The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 243 The second meeting was held in the Secretary/Treasurer’s office on October 11, 1944, and the Executive was given the power to obtain a building of their own. The location of the building was on Main Street, and Joe Prucha donated the building. To raise money to furnish the building, a dance was held in the nearby village of Glidden on December 15th. Membership in 1944 was twenty-six members. In 1965, a motion was made by R. Gammage and Secretary by Wm. Kool that a lot on Railway Avenue be purchased for $300 and to build a hall 32’ x 40’ with a full basement. This building has served the Legion and the Ladies’ Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion ever since 1966. In 1990, the Legion had forty-nine members, but it has slowly dwindled in the past sixteen years, until now there are only five members, with the majority in their 80s. The Eatonia Legion has served the community in many ways over the years, helping out on Sports Day, taking part in parades, selling raffle tickets, holding bingos, acting as security for the Eatonia Trade Fair, etc., to raise money for various causes, sponsoring sports events, school contests, and always looking after their members’ needs, and the needs in the community. A Christmas Party was always a highlight of the year, with a supper, Santa and exchange of gifts. The Eatonia Ladies’ Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion was formed in 1955. Muriel Bondar was the first President and it had a membership of thirty. They served banquets for the Legion and Board of Trade once a month. A full Course Meal was $1.25. They served in a booth on Sports Day and every year held a much-anticipated Tea. Over the years, they aided many community activities such as Mental Health, TB Surveys, the arena, hospital, and sent girls to Dundurn Camp. They were always there for the support of the Legion. The Auxiliary was forced to close a few years ago due to lack of membership and the aging membership. EATONIA BRANCH 233 (...Cont’d) Branch #234 is located in downtown Lumsden, in the beautiful Qu'Appelle Valley, widely known for its annual Duck Derby. The Branch was founded in December 1944, by a group of WWI and WWII Veterans with sixteen charter members. The membership now stands at forty. The clubrooms in those first years were situated over the old curling rink. These quarters were not the most luxurious. One was too warm near the stove and a little chilly along the wall. In 1957, half of an army H-hut was purchased and moved to Lot 6 on 3rd Avenue. This marked the first permanent quarters of the Branch and Auxiliary. In the mid 1980s, the hut had an addition added on and was remodelled. With the help of the Auxiliary, money was raised to upgrade and furnish the hall. Together, they held Home Shows, Wild Game Dinners, Cribbage Tournaments, Bingos, Zone and District Curling and worked the “Fun-in-the Sun" booth. The members are proud of their hall; it serves as a pleasant and convenient facility for their own needs and is used extensively by the community. The Cenotaph is located on James Street as you come into Town. The Lumsden Legion Ladies' Auxiliary to the British Empire Service League was organized in March of 1950 with twenty-two charter members. In 1961, the name was changed to Ladies' Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion, Lumsden Branch #234. At present, the membership is eighteen. Both the Branch and the Ladies' Auxiliary volunteer their services and play an active role in supporting its Veterans, youth and seniors in the area, never losing sight of their obligation to remember those who fought and died for our freedom. We make regular donations to the Veterans Comfort Fund, the Legion Track and Field Camp and the school Language Award. In the early days, the Legion held an annual Fish supper for the Ladies' Auxiliary to celebrate their formation. The fish were caught in the Last Mountain Lake. Today, the supper is still held annually but fish is not always served. The Ladies’ Auxiliary reciprocates with a supper on November 11th to honor our Veterans. At present, the Legion relies on rental from the hall for income and the Ladies' Auxiliary have two annual fundraisers, the Mothers' Day Tea, and they participate in the Snowflake Bazaar. Our meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month, except July and August and Comrades are welcome to drop in if in the area. Each of the Branch members has treasured memories of former members and the good times and fellowship which has been part of the Branch. We look forward to many more years. LUMSDEN BRANCH 234
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