The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 127 From 1919 to 1929, the Veterans in and around Unity held regular meetings and in 1930, the Unity Veterans became part of The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command. In 1949, the Legion purchased the old United Church and restored it into a hall. This church was built in the early 1900s, as it was Unity's first school. In 1959, the Legion started and held annual July 1st Sports Days and Ball Tournaments, events that went on for many years. In 1951, the Legion started its first Ice Carnival and became the largest winter event in Unity for many, many years. In 1952, the Legion held a Northwest Region High School Hockey Tournament with high school teams from the northwest region competing for the Legion trophy. In 1954, the Unity Legion built picnic tables and delivered them to Vera Lake, as at that time Vera Lake was a very popular resort and had up to1,500 visitors taking part in activities there. In 1955, the Unity Legion participated in fundraising and held a car bingo, which was one of the first ever held in the area. In 1956, the Unity Legion held its first Decoration Day at the Pleasant View Cemetery, placing white crosses on the Veterans' graves. This became an annual event and is still one of the many activities of the Legion today. Decoration Day services are also held annually at the Veterans' Plot at the Adanac Cemetery. Until 1956, the Army Reserves gave funds in excess of $5,000.00 to Unimac Pioneer Lodge. In 1959, the Unity Legion looked after Main Street security for the Royal Train as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip made a stop over in the community. In 1960, after many years of practicing, the Unity Legion Marching Band was asked to march in the Calgary Stampede Parade. In 1961, because of a large enrollment in the Unity Public School, the Legion made the hall available for extra classrooms. Also in 1961, the Legion officially opened a Cub Camp at Atton's Lake for the use of the youth in the area. The sponsorship and upkeep of the camp was tended to by dedicated Legion members for many years. As a fundraiser, the Legion hosted the Russian Cossack Dance Group in Unity in 1966. From 1969 to 1972, the Legion held Pig & Whistle shows and was very successful as a fundraiser. In 1994, the Legion hosted Dominion Command Curling in Unity, an event that had total community support and was applauded by the entire nation. In 1996, 1997 and 1998, Amateur Hour was held raising a total of $25,000.00. In 1997, our Branch sponsored Shawn Greenwald, a local athlete who represented Unity in the Legion Track and Field competition. Shawn excelled in the 100-metre hurdles and brought home a gold medal with his record setting performance. He also won silver and bronze medal. From 1999 to the present day, the Legion holds barbecues for raising funds. In 2005, fish feeds were successful and continue on an annual basis. Donations have been made to the Health Care District in the amount of $25,000.00 in the development of a Senior Lodge in the Town of Unity. Each year, the Branch gives a $500.00 bursary to a Grade XII student enrolled in a college or university. Due to the closing of the Legion in Macklin, the Unity Branch has taken over the work of Veterans looking after widows in that community. The Unity Legion Branch 90 has participated in Remembrance Day Services in schools, traveling to the neighboring communities of Senlac, Denzil, Macklin and St. Mary's Schools, for the benefit of the children in the area. Remembrance Day ceremonies are also held at the local schools, namely St. Peter's, Unity Public and Unity Composite High School. UNITY BRANCH 90 The Loverna Legion Branch 91 was formed in the spring and summer of 1946 by the efforts of C.W. McFayden and C.V. (Buck) Foss. The Loverna Legion Branch No. 91 was presented with its charter on August 20, 1946. The names of servicemen who were at the first meeting for organizing the Loverna Legion and had their names on the Charter are: C. Ball, S. Bolingbroke, R. Berscht, J. Erskine, B. Firth, W. Foley, C.V. Foss, J.T. Godfrey, G. Heisz, E.O. Logan, C.W. McFayden, D.O. Peat, A. Searl, J.M. Searl, A. Slater, B.E. Sonmor, G. Sonmor, J. Smyth and A. Warrington. Over the years, the Loverna Legion has taken an active part in the Loverna Community by: showing picture shows, helping maintain the Loverna Cenotaph, having Remembrance Day Services, holding Christmas Parties, putting on Golf Tournaments, having Mothers’ Day Breakfasts, holding card tournaments, both Whist and Kaiser and attending funerals for deceased Veterans and Legion members. The Branch has decreased in size over the years, but is presently still active in 2006. It consists of 21 members: 4 Ordinary members and 17 Associate members. LOVERNA BRANCH 91
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==