The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 119 Moosomin Branch No. 81 is part of Zone7, District 1 of Saskatchewan. But to the citizens of Moosomin, our Veterans are number one. The granite soldier on the Veteran Memorial in the center of the town reminds us – we were, we are standing on guard for all. LADIES’ AUXILIARY TO MOOSOMIN BRANCH 81 The Moosomin Ladies’Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 81 celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 1980. When it was organized in 1930, the name was ‘The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League” with 18 members. In 1961, the title was changed to The Royal Canadian Legion Auxiliary. The early premises were on the second story of the Moosomin Town Hall until 1952, when the Legion Hall was built. During those early years, with no conveniences, the ladies carried the water, dishes, etc., up the long flight of stairs and carried the “slops” down. Money was raised by catering, teas, raffles, bingos, and a fall bazaar in the early beginning; but today, the catering and bazaar have been dropped due to the lack of young members and the remaining members getting too old. Community activities of the Ladies’Auxiliary consist of: Meals on Wheels, Nursing Home birthday parties; KINABILITY Christmas party and dinner, the Combined Appeal, Veterans Hand of Friendship and the Poppy Campaign. We donate to Telemiracle, the Music Festival, the Terry Fox Run, Camp Easter Seal, Sports Camps; Fire victims, as well as to our local Branch twice a year or when asked for assistance. Over the years, the Ladies have donated over $100,000.00. Many members take part in sports at all levels of golfing, curling, bowling and cribbage. Teams have advanced to provincial level in cribbage and bowling. Today, there are a total of fifty members. Two members have received sixty-year pins, one has received a fifty-five-year pin, and six have received their fifty-year pin. The Ladies’Auxiliary’s motto of service has never faltered since its origin in 1930. They celebrated their 75th anniversary in 2005 with a cake cutting and a social event at the Legion Hall. MOOSOMIN BRANCH 81 (...Cont’d) Early records indicate that a Lodge of the Great War Veteran's Association was meeting in Arcola in April 1920. The Canadian Legion was formed in 1925 through an amalgamation of organizations including the G.W.V.A. and the British Empire Service League. The prefix "Royal" was added in 1960. In Saskatchewan Command, Branch No. 83 was formed in Arcola in 1927. Initially, the Branch included members from Carlyle and Kisbey. In 1945, the Carlyle members formed their own Branch and in 1946, Kisbey members did the same. During WWII, the Branch provided assistance to local servicemen and women overseas, as well as for their dependents back home. They put what money they had into Victory Bonds and took an active part in welcoming home and resettling Veterans. They helped with rehabilitation of the disabled and care of the war widows. In 1946, plans were made to build a Legion Hall in town. An intensive community canvas and volunteer labour enabled it to be constructed and opened in 1950. In 1959, an addition was added to the east side. This accommodated the furnace room, washrooms and the Arcola Public Library. The Legion hosted the Library for fourteen years and when the Library moved to the Town Hall, the space was converted into a kitchen. On January 23, 1946, a group of nine ladies met for the purpose of forming an Auxiliary to the Arcola Branch of the Canadian Legion. Twenty ladies were present at the next meeting on February 27. The charter was issued in March 1946. Early activities included social evenings to welcome war brides. Money was raised by holding dances, teas, raffles, or catering. Food parcels were sent to Britain after the war and parcels were given to the needy at home. Canvassing for the Red Cross and Mental Health was carried on for many years. Donations have been made to fire victims, Winnipeg Flood Relief, the local hospital, and many other needy causes. Throughout the years, the Auxiliary has worked hand-in-hand with the Legion to furnish and upkeep the hall. Donations are given to the Veteran's Comfort Fund, Bursary, and the Royal Canadian Legion Track and Field project. Presently, both the Legion and Auxiliary have very few members, but continue to sponsor the annual Remembrance Day Service and Poppy Day Tea. The hall is available for rent and is provided free-of-charge for the Guiding Organization. The Legion sponsors the annual school Remembrance Day Poster contest. In December 2005, a supper was held in honour of our Veterans. Following the supper, a picture wall was unveiled displaying photos and names of Arcola and District Veterans fromWWI, WWII, The Korean War, as well as present day peacekeepers, to commemorate the year of the Veteran. This history is a summary of the research submitted by Dunstan Pasterfield to Arcola-Kisbey History Book published in 1987. ARCOLA BRANCH 83
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