withthis division he sustainedwounds during the Germanoffensive known asthe Battle of the Bulge inDecember 1944 and forwhich he was awardedthe Purple Heart. Thisbrought back memoriesof comrades long sincegone and who had paidthe ultimate sacrifice forour freedom.Once the presentationshad finished the need fora birthday cake was obviousand the crowd wasonce again led by piperRon LeBlanc in the singingof Happy Birthdayand the cake was cut.Rev. Mosley had familysitting at his headtable. They came frommany different locationsthroughout Canada andthe United States andeach of them could easilysee the admiration that weat Branch 24 have for thisgreat man.Rev. Mosley shows nosign of slowing down andthrives in his role as HonoraryChaplain at Branch24. He participates inmany of the ongoingcelebrations held throughoutthe year and I am sureif there is a Legion eventyou will be most likely tohear the strong confidentsounds of our own Rev.Dr. Ron Mosley.

Fall 2009T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O FN O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D7Veterans’ Ombudsman regularly visits homeless sheltersBy P.B. StogranColonel (retired)Veterans’ OmbudsmanIn order to raise awarenessof homeless Veteransand to encourage VeteransAffairs Canada (VAC)to learn more about howhomelessness impactsVeterans, I regularly visithomeless shelters to meetwith the Veterans and thestaff in shelters throughoutthe country. One ofthese recent visits had aprofound effect on me bydriving home to me whatthe Office of the VeteransOmbudsman is all about,and helping me realizewhy I took the job of VeteransOmbudsman in thefirst place. I would like toshare this experience withyou.In this recent homelessshelter visit, I met a Veteranwho served in Italywith the Regiment thatI am so proud to havealso served in - PrincessPatricia Canadian LightInfantry (PPCLI). Agentleman had appearedat the shelter for his dailymeal and was sadly a wellknown patron of theshelter for a number ofyears. When I introducedmyself to him he wasquite hostile towards me,and did not hesitate totell me that he had fought“DVA” for over twentyyears for benefits that hethought he may have beenentitled to. It was clearto me that the years onthe streets had taken theirtoll on this gentleman andthat I was going to havesome difficulty impartingon him that my job as theVeterans Ombudsmanwas to make it easier forVeterans like him to getthe benefits they deserve.It did not seem like Iwas making any progresswith this gentleman until Iasked him about his militarybackground. Thegentleman then told meabout his service in Italyduring the war, and wemanaged to find commonground that broke downsome of the barriersbetween us. This commonground also enabledme to ascertain that hewas in fact a Veteran.The discussion about ourshared Regiment’s historyand characters (that Ihave had the privilege ofmeeting as a very youngofficer) eased the tensionbetween us.The conversation withthis gentleman lasted foralmost an hour and driftedfrom his recollectionsof the war, to what he hasdone in the years since,to his experiences withVeterans Affairs Canada.This latter subject was atouchy one that I darednot delve too deeply into.Unfortunately, he did notagree to or wish to haveVAC contacted on hisbehalf.Our conversation wasbeginning to wane atabout the same time thatthe meal line was about toclose down, which madefor an appropriate pointin time for us to say ourgood-byes. A memberof my team volunteeredto escort the gentlemanback to the meal line, andwhen she returned therewere tears in her eyes.On the walk back intothe shelter, this homelessVeteran expressed that hehoped that the time hespent with the VeteransOmbudsman would helpmake life a little easier forMembers of the Ombudsmen Advisory Committee: (back l to r) Charlie Belzile, Lorne Hall, JohnGordham, Tom White, Larry Murray, Brian Forbes, Pat Shagran, Barb Grimster, Louis Richard, TomWalker; (front l to r) Al Dequetteville, Fred Mombourquet, Claudia Schibler, Bruce Ferguson, GordonStrathy.some of the other guysout there. My staffer wastouched by the Veteran’sselflessness - as was I.The comments of thisVeteran reminded me of amotto my Regimental SergeantMajor (RSM) usedto preach to the troopswhen I was in the PPCLI,“Mission, Buddy, Self ” orMBS.Clearly, this Veteran setaside his personal reservationsand any inconveniencemy visit may havecaused him in order tohelp make things betterfor his comrades. Indeed,he almost missed the mealthe shelter was servingthat day to talk with us!This experience showedme how the motto, “Mission,Buddy, Self ” liveson in so many Veteranslong after they have hungup their spurs and stowedtheir rifles. This onlyhas to be witnessed bythe countless number ofVeterans who volunteertheir services to the manyassociations and organizationsthat look out forthe interests and lobbyfor the needs of theirfellow Veterans. The listof accomplishments ofthese selfless Veterans isfar too long to capture, asare the personal sacrificesthat Veterans continueto make long after theiruniformed service to theirCountry is little more thana passing reference in ahistory book.I have personally metwith many Veterans battlingthe demons of OperationalStress Injuries(OSIs) that are still able tohelp fellow Veterans despitetheir own hardships.I have also met Veteranswho cope with severephysical disabilities yetdo not back down fromwalking an “extra mile”to improve conditions fortheir fellow Veterans.This is all amazing tome given the era of selfpromotion.We live in atime with a plethora ofreality and awards showson television, the manysocial networking tools(e.g. Facebook, Twitteretc.) that promote theminutiae of everyday life,and with a pre-occupationwith being seen and aneed to take credit thatso many people seem tohave these days. TheseVeterans provide a starkcontrast to this with theirpreference to keep a lowprofile and maintain theiranonymity. This can becounter-productive whenyou have my job to tryto make decision-makersimprove conditions forVeterans. That being said,this is the way they wantto live their lives and Irespect that. In fact, theseVeterans are my heroes.It was my own engrainedsense of “Mission,Buddy, Self ” thatcompelled me to applyfor the job of VeteransOmbudsman and takeoff my uniform without amoment’s hesitation. Mydesire to give back to theloyal Canadians I servedwith, those who went beforeme, and those amazingpeople who continueto serve is what drivesme every moment that Iserve as Canada’s VeteransOmbudsman.I know people may befrustrated that the Officewas not established witha budget and the authorityto right all of the“wrongs” of VeteransAffairs Canada. Firstly,that is not what an