The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 255 The Legion and the Ladies’ Auxiliary ran weekly bingos for years. Members of both were, and still are, involved in curling and golf. Over the years, the Legion has sponsored ball and hockey teams, gave grants to students for sports camps and helped with the purchase of equipment for the hospital and nursing home. In 1947, the Community Hall burned down. The Legion raised $15,000 for the new building and so the hall was renamed - The Carlyle Memorial Hall. In 1978, the Legion bought their own building, an old schoolhouse. This building is still used by the Legion to this day. In 1979, Mrs. Eliza Beatty, a member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, was chosen as the Silver Cross Mother and laid the wreath at the National Memorial Cenotaph in Ottawa in memory of her two sons and all fallen soldiers. In 1980, the Legion presented memorial gates to the Glen Morris Cemetery. In 1995, the Legion and the Ladies’Auxiliary took part in the parade, which featured WWII memorabilia. In 2000, the Auxiliary Provincial Office was closed so the Carlyle Ladies’Auxiliary closed their books. Some members have since joined the Legion. In 2005, members began to assemble a memorial wall, consisting of pictures and a short write-up of Veterans who enlisted from Carlyle and area. This is an on-going project. The Legion, with volunteers, continues to support the local hospital and nursing home, the Cadets, student sports, and remains involved in curling and golf. At present, there are forty-eight members, including five Life members. CARLYLE BRANCH 248 (...Cont’d) Esterhazy Branch #249 received its charter on December 7, 1945, from Dominion Command, Ottawa. The original charter members are: R.D Allen, RJ. Banting, J. Brown, L.H. Burrill, W.F. Clements, J.V. Cozens, H.W. Flook, R.J. Helme, C.J. Larson, W.M. Lobb, J. Lucas, J. Lukiwski, R.J. Montague, D.J. Moodie, G.F. Paulger, R.J. Pearson, J. Rocen, W.E. Spence, W. Stadnyk and W.J. Walker. The first officers elected in January 1946 were: President, James Brown; 1st Vice-President, Robert Montague; 2nd Vice-President, James Cozens; Secretary/Treasurer, Herb Flook; Sergeant-at-Arms, Sandy Lukiwski; Executive member W. Jerry Lobb, H. Burrill, Curt Larson and Robert Helme. One of the first orders of business for the new Branch was to apply for an Honorary Life Membership for Happy Young, who operated a cafe in Esterhazy. During the war years, he spent much time and money sending packages to servicemen overseas. Membership in the Branch continued to grow. Records show that in 1974, there were 243 members. Membership has continued to decline with the passing of the Veterans. The year 2006 shows 110 members. In 1970, the Ladies’ Auxiliary #249 was formed. Original charter members include: Ella Busch, Mary Gulka, Adeline McDonald, Julia Moore, Ethel Orosz, Frances Peterson, Dorothy Bye, Norma Hamilton, Dorothy McLeod, Doris Nicholson, Jean Pask, Selina Pawelko and Betty Quesnel. The Auxiliary cooperated with and assisted the Legion in carrying out its aims and objectives. Through the years, the Auxiliary raised money by catering to banquets, holding bake sales, and Remembrance Day teas. Cookbooks were sold and raffles conducted in addition to other activities. This money was used to improve the facilities in the hall, and donate to local programs. In all, the Auxiliary raised and donated over $70,000. In 1964, the Branch purchased the Esterhazy Community Hall. After extensive renovations and surviving a fire in 1968 that gutted the interior, they now have an air-conditioned facility with a fully stocked kitchen and hall that can accommodate two hundred persons. A lounge in the lower level provides a relaxing area for members to enjoy. One wall in the lounge displays over three hundred pictures of service personnel from the Esterhazy area. The Branch also maintains a Cenotaph Peace Park. On the cenotaph is listed the Honour Roll of Veterans: World War I - Frank Simpson and Walter Park World War II - Garnet Turcotte, Allen Jepson, Latimer Bernanski, Paul Kurucz, James Stack, Truman Dahle, Harvey Moloski, Ludvig Urba, Harvey Tochor, Anthony Kellner, Alick Watt The Branch has always been involved with community affairs, and has sponsored minor sports teams and tournaments and open and closed scholarships to students of Esterhazy High School. They have donated substantial amounts of money. Hospitals in Esterhazy, Yorkton, Melville, and provincial hospitals in Regina and Saskatoon have received over $150,000 from Esterhazy Branch 249. In 2005, the town of Esterhazy was approached by the Branch and requested that as both the Legion Hall and the Cenotaph and Park are on 2nd Avenue, in honour of the "Year of the Veteran," the Avenue should be renamed. The Town agreed, and 2nd Avenue is now named "Veterans Avenue." ESTERHAZY BRANCH 249
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