The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 117 About 1923, the Veterans of WWI from Leask and district were organized into the Great War Veterans. In 1926, the name was changed to the Royal Canadian Legion, Leask Branch #79 and fifteen names are included on the charter. The influx of settlers under the Soldiers' Settlement Program greatly increased their numbers. To raise funds to build the Legion Hall, the Branch sold shares for $100 each and $1,600 was collected. The remaining debt of $1,800 took eighteen years to pay. The hall was the main entertainment center for the village, hosting dances, school concerts, graduations, socials, weddings, fall suppers, teas, soup & sandwich luncheons, reunions, and many other events. In 1958, a kitchen was added to the hall. Other additions to the hall included a foyer, restrooms, stage and a bar. Also, a cenotaph was built following WWI with engraved names of soldiers from WWI and later WWII who gave their lives in battle. Recently, a permanent bronze plaque attached to the Cenotaph replaced the engraved names. The Ladies’ Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion was formed on May 3, 1954 with seventeen charter members. Early meetings were held in the fire hall and members' homes, and later in the hall kitchen. The Auxiliary was disbanded on February 3, 2002, and members joined the Legion. The organization is volunteer operated. Over the years, members have participated in and hosted Remembrance Day Services, parades, dances, curling, golfing, Christmas parties, rallies, St. Patrick's Day parties, birthday parties at the nursing home, soup & sandwich luncheons, teas and bake sales, and served lunches at Veterans' funerals, auctions, 50/50 draws, and rented the hall. Funds raised have been used to sponsor prizes for poster, essay and poetry contests, and donations to community fundraising, local fire halls, the nursing home and medical clinic, Terry Fox Day, Telemiracle, bursaries, scholarships, as well as upkeep and improvements to the hall. Meetings are held the first Thursday of every month with 55 members enrolled at present. The branch strives to maintain awareness of the sacrifices made by the veterans and their families during the great wars and to instill in our youth a sense of pride and appreciation for those efforts to uphold the freedoms we enjoy. LEASK BRANCH 79 On January 11, 1927, the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League granted a charter to Moosomin Branch No. 81. There were 48 charter members, with H. Downing being President. By February 1944, 11 members and 45 of their children were in uniform. During the Second World War, the Branch provided many services and comforts for the troops in town and overseas. They sponsored many entertainments for the benefit of the Red Cross. Immediate concerns of the members of the Branch were to deal with the rehabilitation of the troops as they returned from the war. Many homecoming activities welcomed the veterans as they returned from the various theatres of war – Italy, Holland, Sicily, Cyprus, Germany, etc. In 1952, the community, Branch 81 and the Ladies’ Auxiliary completed its drive to erect a building as a memorial to the servicemen and women of World War II. An added lounge and hall completes the facilities. Over the years, Branch 81, together with the Ladies’ Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion, has been and continues to be involved in civic affairs vital to the community and district. There were financial drives – ticket drives, lotteries, bingos, as well as bake sales, soup & sandwiches, and the popular ‘beef-on-the bun,’ each adding to funds to: • Provide furnishings for a private ward in the local hospital and nursing home • Support the 2006 Integrated Health Facilities • Youth sponsorship in various sport, music, cultural & educational activities • Provide leadership for the Scouting and Air Cadet movement. The membership of this branch includes: 1. Any serviceman or lady – ladies first accepted in 1947 2. Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police – granted in 1972 3. Fraternal Affiliation for non-service personnel – was approved in 1973 4. Associate sons and daughters were granted full membership privileges in 1980. MOOSOMIN BRANCH 81 (Cont’d...)
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