Ombudsmandoes and, secondly,by righting all the“wrongs” we would likelyalso become part of theproblem. I am quite comfortablewith my mandate,which is to hold accountablethe people and institutionsthat are chargedwith the fair treatmentof our Veterans, and tolook after those who haveserved our Country andare in need of the assistanceof a grateful nation.It has been a hard fight toget the Office to wherewe are today and I knowthere are going to beContinued on Page 9The Royal Canadian LegionAllan MacDonald MemorialBranch #015 - New WaterfordServing the Veterans and Community of New Waterfordand Area and BeyondCivic Address: 3472 Plummer Ave, New WaterfordMail Address: PO Box 110, New Waterford, NS B1H 4K4Phone: 902-862-3367Open Mon. thru Sat. at 12:00 noon Sun at 1:00 p.m.23593 5-7/7-29-10-29/2-11Royal Canadian LegionAshby Branch 138Serving Our Veterans and Our CommunityCivic35 StateStreetSydney, NSPostalPO Box 1223Sydney, NSB1P 6J9PhoneOffice: 562-4994Club: 539-911122376 2-12/5-7/7-29/10-29Royal Canadian LegionKings Branch 6P.O. Box 552Kentville, Nova ScotiaB4V 3X7902-678-893521485 2-12/5-7/7-29

8 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F N O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D Fall 2009Around the....... IslandBy Jean Marie DeveauxRain and humidity haveplagued Cape Breton thissummer, my part of itanyway.That has never stoppedus yet. On July 23 we happilydrove to the AngusL. Macdonald Branch 132in Inverness. It was their60th anniversary. Pipesand drums serenaded usto the refurbished monumentwhich has beenmoved to the high school.After the unveiling, adelightful social was heldat the branch. PresidentGordon Gillis was ourhost for the afternoonwhere he presented awooden carving done byhim of all the veteransfrom Inverness Countywho gave the supremesacrifice in WW11.On August 29, I hadthe privilege of attendingthe dedication of therefurbishing of the RiverBourgeois monument.This was an enormoustask taken on by the communityunder the chairmanshipof Don Pottieand his committee. Thecenotaph was sinking ina bog and the land hadto be drained and filled.Countless man hourswent into the project.Nova Scotia LieutenantGovernor Mayann Francisand I had the honour ofunveiling the new cenotaphfor the hundreds inattendance. Sea, Air andArmy cadets from thelocal area were in attendancealong with veteransand family members ofthose who made the supremesacrifice. Wreathsand roses were laid inmemorial. A receptionwas held at the TerralynnTousenard CommunityCentre. The driving raindid not deter anyone fromthe cenotaph for such animportant occasion.I was particularlyimpressed with the stoneblocks directly behind thecenotaph. Each block representedWW1, WW11,Korea, Peacekeeping,Persian Gulf and Afghanistan.Directly behindthis wall are two beautifulred maple trees. Veryfitting indeed. It’s worththe detour to get off thehighway and take a look.Early September I went“off island” to our Honours/Awardsmeetings.While there, we had thegood fortune to be able totake Past District CommanderBetty Simpsonout to supper. Betty wasin the city receiving treatment.We were so happyto see her and see that hertreatment was going well.Our prayers for a goodoutcome to Betty and herfamily.Still “off island” Idetoured to Windsor fortheir 90th anniversarycelebrations. I was givena warm welcome at thebranch and felt like I washome. Legion people arewonderful aren’t they? Ihad a grand time and wasamazed at the beautifulmural painted by theirvery talented artist inresidence. I won’t say anymore about that as oureditor Glen Parker is doingthat particular story.Back home, it was adelight as always to attendthe Honours/Awardsbanquet at Port MorienBanch 55. The hall wasfilled with members andguests. The members oftheir Ladies Auxiliarywere honoured for theircontribution over theyears with plaques of appreciationand beautifulbouquets of roses. Thesewomen are to be congratulatedfor the countlesshours and hard work theydevoted to this branch.Without them, there maynot have been a branchfor long.Branch 43 is in themiddle of extensiverenovations. Our mainhall became much biggerover the past few months.We have two wonderfulcarpenters who are doingan excellent job. They, aswell as the plumbers andelectricians are mostlyAbove, carpentersEddy Malcolm andBuddy Burns hard atwork on renovations toBranch 43.very talented branchmembers. I can’t wait tosee the finished product.Everyone is now in theprocess of getting readyfor Remembrance week.It will be busy for the nextwhile.My best to all our shutinsand good luck with allthe Poppy Campaigns.2nd. Vice Ron Trowsdale and Past DistrictCommander Betty Simpson enjoy a talk aftersupper.( l to r) Dominion Commander Wilf Edmond; Cape Breton District ACommander Ted Martens; 1st Vice President , Nova Scotia/Nunavut CommandJean Marie Deveaux; Branch 55 President Francie Thomas at theHonours/Awards night at Branch 55.Lt. Governor MayannFrancis and 1st.Vice President JeanMarie Deveaux unveilthe monument.Royal Canadian Legion - ChedabuctoBranch #461131 Union St. (Downstairs Entrance)Canso, NS B0H 1H0Phone: 902-366-296022373 2-12/5-7/7-29/10-29Royal Canadian LegionSomme Branch 3154 King StreetDartmouth, NS B2Y 3Y2Phone: (902) 463-105021489 2-12/5-7/7-29/10-29

Fall 2009T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O FN O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D9Lotto Draw winnersThe Lotto Sweep Winners Final Draw wasmade on Sept. 11, 2009 with the followingresults: $10,000 winner was Douglas Moore ofClementsport Br. 122, D. Moore seller; $5,000winner was Janice Grady of Eastern Marine Br.161, Janice Grady seller; $4,000 winner wasStan Mayfield of Saclville Br. 162, Stanley Mayfieldseller; $3,000 winner was Louis Cyr ofPictou Br. 16, Louis Cyr seller; $2,000 winnerwas George Clayton of Fairview Br. 142, GeorgeClayton seller; $1,000 winner was ValerieSievert of Sackville Br. 162, Valerie Sievert seller;$500 winner was Earl Smith of Fairview Br. 142,Earl Smith seller. Above, 1st Vice President JeanMarie Deveaux is shown doing the honours.Dan HennesseyPR ChairmanBranch 24By definition a veteranis “an old soldier of longservice or former memberof armed forces” but todaya veteran can be manythings.We have such an amazingrange of veterans atBranch 24 in Bridgewater.Of course we have ourvery active World War IIveterans that we are allso very proud of. Theirability to lighten a roomby just merely walking inis second to none or whenthey are in the publiceye and remain humbleservants to this day to thepeople who are incrediblyin their dept.One such WW IIVeteran told me that afterthe Legion Tribute at thisyear’s South Shore Exhibition,as he was walking towardsthe shuttle, he