The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 253 The Royal Canadian Legion, White Fox #244, was organized on August 27, 1945. The first officers were President H.E. Wilson and Secretary/Treasurer Robert Bradshaw. Along with them, Veteran charter members were Bernard Holland, Robert Wilson, J.J. Cook, Steve Levitsky Sr., J.G. Irvine, and I. Wall. The Legion didn't have their own building until 1950. Before this, they met in any building they could rent. They purchased their original hall on August 7, 1950. They supported their community and the Air Cadets and held Remembrance Day services. A decline in numbers and advanced age resulted in the closure of the Branch in 2003. LADIES’ AUXILIARY TO WHITE FOX BRANCH 244 The Auxiliary was formed on February 20, 1946. The first President was Nellie Kroetsch; Secretary was Mary Hayes; Treasurer was Olive Green; standard bearer was Margaret Rusk; and pianist was Selma Mosure. Thirteen members were sworn in at the first meeting, rising to thirty by the end of the year. Meetings were first held in the Orange Hall and then moved to members' homes until the Legion Hall was built. Declining membership resulted in their disbanding. WHITE FOX BRANCH 244 ~ Closed The Duck Lake Branch was chartered on October 12, 1945. Past Presidents of the Branch are as follows: 1945-48 Comrade Joe Fisher; 1948-49 Victor Heidgerken; 1963-65 William A. Dumont; 1966-67 Archie Nicolas; 1968-69 WilliamA. Dumont; 1969-70 Len Doucette; 1971-72 Charles Dumais; 1973-74 Peter Fiolleau; 1975-76 John Gardiner; 1977-78 Len Doucette; 1979-80 William A. Dumont; 1981-82 Herman Dyck; 1983-84 William A. Dumont; 1985-88 Neil Pelletier; 1989-91 Omer Ranger; 1992-94 Dennis Williams; 1995-96 Neil Pelletier and 1996-present Omer Ranger. The Royal Canadian Legion was organized basically to support the needs of returning service personnel and their dependants and to perpetuate the memory of the fallen. Comrade Omer Courchene served as Secretary/Treasurer for some odd 20 years. Comrade Alana Anderson became Secretary in 1986. Locally, the Branch has become a community service club seeing to the welfare of the Veterans and spouses. They see to the maintenance of the Veterans’ plot and markers, have helped to support families in times of need, and made donations to the Nursing Home, Sports Clubs, the Cancer Society, etc. The annual Poppy Campaign has always been well supported in the area. In connection with this campaign, the Legion Literary and Poster contest has had many entries from local schools. The local Branch also awards a scholarship to a grade 12 graduate whose family has some affiliation with the Branch. In 1992, Rachelle Poirier became Treasurer, replacing her father, Comrade Omer Courchene, who is still active at the age of 96. Yearly Remembrance Day Services are well attended and services are also held at both the Elementary and High Schools. At present, membership stands at 33, many of whom are out of town and even out of the province. The Branch is still fortunate enough to have 5 World War II Veterans. DUCK LAKE BRANCH 246 The Carlyle Branch of the RCL was formed on August 13, 1945, after years of being part of a Branch made up of WWI members from Carlyle, Arcola and Kisbey. It was formed so returning WWII Veterans would have their own branch. The charter was issued on November 21, 1945, with twenty charter members. The meeting was attended by eighty-five Veterans, including thirty-seven WWII Veterans, seven being from White Bear. Lunch was served by the Ladies’ Auxiliary. A meeting of ladies interested in forming a Ladies’Auxiliary to the Carlyle Legion was held in the Masonic Hall on January 10, 1944. A fundraising dance was held in February. Tickets were 65 cents, including lunch. On April 4, 1944, the Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion issued the charter with seventeen charter members. Many activities were held in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Sports days, New Year’s and November 11th dances were celebrations organized by Legion members for fundraisers. The Ladies’ Auxiliary raised funds for the Red Cross, Veterans Comfort Fund and books for troops. One of their popular fundraisers was a play put on each year from 1956-1975. In 1986, in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the RCL, the local Cornerstone theatre group put on the musical "Til We Meet Again." CARLYLE BRANCH 248 (Cont’d...)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==