Close to 50 guests gathered at the Northbrook's Jimmie Clarke Legion Branch # 328 to celebrate the 90-year anniversary of the Canadian Legion. Padre Harry Adringa opened up the ceremony with a prayer that was followed by a welcome by Legion president, Mike Powley Jr.

Past president Cecil Hawley then introduced vice president and poppy chairman, Steve Michaud, and vice president, Bill March.

Comrade and veteran Doug Wood spoke about veterans, who he said represent all kinds of family relations, all ethnic groups, and that are made up of rich and poor. Some veterans may be “strong, broken, sick, remembered, and some forgotten”. He called veterans “peace keepers, peace makers and warriors', and “simple, ordinary people who were honoured to wear Canada on their shoulders”.

Past zone commander Dan Bush made two certificate presentations, the first to past president Cecil Hawley, who served for 18 years as president at Branch 328, and the second to Cecily Matacheskie, who sold tickets at the branch for years before moving to Belleville.

The band Big Clear Sound performed for guests, after which lunch was served.

I have included below a history of the Canadian Legion that was part of the anniversary celebrations at the special celebrations in Northbrook.

The Royal Canadian Legion was formed in 1926 following the unity of various World War 1 veteran organizations and is Canada's largest veteran support and community service organization with over 300,00 members in more than 1400 branches across the country. The Legion advocates on behalf of veterans, including serving military and RCMP members and their families and provides essential supports to communities across Canada. Prior to WW1, the Armed Forces in Canada were represented by regimental associations, scattered units of various types with one dominion organization that was called the Army and Navy Veterans Association of Canada. Membership in these groups was limited to former military members and the majority of these groups only existed in urban areas where military armories were located. Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of ill and injured veterans following WW1, in which 61,000 Canadians were killed, 172,000 were wounded and another 130,000 were medically discharged as result of their military service, governments needed advice on how best to deal with the overwhelming number of veterans issues and needs. From 1917 to 1925 several veterans' organizations sprang up in Canada but had no unified voice. In November 1925, 12 veterans' organizations met in Winnipeg for a special “Unity Conference” and it was from this conference that the Canadian Legion was born. By July 1926 the Canadian Legion became self supporting.

CARE duck drop and race in Arden

by Julie Druker

The local community organization known as Community Angels for Rescue and Emergency (CARE) is a community care program in Arden that began with the local ladies auxiliary and members of the Arden Legion Branch #334. The six-member organization serves local families in the community by assisting them with emergency relief needs. The financial relief provided comes in many forms, and in the past the organization has provided local families with financial relief related to home fires, family burials, and the costs associated with hospital stays for sick children.

On Saturday August 1, Judy McClure, chair of CARE along with CARE member Doug Scott dumped close to 200 yellow rubber ducks off the Bridge Street bridge in Arden as part of their annual duck race fundraiser. The ducks, which are numbered, are purchased for $5 each or 3 for $10 by members of the community. The ducks were carried by the current a few 100 metres downstream to the Arden dam. The purchasers of the first three ducks that cross the finish line win cash prizes. The cash prizes given out this year were to Elaine Flieler, 1st; John McArthur 2nd; and A. Squibb 3rd. A number of onlookers watched as the ducks were dumped over the bridge, after which the organizers quickly made their way to the dam where they awaited the three first finishers. This year due to low water levels on the Arden Creek, the drop site was moved from its former site at the Arden mill pond to the bridge on Bridge Street.

CARE was established in 1996 and continues to support members of the community, and though the funds raised at this year's duck race have yet to be directed to a particular cause, the group will, as usual meet to decide how to spend the funds once a need presents itself. Those wanting to make a donation to CARE can do so at the Arden Legion Branch # 334 or by calling Judy McClure at 613-335-2540.

