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Wednesday, November 15, 1989 'TERRACE BAY/SCHREIBER NEWS _ Page 5 R.C.L. largest veterans organization in Canada There are several veterans' organizations in Canada, the largest of which is The Royal Canadian Legion with approxi- mately 600,000 members. - Prior to the First World War, the Armed Services in Canada were represented by regimental associations, scattercd units of various types and onc Dominion organization: the Army and Navy Veterans of Canada. Membership in these groups was limited and mostly restricted to large urban centres. Their activities were larguly devoted to discussion of service, national functions and assisting needy comrades in distress. Under varying conditions some 14 or 15 national veterans' groups sprung up between 1917 and 1925. They had no united voice, no united cifort. Attempts were made to coordinate their activities but each group's objec- tives seemed different from the next and thus they oftcn appeared to work at cross purposes. Finally, in November of 1925 in Winnipeg, at a national confer- ence of veterans groups, the Dominion Veterans Alliance came into existence, spurred by the plea of one man in particular - Field Marshall Earl Haig Commander-in-Chicf of the British Armies. By July 1926 the Legion was sclf-supporting. From its incep- tion, the Legion has concerned itsclf primarily with the battle for adequate pensions and other ben- efits for war vetcrans and the dependents of those who had lost their lives in war. S Se bs ae 100% BCF Nylon 3 M Stain Release Reg. $45.95 sq. yd. Beneficial changes were effected but the depression of the 1930s created a whole host of new problems. The Legion was constantly involved both in local endeavors and in national undertakings in efforts to improve the desperate conditions of vetcrans in most of Canada. A significant devclop- meni in this period was the intro- duction of the War Vetcrans Allowance Act in 1930. This ben- efitted those prematurely aged by their war experiences but who were not, in most instances, eligi- ble for war disability pensions. With the Second World War, the Legion was revitalized by the demands made upon it and the influx of new members. The effort during and immediately after the war was enormous. Canadian Icgion war services pro- vided amenities such as entertain- ment, cantcens for the serving men, both home and abroad, including the battlefronts. Canadian Legion educational scrvices provided correspondence courses and tutors to prepare the scrving men for their return to civilian life. Following the Second World War, the Legion played an impor- tant role in assisting all who had served to securc disability and other pensions to which they were cntitled. It maintains professional ser- vice officers who are trained to investigate claims as well as to prepare and present submissions to the appropriate pension "board or commission. The Legion also deals dircctly with the federal mi Center 1/8 Gauge Fractured Saxony > 5 year wear. guarantee : ow oni A restored Second World War Canadian Army Universal carrier is part of a new memorial mounted in Hillcrest Park in Thunder Bay on October 27. It is flanked by two marble plaques !nscribed with the names of 199 members of the Lake Superior Regiment (Motor) who were killed in action and buried in Europe. Members of the Old Boys Association restored the vehicle at a cost of about $40,000. A final reunion of the regiment is planned for next September to formally dedicate the memorial. Pictured above from left to right are Eddie Gravelle, Popeye Richard, Murray Slomke, Hap Oldale and Lt. Col. R. Dick, CO of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment. government to ensure that the pensioners are treated fairly, par- ticularly in this time of inflation. The Legion, with some 1,800 branches across Canada and in West Germany and in the U.S., is involved in each community in which it is located. The Legionnaires support over 400 cadet corps in Canada and a simi- lar number of scout groups. In amateur sports 817 hockey, 870 baseball and 713 softball tcams, as well as 5()0 track and ficld clubs receive Legion assis- tance. Almost 1,000 bursaries are provided to furthcr cJucation of those'with ability who nced finan- cial help. The elderly are provided for in that we are an 'Authorized' 'VENTURE' Carpet Dealer Tuxedo 100% BCF Nylon Soft Lustre Saxony 3 M Stain Release 5 year wear guarantee Reg. $34.95 sq. yd. more than 100 communities through senior citizen's housing programs, meals on wheels, recreational programs and help for the sick and handicapped. The Legion is a non-profit, dues supported organization. It reccives no financial support from outside agencies. Remembrance Day is celebrat- ed each year on the 11th of November when an official cerc- mony takes placc at 11 a.m. at the National War Memorial in Oulawa. It was in 1931, after continued rcpresentations from the Legion, that parliamcnt amended the Armistice Day Act so that Nov suber 11 could be set aside as a day distinct and apart from any other observance upon which the nation could pay special trib- ute to those "who gave their lives that freedom might prevail." In 1970, an act, known as the Holidays Act, was passed by par- liament which included among other holidays, Remembrance Day, which reads as follows: "Throughout Canada in each and every year, the 11th day of November, being the day in the year 1918 on which the Great War was triumphantly concluded by an armistice, is a holiday, and shall be kept and observed as such under the name of Remembrance Day." is Proud to Announce ------s > =: ---- scab "EER, 'Medallion 100% Continuous Filament Nylon Cut Loop styling ; With Staintamer protection 5 year wear guarantee "h ied Now Only Reg. $24.95 "s 95 nly 29°: ww $19 sq. yd. $2395 sq. yd. S | a5 sq. yd. * 100% BCF Nylon 5 year wear nly S 95 Calliope Gistcosvins ° en sq. yd. Slmntamer Pidluciion pag. 319-95 and only at Watson's! Peninsula Rd. 229-1601 Two Full Time installers With over 20 years of experience. 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