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Mrs. Howard Koehler heads legion auxiliary, and Albert Schmidt is branch president. THE STUDENTS WRITE Earlier this year the Royal Ca. tadian Legion held a contest among students, for an - on Remembrance Day. Two youths from Nova Scotia were the win. ters, and their essays are re- moduced here. By BILL CAMPBELL Springhill, N. S. Before I express my views on why Remembrance Day should be observed, I shall explain some of the history behind it. We celebrate Remembrance Day on Nov. 11 to commemorate the dead of World War I, World War H, and the Korean conflict. Remembrance Day was originally known as Armistice Day. One of the most celebrated armistices of modern times is the one that ended World War I in 1918. It was signed by Qrmany and the Allies on the morning of November 11. In 1931, the name was changed from Armi- stice Day to Remembrance Day. Remembrance Day is observed to remember all those who died to preserve our hetxiom and human dignity. Many of the physically disabled veterans make poppies. These are made to represent the little flowers which grow in Flanders Fields where so many of our war dead lie. The red of the poppy stands for the blood spilled, while the black repre- sents the sign of death. Why should we wear a poppy? We should all wear a poppy for two reasons: I. It helps to give the veterans some finaneiarsup- port; and 2. we must not forget Auxiliary an Active Unit m ladies auxiliary to Branch 630, Royal Canadian Legion, js an active group. The women through various projects during the year, raise money for organizations like the Canadian Cancer Society, Water- loo County Mental Health and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing nsaociation. They donated $2,000 to the branch's bv'lding fund and have taken over the operation of tho legion bursary fund for children ot veterans who have high marks but could not otherwise enter tarsivorsity. The women are also active in other works, such as catering to banquets and weddings, assisting with the poppy drive, catering to Remembrance Day Means . . . Senior If we do forget and. do not guard against aggression we will become a conquered country, far ced to live under the rule of tyranny. We have been thrown the torch by our predecessors and if we do not bear it high, the world will be engulfed in darkness. 1eastwecmtdoistoremember amltogaard that for whit-mm Part of this gnawing is edic- brotag November 11 to Show the the dark battle days of war. listen to a ceremony, then meet Remembrance Day is observed in many ways: from the great cere- mony in the nation‘s capital, ot. tawa, to the small towns and villages where quiet, but equally impressive services are held. casion are being held at the tomb of the unknown soldier at the Ar- lington National Cemetery whore President J. F. Kennedy is bur- ied. In the United States on Nov. 11, Vctcran's Day is observed and ceremonies in honor of this oe- Elaborate ceremony is not noc- Emory. We in small towns have simple ceremonies to mark this occasion. They are not elaborate but they convey the message of remembrance. Remembrance Day is formally observed only once a year. Will we just appear at a ceremony and then forgot for the rest of tho you? We cannot: We must not. The men who paid one supnome sacrifice - death -- did not do so for people to wear their poppy a week or so before Remem- hmncc Day, watch a parade, or a dinner on Nov. 11 for branch members, serving lunch at the men's general meetings, helping with blind bowlers, the child. ren's Christmas party and cater- ing to a christmas dinner for senior citizens. Auxiliary members are active in sports as well and take part in local, zone and regional tourn- aments where they have won many honors in cards, darts and bowling. In the recently held re- gional bowling tournament the team placed third out of 42 teams. Mrs. Howard Koehler, pros!- tlent, said that "we of the auxi- liary also Join the mon of the to all join us, at the conotnph legion in extending an invitation Nov. II." 1.em?h,e.oteyt,ami.remmnttt ing,eorietoguarxiourprm6 ovoreathsustogiveour1ivqswqs willdosoindignityandbramery as did our predeeessms. The Whom: We musthaldit By ANNE PATRICE CAMERON Sydney Mines, N. S. Again it is Remembrance Day and I stand here in sombre si- lence. A few scattered snowflakes lower thenvr "ves hesitantly from the leaden sky as if reluctant to interrupt the traditional ob- servance of this November ele- vcnth. Glancing around at the fares I see veterans, many of them incapacitated. I see women whose husbands or sons made the su- preme sacrifice. I see people who were forever deprived of the tender companionship of their fathers, that they might live in a world that is free. "es, I see many like myself