The Remembrance Day services held in North, Central and South Frontenac were all very well attended this year. That was likely due in part to the tragic events that took place in Ottawa and Quebec a few weeks ago, and the fact that 2014 marks the start of both World Wars, the first 100 years ago and the second 75 years ago. In Flinton Pastor Bruce Kellar led the service there on November 9, which was attended by numerous members of the Northbrook Legion as well as various local groups and organizations including members of the Land O'Lakes Cadets. After the laying of the wreaths, those in attendance were invited by Pastor Kellar to lay their poppies at the cenotaph, demonstrating an active way of remembering all of those who have suffered and were lost in the numerous wars that Canada has fought over the last 100 years.

In Sydenham hundreds gathered for a service at the cenotaph on November 11 at The Point, which was led by Rev. Giuseppe Gagliano of St. Paul's Anglican Church. President of the Sydenham Legion, Kate Lett, also spoke at the service. The names of local soldiers who lost their lives in WW 1, WW 2 and the Korean War were read aloud. Sydenham High School exchange student Diego Hoya performed the Last Post and Reveille, which was followed by the laying of the wreaths. The service was also attended by students in grades six through eight from Loughborough Public School.

Due to the numerous Remembrance Day ceremonies that will be held in Flinton, at Pine Meadow Nursing Home and the local school, and as they will all be led by Rev. Padre Bruce Kellar with the participation of members of the Northbrook Legion, the Denbigh Remembrance Day service was held early, on November 2. The ceremony took place at the Denbigh cenotaph located at the Denbigh United Church and it attracted close to 30 members of the local community.

Rev. Padre Kellar led the service, which included members of the Northbrook Legion, Cecil Hawley, Sergeant-at-Arms Ernie Ballar, Mike Powley Junior, Harry Andringa, Wayne Marsh and Robert Wood. Rev. Padre Kellar began the service by speaking about the tragic events that took place over two weeks ago in Ottawa and Quebec, in which two members of the Canadian Forces were killed. He said, “We are able to stand on this free ground because of the men and women who have put their lives in jeopardy.” He prayed for those who have been lost and for those who have lost loved ones and who continue to experience suffering and pain because of that loss.

Twelve wreaths were laid by various members of the community including members of the Addington Highlands and North Frontenac councils. Following the ceremony attendees gathered to share a meal.

By Connie McLellan

Every year from the last Friday in October to Remembrance Day on November 11, the Legion conducts the “Poppy Campaign”. Canadians have donated money to support the services we provide and to clearly show their recognition of the debt owed to so many Canadians who gave their lives for our freedom.

In Canada, the Poppy has stood as a visual symbol of our Remembrance since 1921. The reason for its adoption was due, in no small part, to Lieutenant-Colonel John McRae and his famous poem “In Flanders Fields”, written in May 1915. The Poppy was officially adopted by the Great War Veterans’ Association as its “Flower of Remembrance” on July 5, 1921. The poppies were first made in 1922 by disabled veterans and the work provided a small source of income for them and their families.

Each November poppies blossom on the lapels and collars of over half of Canada’s entire population and this single act ensures that our memories of those who died in battle will remain strong. The Poppy stands as our visual pledge to “Never Forget” those Canadians who have fallen in war and military operations and it forges a bond between people of all ages, not only within Canada but around the world. Donations to the Poppy Campaign raise more than $14 million for the support of veterans and their families. During the campaign some 18 million poppies and 70,000 wreaths, crosses and sprays are distributed across Canada and overseas annually.

So come this November, when you see one of our many Legion volunteers out there no matter what the weather, wearing a poppy, please give generously. Always remember those who have gone before and are responsible for the freedom we now share. “Lest we Forget”

(Information from the Royal Canadian Legion website)

Fishers in a competitive derby are never apt to give away too much information about where they landed their catches. That was the case for two fishers who weighed in at the Sydenham Legion's Bass Derby, which took place on July 26 and attracted over 150 participants.

Legion members Garnett Van Luven and Bob Stinson weighed the catches of fishers Tik Ostopovitch and Scott Bowes, whose fish each weighed in just a smidge under four pounds. Both men, not surprisingly, refused to name the lakes where their fish were hooked but Tik did offer up the fact that his fish were caught “with a worm”.

