ONTARIO—The third volume of the Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command ‘Military Service Recognition Book’ is now available and features 20 Manitoulin Island veterans.
“Our books 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,” a press release from Ontario Command states. “The books also assist us in identifying and recognizing many of our veterans within the Province of Ontario, while at the same time assisting us in our job as the ‘Keepers of Remembrance’.”
All are encouraged to submit a photo and 150 words on an Ontario veteran, past or present, that is guaranteed to get published in the Recognition Book. As long as submissions are received, books will be published, and submissions are encouraged.
“People have stopped submitting because three years ago they submitted stuff, but didn’t see it published at that time and they became discouraged,” Branch #177 public relations officer Comrade Roy Eaton surmised. “We’re trying to get the word out to keep submitting.”
Last year, only 313 veteran bios were received. The forms, found at www.on.legion.ca, can be printed out and dropped off at the local Legion branch where they will be sent in to the publishing company. Comrade Eaton said not to worry about grammatical or spelling errors, as the biographies will be edited.
A portion of the money raised by the advertising found in the pages of the Recognition Book, some of which comes from Manitoulin sources, goes back to Ontario Command of the Royal Canadian Legion. Over the past three years, funds raised from the book have been used toward the Legion’s youth education programs, track and field program, sports program, and other important Legion programs conducted through our branches. For the past two years, these funds have also supplied branches with a tool to assist them in building membership—the printing and distribution of complimentary ‘thank you for wearing a poppy’ brochures that go to all Ontario branches. The proceeds raised also eliminated the need for any provincial per capita tax increase for Legion branches over the past three years.
The next book will be released in October of next year.
“The sooner you put in your submission, the sooner it will be published, but it’s on a first come, first serve basis,” Comrade Eaton said.
For more information visit www.on.legion.ca or pick up a copy of the book at your local Legion branch.
The new volume is available at the Legion branches in Little Current and Gore Bay.
