Royal Canadian Legion Greenfield Park Branch 94 Coverall

April was a relatively quiet month. There was a crib tournament on the 2nd and the monthly bingo on the first Wednesday. On the 30th the Friday night dart league held its season ending banquet (photos on page 16). The only other event was the Sunday Roof Fundraiser on April 10th which featured music by the Emotions and a shepherds pie supper.Seventy-three people attended. We made $515.00 to go towards the roof repairs and the leftover casserole was donated to Meals on Wheels.

As with most months May started with a bingo and a crib tournament in the first week. On May 7th The big screen in the lounge was lowered for the Kentucky Derby. Hors d’oeuvres were served and all present seemed to enjoy the race and the ambiance and the mood created. The next day, Mothers Day, saw the first U Cook bar-b-que of the season where for a modest price you get to cook your own steak and when its done to your liking, collect a baked potato and salad and sit down to enjoy the fruits of your efforts. This day was a little different in that our members provided the entertainment as can be seen on page 14. Special thanks go to Ted Danko who supplied the karaoke equipment and volunteered to run the show. The Legion Bowling League held its banquet on May 14th. The Ladies Auxiliary catered the event. Following the meal individual and team prizes were distributed.

The June crib tournament was moved back a week because of the annual branch open golf tournament on Friday June 3rd Golf tournament. 55 golfers competed and were then joined by 21 guests for a steak dinner. Fathers Day on June 19th witnessed the second U Cook of the season. The high light of the month was a visit to the branch by three Elvis impersonators on St. Jean-Baptiste Day. As seen in the photos on Pages 22 and 23 they put on a great show.

Photos in this issue supplied by Sylvia Bastien (Mothers Day, Darts and Senior Lunches), Andrea Main (Elvis and the Fashion show) and Shirley Miller (Initiation, Cheque presentation and Jean Harrison) and Norman Simard (Legion Coffee shop above, slightly doctored)

Comments or submissions for future Coveralls can be made by leaving a note addressed to “The Coverall”
with on-duty bartender or by E-mailing ecurbten@yahoo.ca.

Well summer has finally arrived. The beautiful sunny weather is here for all to enjoy.

There are many events coming in the month of July especially during the Centennial celebrations. Come on down to the Branch and enjoy the fun. Meet some of the people who moved away, catch up with old friends and make new ones.

The branch is alive and doing well with the new Friday morning coffee group. They come, chat for a while and help solve all the problems of the world. An interesting group to mingle with for sure.

There as been some complaints lately about the building. These same problems have existed a long time and I can assure everyone that they are being worked by the executive. If they were easy to solve they would have been fixed years ago. Give us the time and the space we need and all will be taken care of as soon as possible.

If there are complaints about anything the Executive would appreciate receiving them in writing. That way we can do a proper follow up. When executive members are at the Branch they too are there to enjoy themselves. Instead of verbally assaulting them with complaints (which they may forget or present incorrectly), please put it in writing to ensure that it receives proper attention. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

On a more personal note I want to thank all the members for the support they have given me during the last few weeks. You have offered to do many things for me and I appreciate it very much. You are truly good friends.

So now let’s get on with the summer fun and we will see you at the Branch.

Bernie Constantini
President

Eh bien, L’été est finalement arrivé! Le soleil est de retour parmi nous pour le bonheur de tous et chacun.

Plusieurs événements se dérouleront au cours du mois de juillet, particulièrement les fêtes du centenaire de Greenfield Park. Venez vous joindre à nous et vous amuser. Venez rencontrer les gens qui sont partis, remémorer avec de vieux amis et en créer de nouveaux.

La filiale est bien vivante et se porte à merveille grâce au nouveau groupe du café du vendredi matin. Ils viennent, parlent un peu et aident à solutionner les problèmes du monde. Sûrement, un groupe que vous gagneriez à connaître. Nous avons reçu des plaintes récemment à propos de l’édifice. Ces mêmes problèmes existent depuis longtemps et je peux vous assurer que les membres de l’exécutif les étudient pour les régler. S’íls étaient faciles à résoudre on aurait trouer des solutions depuis plusieurs années... Donnez-nous le temps et l’espace dont nous avons besoin et nous les fixerons le plus tôt possible.

