The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command LEST WE FORGET 43 The Assiniboia Branch received its charter on October 8, 1926. According to early records, Branch meetings were held in various locations. In 1934 a suitable hall was rented above the old liquor store. It was furnished and meetings were then held there. The Branch later moved to the Elk’s Hall, which was rented for $7.50 per month with the Ladies’ Auxiliary paying half of that. In July 1934, $1.00 was sent to a Branch in Golden, BC, who were in financial trouble at the time. The Branch has been the sponsors of the Air Cadets since 1941. In 1952, the Branch held dances to raise money to build a new swimming pool in Assiniboia. The 49th Parallel Days celebration, as it is known today to all local Legionnaires, was originated in 1954 as a result of a little girl from Assiniboia who needed a very delicate heart operation that was to be performed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, NY. Assiniboia Legionnaires made donations of blood available for the girl to complete her operation and from that day forward the Canadian/US members have met for socializing on a yearly basis. In 1956, construction began on the new Assiniboia Branch building after years of fundraising work It opened in June of 1958. In 1967, a “Burning of the Mortgage” took place with a very impressive ceremony and dance. In 1970, renovations were needed and completed. Then open houses were held to give the public an opportunity to see and learn more about the work and accomplishments of the Legion. In 1979, a wheel chair van was purchased to make it easier for the seniors of the community to partake in Legion and community events. The van has been used extensively and is operated by volunteer drivers. The accomplishments to the community over the years has been extensive for our Branch. Some of them are as follows: sponsorship of cubs and scouts, air cadets, donations to minor hockey, united appeal, telemiracle, Santa Claus parade, scholarships for music festivals, scholarships for mathematics, donations to the civic centre, donations to both swimming pools in the town, a ward at the new Union Hospital, contributions to the town playground, upkeep of the cenotaph, sponsorship of students to the track and field camps. The Branch holds successful November 11th and poppy and wreath campaigns yearly and all money collected is used only for veterans and veterans’ dependents in need or distress. It is also used for war veterans and their dependents who are bereaved, hospitalized or confined to home or an institution. Assiniboia has always held Remembrance Day Services to honour the fallen and have carried out an educational program in the schools to keep as many people as possible remembering. At present, membership stands at approximately 100 members and is going strong. Some of our members are spread across the country. LADIES’ AUXILIARY TO ASSINIBOIA BRANCH 17 The minute books of the Ladies’ Auxiliary go back to the first meeting held in the town hall on October 8, 1930. The Auxiliary was formed and has been one of the most active in the Province. They met twice per week in town facilities and members’ homes. They assisted with the Poppy Campaigns doing the door-to-door canvassing. They held dances and whist drives and sold candies and popcorn at the local Olympia Theatre. They supplied eye glasses, shoes, prescription medicine, winter clothes, groceries, special food diets and coal during the ‘Dirty 30’s’ for those in need. When the second world war was declared, they raised funds to send parcels overseas. These young men numbered well over a hundred at the time for their area. While doing this, they continued to support the needs of those at home who were hospitalized or needy. They even sewed diapers and baby clothes and knitted jackets and bonnets for community children. They sponsored blood donor clinics and sent comforts to the Veterans Wing at the Regina General Hospital. They sent layettes to hospitals in Great Britain. While all this was going on, they promoted and bought victory bonds hoping for the day when the conflict would be over. The ladies also assisted the men in the purchase of their new Legion building. There has been a steady growth of the Ladies’ Auxiliary since those days. Once the boys returned, they continued on with community work, such as donations to nursing homes, the skating rink, swimming pools, providing scholarships, veterans’ comforts, music festivals, etc., and catering to banquets and the annual Poppy Day Tea and Bake Sale. In August of 1980, the Ladies celebrated their 50th Anniversary of service to their Veterans and dependents and to the community of Assiniboia and District. A gala banquet and dance was held in conjunction with the Assiniboia’s homecoming celebrations. Since then, they have continued their busy life of service. They recently donated $1,000.00 toward the Junior Hospital Auxiliary birthing bed and they annually sponsor five handicapped children to summer camps at Manitou Beach, and this past year they sponsored five students to the Provincial Track and Field camp in Saskatoon. They continue to sponsor blood donor clinics to this day. They continue to decorate War Veterans’ graves yearly. November 11th is still their most important day, when they remember the young men who paid the supreme sacrifice. The Branch is still their main concern and they are behind them 100% in whatever they are doing and what they decide for the future. ASSINIBOIA BRANCH 17
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