wasstopped at least 40 timesand his hand was shakenand he was thanked forwhat he had done for hiscountry.We also have a greatgroup of modern dayVeterans spanning theKorean War, Gulf Warand UN PeacekeepingContinued from Page 7many hard fights ahead in convincing the “powers-thatbe”to make the needed changes to follow up on commitmentsmade. I joined the infantry because I enjoya good fight, especially fights for a worthy cause, andI get the benefit of both in being your Ombudsman.In the words of another Canadian infantry regiment, Ipledge to “Never Pass a Fault”.Since I became Veterans Ombudsman a little over ayear-and-a-half ago literally thousands of people havecontacted the Office, and we have mediated the resolutionof hundreds of issues that did not require changespolicy, regulations or legislation. By the time this articleis published we will have released our first formalreport, “Serve with Honour, Depart with Dignity”,an administrative review of Veterans Affairs Canada’sFuneral and Burials Assistance program. The Officewill also release, “Securing the Start Line: An Introductionto Your Veterans Ombudsman” – a report outliningthe progress in our first year of operations and myassessment of the challenges we faced. All that to say,the Office is moving forward on as many fronts as weWhat is a VeteranVeteran’s Memorial Parkdeployments. It is hardto believe that whengrowing up many of thethings that these men andwomen experienced wewatched on television.The Cold War brought aconstant threat of nuclearwar and drills that wentwith trying to be prepared.As a teenager mywar was Vietnam and wasin our living rooms on ourtelevisions.Today’s youth is facedwith wars of their own.The first Gulf War andnow the war in Afghanistanis a very real partof their lives. We here inBridgewater are close tothis war with a number ofour troops from the AirfieldEngineering Groupdeployed for an extendedperiod of time. War is notsomething that anyone inthe service of their countrywants but it is a realpart of our history.Canada experienced acoming of age with battlessuch as Vimy Ridge,Juno Beach and the KapyongRiver in Korea. Thesewere events in time thatshowed the world that theCanadians were proud oftheir military heritage andwould stand next to anyVeterans’ Ombudsman: Mission - Buddy - Selfcountry in the defence offreedom. Whether it wason a submarine workingthe blockade of Cubaduring the Cuban MissileCrises or high in Canada’sfar North watching theSoviet bombers test ourearly warning system,these veterans have seenincredible events unfoldbefore their very eyes.Some of these Veteransto this day holdknowledge that they areby law still not permittedto talk about for reasonsof National Security. Itis not hard to believethat with these thoughtsjust walking into Branch24 or any Branch of theRoyal Canadian Legionyou will come face to facewith our great countrieshistory.Our Veterans shouldbe honoured, revered andheld to a higher standardas they have risked it allon our behalf and nowjust want to get on withtheir lives. This is thecredo of the CanadianVeteran, “I have servedmy country with honourand will never forgetthose who have paid theultimate sacrifice, we willremember them.”can to ensure that the Government is doing everythingpossible to ensure the fair treatment of and respect forVeterans and their families.If anybody feels our Veterans are being treated unfairlyor would like to suggest areas where the servicesand benefits to our Veterans should be improved,please contact the Office of the Veterans Ombudsmanat 1-877-330-4343 or info@ombudsman-veterans.gc.ca.To find out more about the Office of the VeteransOmbudsman, visit our website: http://www.ombudsmanveterans.gc.ca/Breton Branch 8Sydney Mines, NS“The Friendly Branch”736-3206Friday “Haddock Supper”, 4 - 7 p.m.Friday “Wing Night”, 7 - 9 p.m.Sunday Afternoons Entertainment, 3 - 6 p.m.22609 2-12/5-7/7-29/10-29Royal Canadian LegionBranch #120Four Harbours, 15463 Highway# 7East Ship HarbourPhone: (902) 772-295922606 2-12/5-7/7-29/10-29Earl Francis SpryfieldMemorial Branch # 152P.O. Box 20112Spryfield, NS B3R 2L1Phone: (902) 477-046722404 2-12/5-7/7-29/10-29

10 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O FN O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D Fall 2009Notes from NunavutAbandoned RCMP post, Devon Island.26167 10-29Part 4: The PoliceThe Coming of Outsiders tothe Eastern Arcticby Nick NewberyThe arrival of the RCMP in theNorth was one of the final blows to Inuitindependence. Before the coming ofnon-natives to the Eastern Arctic, Inuithad had their own set of beliefs, taboosand rules. These largely controlled howthe people behaved and were supportedby the shamans and elders. This changedhowever, at the start of the 20th century,when the Canadian government becameworried that other countries might claimparts of the Arctic for themselves andit began to establish police posts in theNorth to assert Canadian sovereignty.The Canadian police were not invited byInuit. The government in Ottawa hadsimply decided that the Inuit homelandwas to be part of Canada and informedInuit that they had to follow Canadianlaws.The first police posts in Nunavutwere set up in 1903, with the real pushcoming in the 1920’s. The Mountieswere expected to visit the Inuit camps,do census-taking, provide basic medicalsupport when needed, deliver mail, carryout custom and excise duties and assetCanadian sovereignty by their presenceas Canadian government officials. Theyreported to Ottawa on what they foundand, when they thought it necessary,made arrests for what they considered tobe crimes under Canadian law. From thattime on the southern system of law andorder, with its police, jails, courts, lawyersand judges, was gradually imposedon Inuit. The small police detachmentswere no palaces. They consisted of afew wooden buildings, re-supplied oncea year by ship, often run by two officerswho, although supposedly the long armof the law were, in reality, two inexperiencedyoung men, helpless withoutthe protection of a local Inuit familyhired to help them to visit the campsand impose Canadian supervision on apeople who had not invited them. It wasdecidedly a cheap and precarious wayof laying claim to such a huge tract ofland that belonged to another group ofpeople!However, in 1942, when the UnitedStates Air Force built a large airbaseat Frobisher Bay as part of the wareffort, the RCMP set up its EasternArctic headquarters alongside. Patrolscontinued and contact with Inuit wasmaintained. Sometimes this arrangementcould be helpful but because Ottawanever consulted with native people asequals in those days, there were timeswhen cultural differences andContinued on Page 11