Lorsqu’il y a des plaintes, les membres de l’exécutif apprécieraient les recevoir par écrit; de cette façon, ils pourraient y donner suite. Lorsque les membres de l’exécutif sont à la filiale, ils aiment eux aussi en profiter pour relaxer. Au lieu de les assaillir verbalement avec des plaintes (lesquels ils peuvent oublier ou les présenter incorrectement), veuillez les faire parvenir par écrit afin de vous assurer qu’elles reçoivent l’attention qu’elles méritent. ‘Merci pour votre collaboration avec ce dilemme.

Sur une note plus personnelle, j’aimerais remercier tous les membres pour leur encouragement au cours des dernières semaines. Plusieurs m’ont offert de m’aider et je l’apprécie beaucoup. Vous êtes de vrais bons amis.

Maintenant profitons de l’été et au plaisir de se voir à la Légion.

Le président,
Bernie Constantini

The talents of our members and their families are featured. From the photos taken on Mothers Day (Page 14) it is evident that a number of our members put their talents on display. It seemed appropriate to include “My Canada” in a July 1st edition of the Coverall. This poem was composed by Joe Bockus’ wife Alice. It can be found on page 10. And of course we couldn’t let the talents displayed by Richard Amos and Terry Smith slip the attention of our readers. (Page 15)

There is nothing new to report on the Save St. Annes campaign but we have included an article by Sean Bruyea which appeared in the Toronto Globe and Mail in June. This highlights how Canada lags behind the Americans when it comes to taking care of its veterans. A lot of work still needs to be done on behalf of our veterans and those still serving. We have a core group that believes that St. Annes must remain a Federal institution.They are doing everything they can behind the scenes to make our government understand the need and importance of keeping St. Annes as it is. (Page 20)

The photo on page appeared as one of a series in a recent post on the Greenfield Park Blog under the Heading “Looking for some names”. It appears to be a Remembrance service. Perhaps some of our long time members can provide us with the when and where.

Dear Canadian Veteran,

I am a living historian based in the UK and would very much like to contact WWII veterans from Canada. I am part of a small group that implores people to remember the contributions of the British and Canadian veterans of the war. I can be reached at the following address:

Thomas Jones
24 Norlands Park,
Widnes, Cheshire, England
WA8 5BH
(Phone: 01514241952)

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

DAVE BALLER

Finally the nice weather has arrived, Spring has sprung and hopefully summer is soon approaching! Thank you Jim Young for doing some very necessary repairs to the men’s room downstairs and also for donating the “morning glory flower seeds which were planted along the fence line. The flowers are now starting to come up! Al Cleary thanks very much for repairing one of the patio chairs and also the big colander in the kitchen. Henry Frail, the work that you did to repair, sand and re-stain the chairs for the back deck was much appreciated. Thanks Shirley Chaif for the nice touch of donating the flowers for the back deck. After the windstorm when one of the canopy’s was torn beyond repair, Jim Gingera thoughtfully donated another one to the Legion. To Rob Forbes, Lew Brown, Jim Bechard, Jim Young and Pat White who have had a hand in lots of things that are done around the branch without being noticed, thank you very much. Many thanks to Ross Harvey for planting the lovely flowers planted along the front path entering the Branch and also to Patrick White has been keeping the lawns nicely trimmed for us. Someone mentioned to Randy that the picnic tables might need a coat of paint, the paint was bought and now thanks to Glen Cantwell they look a lot better than they did. To all that help out in any way that they can, thank you

On behalf of the Ways & Means I would like to thank everyone that supported our branch functions throughout the past months. Without your support and the help of some very dedicated members and friends of the branch that volunteer on a regular basis, it would not be possible to continue running the functions that we do.

For those of you that missed our “Elvis” event on the 24th of June, if you speak to some of the people that attended, you certainly will not miss the next one. The THREE invited Elvis’ put on a great three and a half hour show. The hall was “electrifying” Thank you Shirley Chaif and Ann Broden for arranging this happening and seeing it through from start to finish, along with your team, Naomi Malo, Monique Lebel, Gail Howell, Kyle Broden and James Malo. We look forward to another show in the spring of 2012!

