The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 33 The Herschel Branch operated successfully through the 60’s and 70’s, but membership was dropping. In 1983, an associate member was elected President. Donations continued to the CNIB, Veterans Comfort Fund, Wheatbelt Centennial Lodge, the council for Crippled Children, Hall renovations, rink repairs, 4H clubs and a special raffle was held for the Paraplegic Association which garnered $1724.76 for their organization. In 1996, a motion was passed for the Branch to disband, but was not accepted so the Branch carried on and actually tried to rebuild. New officers were elected, donations were put on hold for a while, and activities launched to boost funds and morale. A membership drive brought in several new members and former Ladies’ Auxiliary members (as they had disbanded by that time) and now membership stands around 50. In rural Saskatchewan, many small towns have all but disappeared, which has caused a great impact on organizations such as the Legion. The future is not as certain as it was, but people have become adjusted to the new realities of existing in rural areas where distances are great and neighbors are scarce. The Branch members think they can still make a difference, and it will not be many years before WWII Veterans will be gone, and it will be up to the Associate members (sons and daughters, etc.) to keep the Legion alive. The future is always full of challenges, and changes always produce opportunities. Members of the Herschel Branch 7 think the next generation is up to the job! LADIES’ AUXILIARY TO HERSCHEL BRANCH 7 The Ladies’ Auxiliary to Herschel Branch 7 was organized on April 7, 1943 to assist the Legion Branch in various ways and to benefit the members of the Armed Forces from the district who were serving overseas with parcels from home. Charter Members were: Mrs. Edith Webb, President; Mrs. Alice Meints, Secretary; Mrs. Anne Aime; Mrs. Isabella Todd; Mrs. Eliza Stinson; Mrs. May Cheyne; Mrs. Phyliss McAurthur; Miss. Winnie Meints; Mrs. Edna Moore; and Mrs. Anna Tyson. Until the war ended in 1945, the members supported the Legion Overseas Parcel Fund and raised money to send parcels and wishes of cheer and Xmas greetings to local men and women serving overseas. The members used many diverse methods of raising funds for the parcels and the postage. When the war was over in 1945 some of the local boys were bringing brides home with them, so the Auxiliary organized welcoming teas to honour the "overseas brides," presenting each of them with a gift of welcome for their new home in Canada. The Auxiliary had a total of twenty-seven members at its peak, but by 1981, the number had declined to fourteen. In May 1968, they observed their 25th anniversary with a banquet and dance, and eight of the ten charter members returned to help celebrate the occasion. They also organized a banquet and dance to commemorate the Legion's fiftieth anniversary. They assisted the Legion Branch in all its social activities, aided in the sale of poppies, provided lunch for Legion dances and other functions, visited members in hospitals, supported Veterans Comfort Fund, Books for the Troops, and sent games and parcels to servicemen in Korean hospitals. They raised money for the Hall fund, donated hall chairs and funds for the furnace, and they did not stop at local things. They branched out to assist in aiding national disasters, floods in Europe, and assisted a local Veteran and his wife to take their sick child to a children’s hospital in Toronto. They also participated in sports. The Herschel rink won the Zone Curling cup nine times, and in the process laid an "eight ender" against a Saskatoon rink at the District Playdowns in Watrous. Sadly, the Herschel Ladies Auxiliary disbanded on May 31, 2000, citing drastic reduction in membership losses due to old age, and members leaving and joining the Legion Branches. Outgoing Provincial President, Sybil Clayton, observed the average age was well over sixty and probably closer to seventy. The Ladies’ Auxiliary to Herschel Branch 7 is sadly missed by the Legion Branches everywhere. Compiled and researched by Aubrey Ward. HERSCHEL BRANCH 7 (...Cont’d)
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