The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 265 An update on Legion activities since 1983 (with help from the minute book). The Legion assisted the Ladies’ Auxiliary with planting poppies and other flowers around the local cenotaphs in Viscount and Plunkett. This was continued until the Ladies disbanded. Sixty-year commemorative medals were presented to Veterans and Auxiliary members for their continuous contribution to the community. Medal recipients were: Ervilla Brown, Phyllis Colhoun, Robert Dale, Ed J. Morelli and Otto Shoemaker. The 75th Anniversary of Saskatchewan was also celebrated in 1985. Viscount held a busy day of various activities, including a parade. The Viscount Legion, assisted by the Ladies’Auxiliary, built an appropriate float complete with a large cake, flag and members in their uniforms. In March 1986, a rally was held by the Legion in the Community Centre for Comrade Charlie Osterhout. He was planning to run from Viscount to Vancouver to arrive for the opening of Expo’86. The Legion sponsored him in this endeavor and gave him a rousing send-off. Charlie dedicated his run to Unity and World Peace. In 1986, John Rauckman constructed a scale model of the Cenotaph to be used for November 11th services held inside at the Community Centre. He also built small white wooden crosses engraved with the names from the Honour Roll. In 1988, on advice from Provincial Command, local Legions were to promote associate members to hold office. The local Branch elected Associate member Comrade Edwin Morelli to the office of SecretaryTreasurer. Comrade Dale Miller was elected to the office of President. Since 1993, Comrade John Dale and Comrade Edwin Morelli have been alternating holding the offices of President and SecretaryTreasurer (like their fathers before them). The Legion honoured a long-time devoted member, Past Zone Commander Ed J. Morelli, by presenting him with the Meritorious Medal in 1990 and the Palm Leaf in 1995. The Legion continues to support its Literary, Essay and Poster contests. Schools included are: Viscount Public School and Viscount Central High- now known as Viscount Central School, St. Alphonse School and Clavet School. Suitable films for Remembrance Day were made available from Provincial Command to show at all of the schools. In 1989 Viscount Legion donated a medical table to the Lanigan Nursing Home. Legion members, under the guidance of Comrades Edwin Morelli and Doug Leigh, began a project of obtaining photos of all ex-service men and women in uniform from Plunkett and Viscount Districts. The photos that have been obtained (over 200 to date) are displayed at Plunkett Community Hall and Viscount Community Centre. Comrade John Rauckman volunteered to make the many photo frames needed. They are still seeking photos of over 40 service men. Contact the Legion if you have one of the missing photos. In 2000, a Korea Veteran’s plaque was installed on the Cenotaphs at Plunkett and Viscount. The Viscount Legion continues to support the Lanigan Cadets. Local members of the cadets carry the flags at Remembrance Day services. They, accompanied by able Veterans, also march after the Service to deposit the wreaths at the Cenotaph. Dundurn Militia members attended the Remembrance Day Service in 2001. Dutch medals were presented to all of the service men (known from the area) who had served in Holland. Deceased Veteran’s spouses received their husband’s medal. Willem de Lint, CM, Dutch Consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Regina, SK, was instrumental in sending out the medals to all Legion Branches that requested them. The recipients graciously accepted these medals. The annual Christmas dinner for Veterans and Auxiliary members, which had been enjoyed in Viscount for many years, has now expanded. With so many locals moving to Saskatoon, the members decided to hold the meal there. Former Plunkett and Viscount residents, now living in Saskatoon, joined Viscount Legion members for a lively get-together and festive meal, with thirty to forty attending. The former Auxiliary members (now Nutana Auxiliary members) are in charge of arranging for the meal at Justin’s Restaurant and providing a small favor. Viscount Legion members were active on the 2005 Centennial Celebration Committee. The local citizens support the annual Remembrance Day Service, so it will continue to be held. The Legion is very grateful to the local businesses in Plunkett and Viscount that have supported the poppy and wreath sales. This Poppy Fund is used for needy Veterans and local aid. In 2003, Viscount Legion received the Zone plaque for the highest increase in membership. Branch membership now sits at twenty-three, consisting of ten Ordinary members, and thirteen Associate members. There are seven Life members. Comrade Bert Colhoun has held membership in Viscount Legion for sixty years. Those close behind him are: Comrades Ed J. Morelli, with fifty-nine years; Esther Tallon and Oliver Austenson, with fifty-six years; and Grant Marcoux with forty-nine years. Branch members hope to continue to be a positive influence in the community of Viscount for many more years. LADIES’ AUXILIARY TO VISCOUNT BRANCH 271 Since the last history was written much has changed. Organized in March 1950, the Viscount Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary to Viscount Branch 271 functioned for 45 years until December 1995, when the Charter was surrendered. District representative, Doris Kool from Eatonia, SK, and Zone Representative, Lorene Graham, of Branch 78 of Saskatoon were present. The last meeting was held at the home of Phyllis Colhoun. The last Executive was elected in June 1995: President, Mary Hastie; 1st Vice President, Winnie Fink; Secretary, Phyllis Colhoun; Treasurer, Joy Rauckman; and Past President, Lionne Morelli. Life members include: (deceased before 1983) Alice Morphy, Gladys Tallon and Christine Charters. Ervilla (Morphy) Brown, Catherine Binding and Kate Osterhout are deceased Life members. Current Life members are: Evelyn Vanhouwe, Phyllis Colhoun and Joy Rauckman. Looking back over the books, it was noted that dues in 1950 were $2.00 per year and in 1995 they had raised to only $13.00 per year. They were kept deliberately low as it was felt the Ladies did all the work for fund-raising so why have high dues? Meetings were held every second Tuesday of the month, and this day was maintained even until the final meeting. Meetings were always a time for socialization. Meetings were quite often held in the members’ VISCOUNT BRANCH 271 (Cont’d...)
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