Fall 2009T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O FN O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D11The high school Inuksuk Inuit Drum-Dancers practice Inuktitut songsprior to the book launch. (Michel Albert)Branch No.168 launches third edition of book on IqaluitThe Iqaluit branchof the Royal CanadianLegion does much forits community by way ofsupporting hockey teams,the regional hospital, thelocal cadet squadron, theelders, Iqaluit youth andinnumerable other causes.Since 1995 it has alsobeen a promoter ofIqaluit by way of a trilingualcoffee table book(in Inuktitut, French andEnglish) which outlinesthe history of the communitycoupled with photographsthat reflect everyNotes From NunavutContinued from Page 10contrasting methods of social control led to misunderstandingsbetween Inuit and police. One famousexample, which is still under investigation today, is ofthe many stories of police officers shooting Inuit sleddogs in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Some say it wasto prevent loose packs of dogs being a threat to peopleand children; others feel it was to curb the spread ofdisease which eventually wiped out about 80 per centof the dog population. But whatever the reason, manyInuit claim they were unfairly deprived of their mainmeans of transportation and consequently were unableto hunt properly for their families. It certainly reinforcedthe growing feeling among Inuit that they weregradually becoming colonised in their own land.Notes from Nunavut is a regular column providingbackground on Canada’s newest territory and its people. NickNewbery is a teacher, author and photographer who spent 30years in the North and who recently retired to Nova Scotia.The photographs which accompany this article are drawn fromcoffee table books he produced on the Eastern Arctic, publishedby The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 168, in Iqaluit.aspect of northern life.On October 6, Branch168 released its thirdedition of this Canadianbest-seller to a packedhouse at the Elders’Centre in Iqaluit. AdamChubb and other membersof the Executive representedthe Legion, alongwith Nick Newbery, theauthor and photographer.Copies were presented tothe Mayor of Iqaluit, tothe three local MLAs, tothe elders and to otherswho had helped with thebook. There was a largemedia turn-out in bothInuktitut and English.Later in the day Mr. Newberydid book signings atthe two larger stores intown.The Legion backs thispublication as a communityservice to promote itshome town.The first edition wasAuthor Nick Newbery presents a copy to Eliyah and Annie Nauyuk,whose picture features on the book’s cover. (Michel Albert)released in 1995 to promoteIqaluit in its bid tobecome Nunavut’s capitalto-be.A second editionwas issued in 1999 tocelebrate the creation ofthe new territory of Nunavut.With this editionalmost sold out, a thirdupdate was commissionedto celebrate the tenth anniversaryof the birth ofNunavut.The book is a short,comprehensive photo essayon Iqaluit and the territoryit represents as capital.It includes pictures ofthe land, traditional life,the capital, the communities,typical activities,hunting, the animals, theflowers and some of theunique sights to be seenNorth of Sixty.Priced at $45 it isavailable from NortextMultimedia at 1-800-263-1452 ext.132.Adam Chubb, MC and RCL executive member,presenting the first copy to Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik.(Michel Albert)22428 2-12/5-7/7-29/10-29

12 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O FN O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D Fall 2009Memories of 1980 helicopter crash victims live onSubmitted bySteve Wessel, P.R.Chairman andArt Riley, Webmaster.On October 15, 1980,news reached 424 Squadronthat a Hercules 312of 436 Squadron hadcrashed and eight of the10 members of the crewhad perished. Three ofthe crew that perishedwere from 424 Squadron;Sgt. Ron O’Neill, Cpl.Wade Fisher and Cpl.Dick Cocks, all SAR technicians.The aircraft had beeninvolved in a search commencingon October 14for a Bell 206 helicopterflying from a bush campto Matagami, Quebec.When the helicopter didnot reach its destinationon schedule, the Herculesand a Twin Hueywere despatched to thesearch area. The Herculeshad been attempting toexamine an object on theground when it crashed40 miles west of Chibougamu.The Squadron’s TwinHuey was the first on thescene of the accident andtook the two survivorsto the hospital in Chibougamau.The missingBell helicopter was foundtwo weeks later 15 milessouth of its departurepoint with both occupantsdead.It is at moments likethis we should recall theOath of Allegiance takenduring the ceremony ofswearing-in to the CanadianForces, of the heavyand challenging obligationto protect Canada and itscitizens, with one’s lifeif need be. Those thatperished that day did notAbove (l to r) Steve Gledhill, Tony Isaacs, Jim Atkins, Chris’s wife Debbie, and Capt (Ret’d) Chris Healey gather at the Maryvalegravesite near Antigonish.die in the heat of battlebut they gave their lives inthe performance of thedemanding and necessaryduty of search and rescue;a duty which not onlyforms an integral part ofour military tasking, but isa humanitarian service ofthe highest order.The sacrifice, therefore,of Capt. Salmons, Capt.Kavanagh, MCpl. Woodham,MCpl. Taylor, Pte.Minnis, Sgt. O’Neill, Cpl.Fisher and Cpl. Cocksmust not be seen as beingin vain. We shall rememberthem with the pridethat they so richly deserve.During the past year anentry in the NSNU WebsiteGuest Book asked forassistance in locating thegravesite of one of thevictims, Cpl. Wade Fisher.Fisher had been buried“somewhere near Antigonish.”All the informationavailable was thatmembers of the squadronhad landed in a helicopterin a field and were transportedto the gravesite byvehicles. They had saidtheir goodbyes and left inthe same transport.Twenty-nine yearslater they wished to paytheir respects. Our NovaScotia/Nunavut Commandwebmaster, ArtRiley, President of PortHawkesbury Legion 43,lives in the area and wasable to research the detailsand find the gravesite inMaryvale, a small hamlet20 minutes from Antigonish.Several months later,in August of this year,four ex-service memberswere able to once againpay their respects to theirlost comrade.“It is with great pridethat I was able to helpthese gentlemen find theircomrade after all theseyears and it further showsthat the guest book sideof the Command Websitedoes work,” Comrade ArtRiley said.The Officers, staffand members of NS/NUCommand would like tothank Comrade Riley forgoing the extra mile insupport of our websitereaders, our membersand our service men andwomen, past and present.Thanks Art.