The Sydenham Legion Fishing Derby was organized by Legion members Scott Morrison and Brent VanLuven and was brought back again this year after running on and off for many years previously. Kate Lett, the newly elected Sydenham Legion Branch 496 president, said the stops and starts of the derby were because it takes a substantial number of volunteers to organize it, and that it was possible to bring it back this year because “a number of eager members were willing to take on the responsibility of gathering the prizes, doing the advertising, selling the tickets and finding all of the other necessary volunteers to perform all of the other jobs that it takes to run a derby.” Participants could fish on any of the area back lakes and the winners were based on the weight of their single largest catch. Prizes were donated by local area businesses and individuals and the first place prize was a Glider 55 pound thrust Shakespeare trolling motor. Other prizes included a number of coolers, life jackets, fishing gear, sport clothing and numerous gift certificates from area businesses.

The Sydenham Ladies Auxiliary put on the lunch at the derby. Lett said she was pleased with the turn out and hopes that the event will become an annual one again, which is good news for bass fishers everywhere.

Funds raised from the derby will help pay for the upkeep of the Legion hall as well as help support a number of programs in the community including the lunch program at Loughborough Public School and Southern Frontenac Community Services.

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There was something for everyone at the Arden Legion’s all-day fundraiser on March 8. The event, which is one of the Legion’s biggest of the year, included kitchen volunteers serving up three square meals, and a singles and doubles darts tournament that saw 40 players come from as far away as Kingston, Perth, Smiths Falls and Deseronto, all aiming for the bulls-eye from morning till night. The event also included numerous games in the Legion’s main hall, a cake auction and top-notch live musical entertainment courtesy of Denbigh's famed troubadours, Pickled Chicken. Malcolm Sampson, who has been a member of the Legion for 10 years, is the fundraising coordinator at the Legion. He said he was pleased with the turnout and credited the 22 Legion volunteers who helped put on the event. By the end of the day close to $1600 was raised and the proceeds will go towards paying for one of the two new stoves that were recently purchased for the Legion’s kitchen. The rest of the funds will be used to pay back the close to 60 plus shares that were sold last year to raise funds to repair the Legion roof.

One generous donor purchased the carved totem that was donated to the event by chain saw artist Robin Deruchie of the Wolf Creek Studio in Cloyne, and then donated the piece back to the Legion. Sampson said that it will be raffled off again in the near future.

Sampson said he also has plans for another fundraising event this fall, likely in September. He said that people come from so far away to attend these fundraising events because they know they are always guaranteed a good time. He wished to thank all the volunteers who helped to make the event such an overwhelming success.

Members of the Sydenham Legion Branch #496 work hard each year to sell poppies in the community, and last week the results of those efforts were marked with the donation of $2,000 each to Fairmount Home and to the Kingston Military Families Support Program.

“The money that is going to Fairmount Home will be spent on whatever is needed to improve the Veterans' lounge at the home. There are about 20 veterans living at Fairmount and it is nice that they have a lounge. If they need new couches, a TV, whatever it is, they can use this money. The military families support program runs many programs and they can always use money to help with their work,” said Jeannie Davis, the Poppy Campaign Chair at the Sydenham Legion.

The Legion decided to make the presentations so that the community can be aware of the local use that the poppy funds are put to. Jeannie Davis said that the campaign volunteers are the ones who are responsible for its success each year

Feature Article - September 14, 2006

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Feature Article - September 14, 2006

ArdenLegion rocks inLegionWeek

by Rev. Jean Brown

The third week in September (Sept 17-24), by an official declaration of the Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, has been declared Legion Week in Canada to honour the Legion, veterans and their families who contribute to society by sponsoring sports, youth programs, seniors’ programs, community events, and supporting various organizations. The year 2006 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Canadian Legion and Arden ’s Gordon Gaylord Legion Branch 334 has many plans to recognize this special heritage. The plans include a complimentary Veterans Appreciation Turkey Dinner for all area veterans, whether Legion members or not, on Sunday, Sept 24 at 4 p.m. as a way to thank and recognize the veterans. Reservations are required so it can be determined how much food needs to be prepared. The general public is also welcome to reserve and to come as paying guests.

