LITTLE CURRENT—The annual Honours and Awards ceremony and presentations at the Little Current branch of the Royal Canadian Legion saw a good crowd of navy-blazered members out to see comrades honoured and to receive honours and awards themselves.
Branch 177’s Honours and Awards mistress of ceremonies was Comrade Christy Deschamps who began the ceremony on Friday, November 24 with memorials to two members of the branch who have passed away this past year.
Comrade Morris Keller from Mindemoya, a 10-year Legion member, was remembered as a lifelong volunteer who, even in his winters spent in Mexico, continued to help those less fortunate and an example was given of the interest he and fellow Manitoulin resident Tom Newburn had taken in working to restore hearing to a handicapped Mexican boy, eventually getting his hearing restored at the Shriner’s Hospital in Montreal.
Comrade Morris passed away May 17, 2023.
Comrade Debbie Menard, a three-term president of Branch 177, passed away July 12, 2023.
Comrade Menard was remembered as a dedicated and caring Legion member, striving to “make the Legion a family where the branch was not just comrades working side by side but a family of Legionnaires.”
Comrade Deschamps explained that through Comrade Menard, she came to understand the importance of “truly recognizing and showing appreciation for the Comrades of our Branch,” an appropriate recognition at the Honours and Awards event.
The Act of Remembrance was recited in memory of the departed Branch 177 Legion members.
Past President Ruth Eadie came to the podium to honour Comrade Blake St. Jacques with the Legionnaire of the Year Award for 2023. His citation reads, “during COVID-19, the Legion provided takeout meals and also chicken wings each week. Comrade Blake helped with this and cooked wings each week. He also barbeques at dinners and fish frys and helps with Comrade Linda’s Toonie Luncheons. If help is needed for a Legion event, Comrade Blake is there to help. Thank you, Blake!”
Comrade Blake, clearly emotional, said simply, “it’s wonderful to be back among family.”
The first group honoured were branch members receiving their past president’s medal or bar. These included: Comrade Leslie Burnett (first vice president’s and Executive Committee bar), Comrade Lois Keller (Third Vice President’s bar), Comrade Kari Bourque (Poppy bar), Comrade Ted Bemister (second Vice President’s bar), Comrade Ruth Eadie (Past President’s and Honours and Awards bar), Comrade Doug Clarke (Lapel decoration), Comrade Roy Eaton (Constitution and Laws bar) and Comrade Christie Deschamps (Secretary bar and Honours of Awards bar).
Certificates of Appreciation were presented to: Comrade Leslie Burnett for stepping up to take on the branch president’s role when Comrade Sue Morin retired; Comrade Kari Bourque for taking over the Poppy Chair’s job when Comrade Sue retired; Tony Bell for volunteering his time cooking at the branch barbeque events; Comrade Dave Patreau who organizes the Super Bowl parties each year when he and his spouse Nancy also donate the chili and dinner rolls; Comrade Duane Deschamps for taking on the job as Bar Chair, looking after the lottery and being a handyman for the branch. He has installed a new light fixture for the shed and has donated two fridges to the branch. Comrade Duane worked with UCCM Castle Building supply to have tiles donated for the pool room floor. He picks up products for the bar as required and makes sure the propane tanks are always full; Comrade Luke Walsh chairs the Building and Maintenance Committee. He is also building the new handicap ramps; Comrade Tammy Bryan-Walsh, a new member, had already been the volunteer Karaoke host and has now taken on the demanding role of Membership Chair; Comrade Roy Eaton for sharing his knowledge and expertise with a new executive team. Comrade Roy also oversees Remembrance Day ceremonies and other related events; Callum Scotney for volunteering at the branch whenever he can and helping Comrade Kari when she needs assistance with her many jobs; Julie Deschamps (Comrade Duane’s Mom) for the poppy painting she created for the poppy campaign; Brianna Burnett for helping decorate for dances through the years; Comrade Christy Deschamps (presented by Comrade Ruth) for taking on the Branch Secretary’s role and volunteering her time for myriad Legion events.
Four students, all grandchildren of Past President Ruth Eadie, were also singled out for certificates of appreciation and each of them had come to the branch initially in order to help achieve their volunteer hours required to graduate from high school. These include Wyatte Moore who has done a wide variety of jobs at the branch and plans to continue to volunteer in the future; Paige Moore who helps as a server at food events and also helps out at the canteen; Stephane Giroux helps serving food and setting up the tables for guests; Faith Moore for helping to set up tables, get take-away food containers ready and organizing accompanying beverages. She also assisted her Auntie Leslie collect the payments for food.
Businesses that were chosen for Certificates of Appreciation this year are: Boarderline, Turners, Orr’s ValuMart, 3 Cows and a Cone, Elliott’s Restaurant, Anchor Inn, Break Away Sports, Dreamers Cove, McQuarrie Motors, Brewgers and Manitoulin Brewing Co.
Certificates of Merit were presented to John Roy for donating time to DJ dances to raise money for the pool table refurbishing initiative; the Little Current Lions Club for their longtime support of the Legion and for sharing the Catch the Ace funds and, recently, making a large donation towards the new handicap accessible ramp; UCCM Castle Building Supply for donating new flooring for both the meeting room and the pool room; Comrade Jim Corrigan for his help in the Mindemoya area with the Poppy Campaign and for his work on the District Cenotaph Committee.
Long-service pins were presented by Comrade Christy to: Comrades Lois Keller (5 years), Blake St. Jacques (5 years), the late Morris Keller (10 years), John McLennan (15 years), Norris Valiquette (20 years), Joanne Thurston (35 years), John Ferguson (35 years), Rob Marshall (35 years) and John Hodder (50 years).
Comrade Ruth, chair of the Honours and Awards Committee reminded everyone to keep their dues paid and acknowledged how this event recognizes everyone who has given so much time and effort to Branch 177.
The evening concluded with a light lunch.
