By Gisele Pharand
If you are newcomers to our city or country, you must have wondered who are Legionnaires?
In this column, I wanted to tell you the story of people helping people. The easiest way to answer your question is to say that Legionnaires have a deep love for their country and those who have fought to defend it.
They are your friends, neighbours, people you meet while shopping in your local store.
Their story is one of “Service not for Self.”
It all started back in 1925. After the end of the First World War, numerous associations were founded to help veterans.
In an appeal for unity, in Winnipeg Manitoba, all the different groups were brought together and the association was called “The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League.” It was incorporated by a special act of Parliament and the charter was issued in 1926.
On Dec. 19,1960 Queen Elizabeth gave her consent and we became the Royal Canadian Legion.
Zone H3, as described in my previous column, consists of 12 branches.
West of Sudbury:
Branch 39: 370 Annette St., Espanola
Branch 177: 15 Vankoughoet St. E., Little Current
Branch 514: 26 Philipps St., Gore Bay Ontario
North of Sudbury:
Branch 503: located at 1 St. James St., Onaping
Branch 553: located at 3523 Errington St., Chelmsford
In Sudbury
Branch 76: 1553 Weller St., Sudbury
Branch 564: Long Lake Rd., Sudbury
Branch 336: 66 Edison Rd., Falconbridge
Branch 179: 16 Young St., Capreol
South of Sudbury:
Branch 640, Noelville
Branch 117, Parry Sound
Branch 591, Britt
Legionnaires are waiting to welcome you to their locations. Tim Morgan, PRO of Branch 553, wants everyone to know they are open six days a week. It’s a great place to socialize, with monthly events and free WiFi.
Darlene Armstrong, PRO of Branch 336, wants everyone to know that they have a club room, large hall to rent, a full-sized kitchen and a great monthly fish fry.
Debbie Menard, President of Branch 177, writes that they have 158 members.
They have many events every month, including dances, brunches and pool tournaments. The list goes on and on. Please check for new events on their website.
Branch 76 president Bruce McNab reminds us that remembrance is very important, and that Branch 76 has been a sponsor of the Wolf Squadron Air Cadets for the past 75 years. Judy Robitaille, first vice-president of Branch 76 and this year’s Poppy chair, tells us that with all the activities and youth programs that take place at the branch, please come on up and take time to relax and enjoy the million dollar view.
This is just a small sample of our people at work and at play. Each location has a variety of programs, with something for everyone. I’m encouraging everyone to drop in and take the time to get to know us.
Young and old alike, everyone is welcome.
Gisele Pharand is the public relations chair for Legion Branch 76 in Minnow Lake. Sudbury.com is running a series of three columns on the Legion leading up to Nov. 11.
