LITTLE CURRENT— The Little Current Royal Canadian Legion Branch 177 donated two copies of the ‘Legion Ontario Command Military Service Recognition Book, Volume 1’ to the Northeast Town Public Library.
This first volume of the project, a fundraiser for the Legion Ontario Command, commemorates those Ontarians who served in Canada’s Armed Forces, listing hundreds of service men and women within its pages.
“This annual publication will help identify and recognize many of the veterans of Ontario who served their country extremely well,” said Legion Public Relations Officer Roy Eaton in making the presentation along with veterans Gary Trimmer and Humphrey Beaudin of Little Current. “As ‘Keepers of Remembrance’ the Royal Canadian Legion strives to perpetuate the sacrifices that our soldiers and their families sacrificed for our freedom. The Military Service Recognition Book will serve as a reminder for generations to come of the contributions made towards the creation of our nation and the continuance of Canada as a protector of freedom.”
Mr. Eaton noted that although the book is all about remembrance, it will raise funds through a general telephone appeal to the general public and businesses. “The book publisher is currently conducting the telephone appeal on our behalf to private citizens and the business community throughout the province,” he said. “Funds raised through the program will assist and support many Legion activities and held to assist branches to remain a viable partner in their communities.”
Mr. Eaton said the Legion was inviting people to submit stories and a photo of veterans who have touched their lives through their local Legion branch. “We cannot expect those who have served or are still serving to write their own stories for publication,” said Mr. Eaton. “So we are asking members of the Legion and the general public to accept the responsibility and fulfill our mandate to do this on their behalf.”
The first volume of the book only contains a few hundred of the thousands who have and are serving, noted Mr. Eaton. “There are a lot more stories that have been submitted than there was room for in this first volume,” he said. Those included were selected by draw, with the unfortunate result that some Legions had several veterans included, while others were shut out, but he said not to give up on the project. “This will continue until all of the stories have been told,” he said.
“Our second volume will be published and circulated to all branches this coming September,” assured Provincial Public Relations Chair Carolyn McCaul. “It will also be available on our provincial website (www.legion.ca) shortly after. Our first year we had 1,845 submissions processed and in our second year we have processed approximately 500.”
Ms. McCaul noted that the telephone fundraising appeal is being conducted by Fenerty Marketing on behalf of the Legion. “If there are any concerns, especially veterans and senior citizens, regarding telephone scams, please have them contact their Legion branch and we will resolve the issue.” Since the phone calls are all recorded, the Legion will be quickly able to determine if they are legitimate or not, assured Ms. McCaul. “We ask that every Legion educate their staff that answers the phone about this program.”