Fall 2009T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O FN O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D13David Andrews2009 PilgrimageRepresentativeStewiacke, Branch 70How do I begin?I suppose I could startback in the fall of 2008when I decided to applyfor this pilgrimage.It did not take muchto convince me that thiscould be the opportunityof a lifetime, so I acquiredthe proper forms andquickly filled them outand sent them to Command.After a fair period ofwaiting for the decisionfrom the Committee, IEuropean pilgrimage was the “highlight of my life”was truly excited when theword came that I wouldbe going on the pilgrimageas Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command’s representative.The thoughtsof what was ahead for mehad my head spinning attimes. To be able to visitthe battlefields, memorialsand cemeteries throughoutFrance, Belgium andHolland would be a dreamcome true.Once I received thematerial on the trip,including the schedule ofeverywhere we would bestopping, it became abundantlyclear that thereSouth Shore legionnaires honour the Devil’s BrigadeDan HennesseyPR ChairmanBranch 24 BridgewaterEven the impending threat of Hurricane Bill loomingoff the coast could not keep a group of Legionnairesfrom the South Shore travelling to Halifax totake part in the wreath laying ceremony to honour theworld famous 1st Special Service Force (better knownas the Devils Brigade) who were in Halifax to hold their63rd Annual Reunion.The 1st Special Service Force was activated on July20, 1942 as a joint Canadian-U.S. force of three smallregiments and a service battalion. Fort William HenryHarrison in Helena, Montana was chosen as the primarytraining location, due to its flat terrain for airbornetraining and its close proximity to mountains for skiand winter training Following its initial training periodin Montana, the 1st SSF relocated to Camp Bradford,Vermont, on April 15, 1943, and to Fort Ethan Allen,Vermont, on May 23, 1943. On July 4, 1943, it arrivedat the San Francisco Port of Embarkation.It was at Anzio that the Germans dubbed the 1stSpecial Service Force the “Black Devils.” The diaryof a dead German soldier contained a passage thatsaid, “The black devils (Die schwarzen Teufel) are allaround us every time we come into the line. The soldierwas referring to them as “black” because the brigade’smembers smeared their faces with black boot polish fortheir covert operations in the dark of the night. DuringAnzio, the 1st SSF fought for 99 days without relief.It was also at Anzio that the 1st SSF used their trademarkstickers; during night patrols soldiers would carrystickers depicting the unit patch and a slogan writtenwould more to this than Ihad imagined. There werealso more forms to fillout for Dominion Commandand our tour leader.Among them was one forspecial requests. I filledthis one out requestingto be the wreath layer atBeny-Sur-Mer Cemeteryduring our service there.My Great Uncle Kennethand three other men frommy community are buriedthere.In less than a week Ihad received an e-mailfrom Dominion Commandwith pictures ofUncle Ken attached. Thesecond e-mail was fromour tour leader, JohnGoheen, informing methat he had done someresearch on my uncleand believed that he hadfound the area that he hadbeen killed in. He alsoinformed me that this sitewas on our schedule ofstops.So imagine how I wasfeeling when I realizedthat not only would I beat he landing site of theNorth Nova Scotia Highlanders,but I would befollowing his trail inlandto where he eventuallydied at Hell’s Corner. TheThe diary of a dead German soldiercontained a passage that said, “Theblack devils (Die schwarzen Teufel) areall around us every time we come intothe line.in German: “Das dicke Ende kommt noch,” said totranslate to “The Worst is yet to Come”, placing thesestickers on German corpses and fortifications.To look into the eyes of these men today , one canonly imagine how the memories of those days stilllinger in the recess of their minds. While many ofthe folks there to watch the event mingled , an air ofexcitement could be felt as the bus carrying the survivingmembers pulled to the curb at Grand Paradein Halifax. While they were exiting the bus the firstnoticeable thing was their uniforms , as each man hadtheir medals, ribbons and insignias proudly displayedand of course the famous symbol that would representthe unit, the Red Spearhead shoulder patch, which borethe words USA and Canada. Just to be in their presencewas an honour and even in their mid 80s and 90s, youcould still see signs of that unit’s cohesiveness by theribbing that was taking place between the membersThere were representatives from both the US andCanadian military in attendance and when someonefrom the crowd would come up and ask what it wasfor and heard the name the Devil’s Brigade, whetherit was from their history books or the Hollywoodfollowing day I would belaying the wreath at theBeny-Sur-Mer Cenotaphand visiting his grave.I was sure that after thefirst two days, of followingUncle Ken’s part ofthe war, that the rest ofthe trip would be a loteasier for me. I was sowrong.As the tour continuedfrom one site to another,I found myself wonderingif anyone couldcome here and not feelthe emotions that I wasfeeling. At one battlefieldafter another John gaveus the picture of whathad happened there. Thisincluded maps and somephotographs of thesesites. To actually be standingwhere so many gavetheir all for us becamequite emotional on a dailybasis.As I sit here typing thisup, I realize that each ofthe thirty-two people onthe tour had a connectionother than being LegionMembers. At almost everystop there was someoneamong our group thathad a personal connectionwith the battle or cemetery.Tears were aContinued on Page 14movie , many stayed to pay their respects The actualwreath laying ceremony was a solemn occasion withmany dignitaries placing wreaths to honour the group, but the first wreath placed was designed with flowersand was the insignia of the Devils Brigade which wasboth delicate in design but powerful in its image. Theceremony was capped off with a low level fly over bya Canadian CF18 Hornet which was amazing , but themaster of ceremonies District E Commander RCL,Roger Purnell, did mention that the Hornet would becoming back over the crowd and the suggestion wasmade to turn down your hearing aids for the second flyover , which was an incredible display of flying. Oncethe event ended most of the participants dropped bythe Vimy Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion whowas hosting a reception. The tables were filled withwarriors of yesterday and today and was an impressivedisplay of comradeship. The reception was topped offwhen one of the tables of the Devils Brigade began tosing “Its A Long Way to Tipperary” and many of thetables joined in which took even us youngsters back tothe early days of World War ll.The 1st Special Service Force Association holds theirreunion each year , but as the years go by , reality willmean that one day this group will only live in the hearts,minds and memories of those left behind to ensurethat their legacy lives on forever. This was a time in ourhistory that we needed a special force to stand in theway of tyranny and these men took that challenge andby doing so have placed themselves forever in the historybooks and will always have the gratitude of bothnations which they represented. We will never forgettheir sacrifices.