who, though not touched so tra.. gically by war, owe an everlast- ing debt of gratitude to the countless numbers who fought and died to free us from the heel of a vicious tyrant. It is well to set aside one special day when the entire country pauses in grateful hu- mility for the privileges we en- joy, which were bought so dear- ly not only by those who died but also by thos who lived. Now the words of the speaker rouse me from my reverie as I hear: "Greater love hath no man than he lay down his life for his friend." A stra gc sense of guilt take! possession of me. Is my obser- vance of Remembrance Day Just a task that I automatically accept once a year and then forget about? What am I doing from day to day for the betterment of my fellow man? How many like myself find it difficult to recall the heroic deeds wrought before they were born? Indeed, this Remembrance Day observance is awakening within me a strong realization that I must accept r share of the ce- sponsihility passed on by those who fell in far-flung battlefields. To help preserve the way of life so valiantly won, to scatter the (Continued on page 10) Todothis,mrm-momh= Junior Tho VIM” Chronicle, WM, K..eatbee t, "" '_!:, Poppy Dollars _,'riiir'i.ls, I Go a Long Way Women's League, the B'na _,iitl Th H I _ and the lODE. ey e p In 1953, the Waterloo became an active organi . the poppy fund and the ee y In conducted its first car Since that time other o, . trons, such as Wing 404 a ti ommunity Navy vets also particip rss'::'-, our behalf. Albert Schmidt, president of Waterloo Branch 530,, Royal Canadian Legion, in his Remem- brance Day message, urges every- one to support this years’ poppy fund drive Nov. 2-4. This is a most worthwhile pro- ject with, q, two-fold _punpose:_ to give visible remerntianire of our fallen soldiers of two world wars and the Korean conflict and - As a means to provide finan- cial assistance to veterans in need, widows and orphans. It is with a feeling of pride In our local branch that 1 ex- plain just what the poppy fund is and is used for: Members of the Royal Cana- dian Legion are pledged to - hold the memory of their fallen comrades " well as to assist the veteran, his widow and his fam- ily, who from time to time may require some financial assist- The poppy fund ls in fact the most important project of this branch, and whatever money is spent to assist veterans in un- fortunate circumstances is deriv- ed from this fund. As well, the fund also provides educational bursaries for orphans of a veteran. The only portion of the funds that does not stay within the community, is that which is re- quired for the purchase of cloth poppies and wreaths from Vet organization It is the policy of the legion to use Vet Craft wreaths at all veteran's funerals. Before the Waterloo branch was formed and received its charter in 1952, the poppy cam- paign held in this community was looked after by the women of the Silver Cross, the Catholic legion's poppy fund gives helping hand to veteran veterans Women's League, the B'nai Brian and the IODE. In 1953, the Waterloo branch became an active organizer of the poppy fund and the branch conducted its first campaign. Since that time other organize tibns, such as Wing 404 and the Navy vets also participate on our behalf. . Royal Canadian Legion' also play a very important role in the sale of poppies. They are in charge of canvassing industry and de. serve to be complimented for their work which has aidéd im- measurably in increasing the pogpy sale from year to year. Also to be commended are the public and separate school child. ren for their contribution in sei, ling poppies from house to house. Our branch organization con- sists of the chairman, who is appointed by the president, and a select committee. The Waters loo committee works in very close liaison with the Kitchener com- mittee. All veterans, dependents and families in distress who require immediate assistance for food, clothing, rent, doctor bills or other necessities, do receive it without timeeonsuming investi- gation. The committee also work! in close liaison with the Water- loo welfare department whose assistance is most appreciated. The poppy fund, as well as " other legion services, are avail. able to all veterans regardless of whether or not they are legion members. As a centennial project it is our express wish that every per- son in this community purchases and wears a poppy. The local branch will supply free of charge. poppies for all elementary school children, which we urge them to wear. l The poppy challenges us all to serve in peace as in war to give aid to those who need our help, and to protect all those who require protection. May I, on behalf of branch 530, extend an invitation to all to join us at the ccnotaph, Sat. urday Nov. 11.