The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 137 In earlier years, the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Branch were a tremendous help to the Legion. In 2000, the Ladies’ Auxiliary dissolved and most of them joined the Legion. This was a great help, as prior to 2000, there were only nineteen members. Now, there are thirty-two. In 1962, the old Drug Store was purchased for seven hundred dollars. It lasted for thirty-four years. In 1996, members started to build a new Legion Hall. With the help of retired carpenters who were Legion members, by 1998, it was all paid, with an estimated value of $175,000.00. It was the last new Legion Hall built in Saskatchewan. It is not a paying proposition, but is serving the community very well. It has a spacious kitchen, bathrooms, a small bar, and is used for special occasions for about 100 people. THE LADIES’ AUXILIARY TO EDAM BRANCH 106 The Ladies’ Auxiliary to Edam Branch was organized in 1930. In 1944, discussions were begun about chartering with Provincial Command. They got their charter in March 1945. The first meetings were held in members’ homes, with each member taking a turn, and the host always having a delicious lunch. Sometimes tea cups were read which created a few laughs. During World War II, parcels were sent to the boys overseas, which included soap, cigarette papers, tobacco, and tooth paste; when wool was available, members would knit socks to send in the parcels. In 1948, when the War Brides started arriving, the Auxiliary organized many showers for them. The Honour Roll was made by the Auxiliary of both World Wars. They had many fund raisers, such as concerts, teas, bake sales and raffles. They enjoyed curling at Zone level and sometimes District level, and always had fun. They donated to the Auxiliary bursary fund and many local students in the community benefited from this venture. In 1962, they began serving for graduation banquets. Until then there had not been any of these such banquets. That activity is still going on in the Legion Hall today. The Ladies’ Auxiliary to the Legion is always a very helpful group. EDAM BRANCH 106 (...Cont’d) Semans Great War Veterans were issued a charter on November 14, 1919. Hugh McCulloch was President, and Donald Adam was Secretary. Semans Branch #108 of the Canadian Legion of the B.E.S.L received their charter on August 10, 1927. After the Armistice Service, a meeting was held to raise funds for a war memorial. The motion to build was carried unanimously, and local citizens raised the funds. Construction of the Cenotaph was done by stonemason Angus Mackay, and unveiled and dedicated on September 27, 1927, with names of Semans’World War I deceased. World War II names were added on a separate plaque in 1947. Due to vandalism on May 10, 2003, the bronze sword now in safe keeping, was detached from the Cenotaph. It has been replaced by a luminous sword, visible for two blocks Legion meetings were held in the village Fire Hall until 1952, when Wakefield School was moved to Main Street. On March 16, 2003, one wall of the hall basement began to collapse, but by March 20th the wall was replaced. Semans Hotel owners held a Benefit Supper on April 6th with the community helping. The Legion sponsored the NewYear's Dances until 1976 - more than forty years. In 1976, the 50th Anniversary of the Canadian Legion, Semans Legion and Auxiliary celebrated with a “Remember When Dance.” Everyone wore apparel of the previous decades. Some Veterans wore their wartime service uniforms. Semans Legion held a 45-year reunion on July 13, 1990, inviting all Semans and district Veterans and their families for the full day. The Legion brought Chautauqua back to Semans with two shows a day; the first Sunday in February from 1995-1997. All profits went to TeleMiracle in 1999. One of our dedicated members, Joe Anderson, began corresponding with a young Belgian, Wally Schoof, who purchased an army Beret (Royal Canadian Engineers) containing the name of a WWIl Semans’ soldier, Russell Dunlop, who died 6-11-1944, at age 41. This young man was able to correspond with members of the soldier’s family. Again, Semans Branch hosted the 2000 New Year's Family Celebrations; entertainment in the hall, fireworks, sleigh rides, and wiener roasts. Seventy-five years of the R.C. Legion was celebrated at Semans beginning on June 29, 2001, a weekend event. Two-sided 75th Anniversary Coins were purchase and sold for keepsakes. In the spring of 2001, under the ‘Welcome’ sign, bloomed the 100 Legion tulips (three colors), which bloom and multiply each spring. The 75th Anniversary of Branch #108 was celebrated on July 20, 2002. September 18th marked 75 years for the Cenotaph. Semans Branch has sponsored students to Track and Field camps, Boy Scouts, and Cadets. SEMANS BRANCH 108 (Cont’d...)
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