The Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is growing and never was it so evident than at the Remembrance Day service on November 11.
One year ago, the branch was down to six members and it was impossible to cover the costs of operating the Legion Dugout (Hall), says Ian White, branch president. At the same time as the Legion was in difficulty, the Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets was also facing hard times since it was no longer being given space in the Canora Composite School.
When the community heard about the trouble both groups were having, many people came to their aid, he said. The Legion and the cadets entered into an agreement by which the cadets would be using the Dugout (Hall). Numerous people came forth wanting to join the Legion.
There were a number of veterans who had belonged to other branches who decided to transfer to Canora and the number of Canora residents, who are not veterans, who decided to join have saved the branch, White said. At Remembrance Day last year, the branch had six members. At Remembrance Day this year, it has 26 members and more are joining.
Those who are not veterans join as associate members, but that really means very little nowadays, White said. Associate members can hold the same offices as the veterans and are deemed the same in most every way.
Many of the new members have agreed to take on executive responsibilities, he said. Carol Sleeva is the secretary; Val Morozoff, treasurer; and Gina Rakochy, vice-president. White is the president and Paul Fransishyn is the poppy campaign chairman.
A lot has happened in the past year, White said. With the new partnership the cadet program has been able to move in and a strong work bee has been created between the legion members and the cadets and their parents and friends. The Legion bought the paint and the crew painted the whole building. The Crossroads Credit Union provided a $4,000 grant to replace the front doors and there is more work the Legion wants to do.
The main point to make is that this Legion branch went from six members to 26 members and the Provincial Command is very impressed, said White. There are a number of Legion uniforms on order and soon the uniforms will be much more prevalent around town.