14 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O FN O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N DFall 2009Ladies Auxiliary meets at Br. 19The 44th AnnualLadies Auxiliary meetingwas held at Branch 19,North Sydney. In attendancewere Antigonish,Port Hawkesbury, Florence,Sydney Mines andWestmount.Branch Liaison ComradeEvelyn Hillieroversaw a beautiful roastbeef supper served byour sponsored cadets, 562Cadet Squadron.The meeting wasopened by Branch 19 LAPresident Claudia Drey.Reports were given by allOn June 6, EverettBranch 88 Royal CanadianLegion, Chester Basin, invitedits veterans to attenda roast porkloin dinnerwith all the fixings.Nine of the 17 memberswere able to attendthe event held on the 65thanniversary of D-Day.All veterans received keychains with Support theTroops ribbon and watchface. Service pins werepresented to the following:John Reeves – 10years, All Tarrant – 30years, John Cramsie –branches in attendance.President Care Weallthanked the ladies forcoming and praised thework of the ladies auxiliaries.Guest speaker wasComrade Doris MacDonald,President of the NewWaterford Branch. Shewas introduced by AlaineTaylor, treasurer, who alsopresented her with a smalltoken of appreciation.The 45th Rally will bein Westmount.A dance followed withmusic by MikeWhitty,Executive Member and20 years, Bruce Oxner,Murray Long, MurrayMosher, Ralph Shaw andGlenn Joudrey – 35 years,Charles Taylor, A. NelsonEisner, and Marvin Webber– 40 years, ClarencePeters and Joe Morrison –45 years, Rex Webber – 55years, Clarence Peters andJoe Morrison – 45 years,Earl Zwicker – 65 years.New member Ron Stephensonwas welcomedto the branch at this timeas well.Following the meal andpresentations, the StudioCommunity Officer of562 Cadet Squadron.Bar Town Days inNorth Sydney is held everyyear in July. Each yearthe Royal Canadian LegionBranch 19 sponsorsa Senior’s Tea as part ofthe week-long activities.This year coordinatorBernita Gauthro and theLadies Auxiliary membersdecided to call itRed Friday. Each seniordressed in red received ared carnation. The legionwas awash in red for theoccasion.Br. 88 honours volunteersSingers, under the directionof Dawn Harwood-Jones, presented a shortconcert of appropriatemusical selections to honourthe veterans and theirfamilies.The following weekend,June 13, the LadiesAuxiliary of Branch 88RCL hosted the Zone13 Ladies Afternoon tea.This is an annual eventand 96 ladies were in attendance.Past presidentswere recognized. A travelingplaque was presentedto the branch having thehighest number of attendees– that being LunenburgBranch 23 with 24members present.Various door prizeswere awarded and entertainmentwas providedby Richard Eldridge andFriends, Chester Moss,Milton Spurrell andMyrna Reeves.After the ladies enjoyedthe music and a deliciouslunch, they thanked thehost branch an indicatedthat 2010 would see thegroup gather at the NewGermany branch.David Andrews at his great uncle’s grave in Beny-Sur-Mer.Pilgrimage a highlightContinued from Page 13common sight on the faces of my travellingcompanions and myself too.I have no problem admitting that Ifound it very emotional day after day.I will “try” to explain how emotional Ifound it.At Beny-Sur-Mer, I was standing atattention during the service, and as theservice was progressing my mind wason the uncle I never knew. I thought Iwas doing pretty good controlling myfeelings as this ceremony moved alonguntil it was over and my roommate forthe trip came over and asked if I wasokay. I said that I was, but it had beendifficult standing there with my mindspinning, and I did find it emotional.Steve, who had been in the colourparty standing in front of me, lookedat me and said “ We know it was hardfor you, we could hear you”.I guess I didn’t hide the tears orsniffles as well as I thought.I guess that what I am trying to sayis that this pilgrimage was everything Iexpected and more. This opportunityis one that I will never forget and Ican think of no higher honour that Icould be awarded by the Legion thanthis chance to represent them on thisadventure.I would like to say that havingComrades Jack and Cornelia Hatchertravelling with me was wonderful andto have Jack carry the wreath for me atBeny-Sur-Mer was a true honour.I could not have asked for a bettergroup to tour with. The Commandrepresentatives from each area ofCanada were top notch all the way andI am still in regular contact with them.As a matter of fact, we are planninga reunion next summer to get togetherand share our experiences that we willhave making our presentations.To the Nova Scotia/Nunavut CommandSelection Committee, I cannotsay thank you enough for making meyour choice for this year. To NovaScotia/Nunavut Command, its officersand staff, I say thanks for your encouragementand support.This will always be a highlight of mylife and I will never forget those thathelped make it possible.I look forward to sharing more ofthe trips stories with you all.