Branch 334 is also hosting its annual fall car rally on Saturday, Sept 23. The “Triple C Poker Rally” will include a challenging and exciting route, lots of fun, and a hot home-made soup supper for the participants. Pre-registration is required for this fun-filled event, that last year was a great success.

As well, Branch 334 Arden is getting a Community Emergency Fund organized, and to that end is raffling off tickets on a quilt and afghan made by Marie Deline. The draw will take place in December.

Future plans include a Christmas Tree of Remembrance, whereby folks can place the name of their departed loved ones on an angel as a way to cherish their memories at Christmas time.

The Royal Canadian Legion represents a living heritage and warrants our admiration for their sacrifices and for the way they give back to their communities by raising funds to assist local and regional organizations, medical centres, and communities affected by natural disasters, and in training the youth of the benefits of peace. In addition, funds are raised for ex-service personnel and their dependents and the youth are taught about the contributions and offerings of our veterans. It's important for everyone to remember the sacrifices of all the men and women who have served our country in times of peace or war. By understanding the nature of those sacrifices, we are able to better appreciate the rights and freedoms secured by our veterans and Peace Keepers and set our sights on promoting peace.

Legion Week is one more way we can thank Canadian veterans and today’s military personnel and peace keeping units for their courage. It’s also a chance to pay tribute to the work they do every day helping build strong communities that embrace the freedom and opportunities they fought to preserve.

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Feature Article - June 19, 2008

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Feature Article - June 19, 2008 Denbigh ceremony Recognizes Fallen WWI SoldierBy Angela Bright

Family, along with Addington Highlands Library Board members and government representatives, gather around the Memorial Frame.

The Denbigh Library now proudly houses the medals and military belongings of Private John Leslie Ball (July 15, 1891 – April 12, 1917) who served with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles, and was lost in the battle of Vimy Ridge. Programs for the dedication ceremony, which took place last Saturday, included a picture of the grave of Pte. Ball at Quatre Vents Cemetery in Estree-Cauchie, France, with the inscription, "In Memory of my Dear Brave Son".

Many family members, friends and neighbours were in attendance from the area and some traveled a great distance for the occasion. James McNaught, a great grand nephew, came in all the way from Kelowna, British Columbia. Niece Alice Chatson and nephew John Ball with wife Anne attended, as did grand nephew George Kennedy and great, great grand niece, Hannah McNaught. The procession into the hall was led by piper Jim Austin, followed by the Royal Canadian Legion #137 Veterans from Napanee, the Royal Canadian Legion Northbrook Branch 328, family members, the Addington Highlands Library board and dignitaries. MC Bill McNaught welcomed the crowd and the singing of "O Canada" opened the ceremony.

A moment of remembrance and prayer was led by Reverend R.J. McNaught, to observe the lives of Pte. John Leslie Ball, Pte. Charles Adam Gregg and Pte. George Draper Quackenbush, the three young men from Vennachar, and for all veterans who have served Canada. Thomas McNaught, a grand nephew, read the biography of Pte. Ball. The Memorial Frame was unveiled, and the Union Jack flag that had concealed it was presented to Reeve Henry Hogg.

Bill McNaught, who is John Leslie Ball’s great nephew and the individual most reposnsible for gathering all the material in the frame and organising the dedication ceremony, found himself with what he described as a “very heavy heart” on the day of the dedication. His father Herbert, John Ball’s nephew, who had worked with Bill every step of the way putting all the material together and was looking forward to playing a central role on the dedication day at Denbigh, took ill with a stroke just one week before the ceremony, and was in serious condition in a Toronto hospital.

As pictures were taken and refreshments enjoyed, Legion members handed out a special maple leaf and double poppy pin to each one, symbolizing Canada and recognizing Canadians who served in times of war, military conflict, peace, and all those who served at home in essential support roles. Thank you to the family of Pte. Ball for sharing the day and events of this young man's life. This history is of great importance not only to those in the family tree, but for this community and area and for the whole of Canada, now and for generations to come.

You are welcome to stop by the library to view the Memorial Frame and recognize the contribution of Private John Leslie Ball #835576.