The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 155 It was the Legion members who improved local area sports facilities and influenced the area councils to build a new union hospital. As one of the more generous donors, the Legion requested the word 'Memorial' be included in the name: Birch Hills Memorial Union Hospital. A bronze plaque, bearing the names on our local Honour Roll was placed in the Memorial Hospital (now, Memorial Museum). A stone cairn with duplicate plaque was erected in front of the hospital, and when the hospital closed, it was later moved to the front of the Legion Hall. In 1960, the Branch purchased the present lot at 114 Bellamy Avenue. John Cook, the member who had supervised the construction of rooms in the rink, presented plans for a new Legion building. The design was approved and erected by volunteer members under his supervision, and construction was completed in early 1961. The local cemetery had been neglected. John Cook was chosen to supervise improving the Veterans' section. Arnold Davis arranged help from Veterans Affairs. The work resulted in a monolithic pour for the Veterans' section and placement of monuments on all veterans' graves. This improvement encouraged the town council to hire a permanent caretaker for the cemetery. Branch members have served as zone and district commanders, and have been active in inter-Branch activities. Branch 122 participated in and also hosted many curling events, golf and dart contests. When Veteran's needed help, the Branch supplied housing for several and helped others in financial need. For sixty years, the Branch has held public annual Remembrance Day Services. Membership is presently down to 50 members, and few Veterans are able to march, or take an active role in Legion affairs. They must depend upon younger Associate members and Auxiliary to carry the torch. BIRCH HILLS BRANCH 122 (...Cont’d) The Branch originated as a member of the British Empire Service League. On September 10, 1929, the Branch received its Charter at Tuberose, Saskatchewan and was composed of Veterans of WWI and Boer War. It later became the Royal Canadian Legion after WWII. In its earliest days, the Branch did not have a hall of its own. The towns of Tuberose, Sanctuary, White Bear and Kyle alternated having meetings. Sometime in the early 1930s, a property was purchased at Kyle that had formerly been a garage (Melland Garage). At the time of this report, the Post Office occupies the space. After WWII, and the influx of new Veterans, the old hall was sold and a new one was built at its present site, starting in 1954. A ramp and new steps were built on the outside of the building in 1986. In 1987, the interior of the hall was redone with proceeds from the Estate of Comrade Roy Bryan. There is a photo display of local Veterans and Auxiliary in the hall, totaling 122 pictures. In 1951, the Legion raised funds to build a “Memorial" skating rink. This rink, which was located on Main Street, was demolished after a new combined curling/skating rink was built on the outskirts of town in 1985. The Branch awards academic and vocational scholarships to the local school; sponsors the Scouting Group; has provided uniforms to sports teams; supports the Provincial Track and Field Program; donates to the D.A.R.E. Program in the school; sponsor a sign at the sports complex, which is a yearly donation; in 2006, they donated $1,000 to the local Hospital Board toward the purchase of a defibulator. The main fundraiser for the year is the ham and turkey bingos and dice-roll held in the fall until Christmas. The Branch holds a service for November 11th at the community hall. Potluck lunch is served afterward for those wishing to stay for fellowship. In 1993, the Branch erected a cairn at Clearwater Lake Cemetery, Kyle district, in memory of all Veterans who served in all conflicts. At that time, a block of lots was set aside for a veterans' plot. The Senior Citizen's Group moved to the Legion Hall in November 2004. This move helped us to keep our hall open with their monthly rent. A washroom was constructed on the main floor of the hall for their convenience. A work-bee was held in February 2006 to paint the upstairs interior of the hall. The Branch has a membership of thirty in 2006, with a paid combined Treasurer/janitor. The Ladies' Auxiliary was granted their Charter on March 27, 1931. Twenty-three ladies were Charter members. The first meetings were held in the Grain Growers Hall. In 1937, the group moved to the hall purchased by the Legion. The group moved to the present hall in 1956. The ladies help the Legion with the annual bingos and dice-roll; hold an annual Poppy Day Tea and Bake Sale on the Saturday before November 11th. Proceeds from special draws of donated articles go to Veterans' Comforts and Veterans' Homes; they sponsor academic and vocational scholarships at the local school; support the provincial Track and Field Program; financially support an annual community fundraiser; in 2006, a project was done to place red maples leaves made of metal at graves of local Veterans. There are sixteen Auxiliary members in 2006. KYLE BRANCH 124
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