Fall 2009T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O FN O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D15Branch 88 invites veterans to D-Day anniversary eventOn June 6, EverettBranch 88 Royal CanadianLegion, Chester Basin, invitedits veterans to attenda roast porkloin dinnerwith all the fixings.Nine of the 17 memberswere able to attendthe event held on the 65thanniversary of D-Day.All veterans received keychains with Support theTroops ribbon and watchface.Service pins werepresented to the following:John Reeves – 10years, All Tarrant – 30years, John Cramsie –20 years, Bruce Oxner,Murray Long, MurrayMosher, Ralph Shaw andGlenn Joudrey – 35 years,Charles Taylor, A. NelsonEisner, and Marvin Webber– 40 years, ClarencePeters and Joe Morrison –45 years, Rex Webber – 55years, Clarence Peters andJoe Morrison – 45 years,Earl Zwicker – 65 years.New member Ron Stephensonwas welcomedto the branch at this timeas well.Following the deliciousmeal and the presentations,the Studio Singers,under the direction ofDawn Harwood-Jones,presented a short concertof appropriate musicalselections to honour theveterans and their families.All reported enjoyingthe evening very much.The following weekend,June 13, the LadiesAuxiliary of Branch 88RCL hosted the Zone13 Ladies Afternoon tea.This is an annual eventand 96 ladies were in attendance.Past presidentswere recognized.A traveling plaque waspresented to the branchhaving the highest numberof attendees – thatbeing Lunenburg BranchBranch and Zone news23 with 24 members present.Various door prizeswere awarded and entertainmentwas providedby Richard Eldridge andFriends, Chester Moss,Milton Spurrell andMyrna Reeves.After the ladies enjoyedthe music and a deliciouslunch, they thanked thehost branch an indicatedthat 2010 would see thegroup gather at the NewGermany branch.Earl Zwicker isshown receiving his 65-Year Service Pin fromBranch 88 AwardsChair Natalie Forsyth.Les Nash (right), NS/NU Command Presidentaccepts a cheque for $5,000 from Darrell Dorey,AIL Insurance. This is AIL’s annual donation tothe Command Bursary Program.(Top photo) Jean Marie Deveaux 1st vice presentsNew Ross Branch 79 Membership Chair PaulElliott with the Membership Award. Paul Elliottalso won a leather jacket for greatest number ofnew members over the past year for the command.(Bottom photo) New Ross Legion Br. 79President Kimber Crossley receives a cheque inthe amount of $5734 to go towards New RossLegion Br. 79’s new building fund from LadiesAuxiliary President Darlene Broome and ZoneCommander Roger Parnell.The Vacation Draw for Nova Scotia/NunavutLotto was held on July 24 at Command Headquarters.Past Nova Scotia/Nunavut PresidentDavid Blanchard drew the winning ticket fromthe drum. The winner of the $1,000 VacationDraw was Rose Dawe from Florence, NS. Shealso won the $100 sellers prize. Rose Dawe isfrom Branch 83 Florence.(Top photo) Branch President Eric Albright (farright) looks on as Branch 92 Carpiquet’s Floatjoins the Parade on Freeport Days. They wenton to win 3rd place in the floats. (Bottom photo)Veterans ride on Branch 20 Digby’s Float duringScallop Days Parade.

16 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F N O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D Fall 2009At the Honours and Awards ceremony in Juneat the F. E. Butler Branch 44, Chester, PresidentMarion Fryday-Cook presented Comrade AllanMosher (centre) with his Life Memberships Badgeassisted by Honours and Awards Chairman ComradeBob LeBlanc.A donation to the Calais Branch 162 Tin Hatfund is presented from Sackville Family Daycareby David Hawkins to the Poppy Chairperson JohnMacKay.(Top photo) Calais Branch 162 newest memberis surrounded by her extended family, allcurrent members of Calais Branch. Thirty yearsafter Calais Branch 162 received its Charter,first president and founding member, the lateJack Hobin’s granddaughter, Tara Leigh Hobinis the latest member of her family to join theLegion. Shown above with Tara Leigh in theHobin Room are her uncle and aunt, ComradesTed and Kathy Malpage, her motherComrade Brenda (Malpage) Hobin, uncleComrade Ralph Malpage, Tara Leigh, auntComrade Mona Malpage, her grandmother,ladies auxiliary past president Comrade PhyllisHobin and her father, Past President ComradeGlen Hobin. Comrades Ralph, Mona andGlen are currently serving in Canada’s armedforces.Jack Hatcher placing at wreath at the Branch162 Battle of Britain event. Comrade Hatcher wasrepresenting Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command.At the Honours and Awards ceremony in Juneat the F. E. Butler Branch 44, Chester, LA PresidentPhyllis MacKenize (left) receives her 60-yearmembership badge. Making the presentation is61-year LA member Sister Cavell Stevens.Branch 162 President Rita Connors is shownlaying a wreath at the Battle of Britain Ceremonies.(Top photo) Branch 61 recently held a FunDay, Comrade Doug Thibodeau mans the dunktank. Thanks for being such a good sport. (Bottomphoto) Canteen for Sunday Bingo.

Fall 2009T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O FN O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D17Earlier this year, Brenda Himmelman (left),Branch 24 Treasurer and Life Member, waspresented with a Certificate of Appreciation byPresident Nan Rock.Katelyn Boyce of Springhill is shown receivinga $500 AIL Insurance Bursary from Zone 7 CommanderRobert Hoeg. The Bursary is issued byThe Royal Canadian Legion Nova Scotia/NunavutCommand. The bursary application was madethrough Branch 17 Springhill. Katelyn is attendingNova Scotia Community College CumberlandCampus located in Springhill.Comrade Douglas Moore, Branch 122 Clementsport,recently received his provincial 2009$11,000 Lotto Sweepstake cheque from ZoneCommander Comrade Joe Murphy.Branch 61 Saturday night Ladies Auxiliaryraffle winner Mildred VanTassel, quilt makerJoan Thibodeau and Comrade Ida Frotten.(Top photo) Branch 167 Past President FredRichardson shown presenting a $500 bursarycheque to Janet O’Brien of South ColchesterAcademy, Brookfield, NS. As a class projectbefore their trip to Italy in April, the studentswere challenged to select a Nova Scotiansoldier who was killed in action in Italy and doa presentation at their grave site. Janet chosePte. Freeman Grant as he was her age whenhe lost his life for our freedom. Freeman wasa resident of the Carleton area before leavingfor the army. He was only 17 when he waskilled in action and laid to rest in the MoroRiver Canadian War Cemetery. (Bottom photo)Janet is shown at Freeman’s grave site whereshe did her presentation in his memory. Shesaid it was overwhelming when she got to thegrave. She cried and cried and realized it ishard to believe until you see a mass grave likethat one, just how many people fought for ourfreedom. Janet has a totally different view oflife now. Janet is off to Mount Allison Universityin Sussex NB where she will study music.Robyn Hatton of Amherst is shown receiving a$1000 Elsie Jean Lambert Bursary from Zone 7Commander Robert Hoeg. The Bursary is issuedby The Royal Canadian Legion Nova Scotia/NunavutCommand. The bursary application wasmade through Branch 17 Springhill. Robyn is attendingMount Allison University in Sackville NB.Branch 61 recently presented 50-Year Medalsto (l to r) World War II Vet Victor Gordon, FirstVice Gilbert Parker, Deputy Zone Commanderand 2nd Vice Mark Steven.

18 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F N O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D Fall 2009The following students were awarded $750 bursaries from the DebertLegion. (l to r) Nathaniel G. MacBurnie, Alex Martell, President CharlesBorden Jr., Hugh Jordan McLellan and Cory Robert Lund.Past Ladies Auxiliary member Anna MacPherson, volunteer Joyce Peach,Past Ladies Auxiliary members Lizzie Thomas and Una Peach have combinedtimes served Branch 55 for over 100 years. They each received acertificate of appreciation and a bouquet of roses.Royal Canadian Legion Debert Branch 106 President Charles Bordon,Jr., on behalf of the hosting Branch, welcomed District C Commander JimWhitman, Command President Les Nash, Command 2nd Vice President RonThrowsdale, and Zone 10 Commander Alan Fahey to the Annual Zone 10Picnic on August 22.Cape Perce Sea Cadet Corp founding fathers (l to r) Jim Snow, Jack Griffin,Norma Peach and Calvin Hillier. They, along with the cadets, were onstage to be recognized.District F recently presented AIL Insurance Bursary’s to (l to r) Kyle Mc-Neil, Ashley Hill and Brandon Surette. The presentation was made byDeputy Zone Commander Zone 15 Robert Evans, Branch 160 PresidentMary Boutin and District F District Commander Tom Waters.Hants Co. Branch 9 President Conrad Gilbert accepts the Freedom of theTown and Municipality from Windsor Mayor Paul Beazley (left) and Municipalityof West Hants Warden Richard Dauphinee (right) during a uniqueceremony at Windsor Town Office on September 12. The Freedom of theTown and Municipality gives Branch 9 the right to march through town with“drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed.”

Fall 2009T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O FN O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D19Convention meet and greetShown during the Command Convention Meet and Greet in Dartmouthlast May: (l to r) Commissioner of Nunavut, Her Honour AnneMeekitjuk-Hanson; Mr. Greg Kerr, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministerof Veterans Affairs; Comrade David Blanchard, Nova Scotia/NunavutCommand Past President; Mr. Bob Hanson.During the September General Meeting of Calais Branch 162, eight newmembers were sworn in and given a warm welcome by all those in attendance.Pictured above after being sworn in: (l to r back) Zachary Hill, GaryEuloth, Herbert Parker, Denis Gaudrault, Trent Howe; (l to r front) CatherineShippien, Charlotte Hill and Catherine Croke.Dominion Treasurer Mike Cook (left) with his wife Judy and DominionPresident Wilf Edmond with his wife Annie.Royal Canadian Legion Branch 61 Officers and Executive Members:(back) Public Relations, Comrade Anthony Paddock; Secretary, ComradePam Saulnier, House, Comrade Ken Shirley; Membership, Adrienne Specks;Bar, Comrade Stan Deveau; Sports, Comrade Don Jenkins; Ways andMeans, Comrade Cecil Roy; Treasurer, Comrade Doug Thibodeau; (front lto r) Service Officer Tim Parker; 2nd Vice Mark Stevens, Branch 61 PresidentIrene Nickerson, 1st Vice Gilbert Parker; Past President Ed Fells.(l to r) Alan Curtis, Prince Edward Island Command; Mavis Cooper,New Brunswick Command; David Flannigan, of Newfoundland/LabradorCommand, and his wife Vera.Royal Canadian Legion Branch 61 Ladies Auxiliary Executive (back l tor) Comrades Amy Moulaison, Delta Robicheau, Pat Rhyno, Rose Stewart,Corinne Leblanc, Florence Watkins, Ruth Blades, Pauline Woodworth; (frontl to r) 1st Vice Ida Frotten, President Gloria Smith, 2nd Vice Marion Miller.

20 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O FN O V A S C O T I A / N U N A V U T C O M M A N D Fall 2009The Zone 14 Color Party participated in the Callow Wheelchair GolfTournament ceremonies on Sept. 21.Callow Wheelchair tourneyThe 2nd Annual CallowWheelchair GolfTournament was held atthe Grandview Golf andCountry Club on Sept. 21.The tournament wassupported by local polititiansPeter Stoffer, MikeSavage and Geoff Regan,staunch supporters of ourveterans.After veteran FrankChristian let the layingof wreaths ceremony, 19teams teed off for a dayof golfing fun. Teamsand sponsors were fromvarious businesses as wellas local legions with SteeleChrysler sponsoring a$5,000 hole-in-one.A team from GeneralDynamics took first place.After a day of golfing, asteak supper was served.The Callow Wheelchairraised over $13,000toward the purchase of anew bus.Thanks go out to theHalifax Port Authority,Halifax Stanfield Airport,Fred Smithers, Telus,Canadian Tire, NorwegianConsulate, Nova ScotiaPower, the Nova ScotiaBuilding Trades, ArmedForces Resource Centre,participating legions, GeneralDynamics, and specialthank you to those whosponsored items as doorprizes and for the silentauction. A special thanksis sent out to Peter Stofferfor his non-stop effort toensure our veterans arenot forgotten.District F presented the Elsie Jean Lambert Scholarship to Heather Mc-Millan. The presentation was made by Deputy Zone Commander Zone 15Robert Evans, Centenial Branch 160 President Mary Boutin and District FCommander Tom Waters.District F presented NS/NU Command Bursaries: (l to r) Zone 15 DeputyZone Commander Zone 15 Robert Evans, District F Commander Tom Waters,Kathleen Sautiere, Raymond Doiron, Ryan McShane and Branch 160President Mary Boutin. Missing - Richard Sullivan, Samantha Cobean, TaraBent and Kory Baker.22048 2-12/5-7/7-29/10-29 22070 2-12