July 1st Steak BBQ will be hosted by Shirley Chaif, Ann Broden and Naomi Malo. Once again, Perry has volunteered to cook the steaks and Celina has also volunteered to decorate the cakes and will take care of the clean-up duty. Thanks to all of you for your help! Johnny Disco will be playing his music and I am sure that everyone that attends will have a great time.

Don’t forget to bring your friends to the branch if there is a special event you would like to see on the “big screen” in the lounge. Groups 10 or more are more than welcome to watch the “big screen”.

Remember to check the bulletin board for details on any upcoming events!

Sunday, August 28th - Members Appreciation Afternoon
Saturday, October 29th – Branch 94’s Special Fashion Show!

Once again, thank you all for your continuous support
Cheryl Moores

Thanks to your support we were able to raise a total of $680.00 to be used to help defray the cost of the Vet’s Picnic at Ste. Anne’s on August 6th.

Again this year the L.A. joined the Greenfield Park Girl Guides on the evening of May 4th to raise money for Breast Cancer Action Montreal. We believe it is important for us to join with the young ladies in our community to raise money for this prevention program. Every year the Girl Guides sponsor a walk the first Wednesday in May. Our May Bingo coincides with this event. Some of the ladies walk while others are busy at the Branch working at the Bingo. Proceeds from the Bingo are donated to this cause. At our General Meeting on June 15th President Francine Cantwell presented Andrea Strom-Rancourt a representative of BCAM with a cheque in the amount of $500.00.

On August 6th we will be heading to Ste. Anne’s for our annual picnic. If anyone is interested in joining us please contact Francine Cantwell as space on the bus is limited. Again this year we will be providing music, food and gifts.

Our next Bingo will be held on Wednesday September 7th.
Our next General Meeting will be held on Wednesday September 21st.

Remember to visit our lending library in the games room. Many good books to choose from for your summer reading

L.A. President Francine Cantwell and Treasurer Shirley Miller presenting Andrea Strom-Rancourt from BCAM with $500.00 cheque at L.A. General Meeting June 15th. (See L.A. report on facing page)

I am a proud Canadian,
My fervor never fails.
Not just today, but everyday
My faithfulness prevails.

I love the red, I love the white.
I hold the colours high.
For me it is a pure delight to see our banner fly.

To hear our anthem proudly played
Is sweetness most sublime.
The feelings of our hearts displayed
In rhythm and in rhyme.

So, lets be thankful for this land, where we are truly free
To walk together hand in hand for all to clearly see...
Our pride, our love, our strength of heart...
The greatest land of all.
And you and I must do our part to see we never fall.

from coast to coast, from north to south,
Regardless of our race...
Our colour, creed or heritage,
All share this wondrous space.

R.C.E.L. Fund which helps our Veterans in the Caribbean............$400.00

Ogilvy’s Christmas Tree Fund
(provides gifts for Ste. Anne’s Hospital patients)...............$400.00

Music Trust Fund
(provides entertainment for the patients at Ste Anne’s Hospital)........ ..$400.00

Quebec Command Service Bureau.....................$400.00

(Items 1 – 4 are a yearly request from Provincial Command and were presented at the Provincial Conference May 22nd 2011)

Branch 94 volunteer drivers. (To help defray the cost of gas).........$500.00

H.O.P.E (Local community food cupboard)...................$500.00

Bursaries for Greenfield Park graduating H.S. Students.............$3,000.00

Greenfield Park Christmas Baskets.....................$1,000.00

Ste Anne’s Veterans Hospital Special equipment................ $5,000.00
(Special hoist to lift disabled patients in and out of the dentist chair safely and comfortably.)

Meals on Wheels............................. ..$500.00

Donation to the Greenfield Park Cadet Corps 1979.............. $250.00
(For their support during the Poppy Campaign)

Charles Lemoyne Hospital.............................$3,000.00
(Special Geriatric Chair for older clientele in the Oncology Dept)

For the past 10 years the Poem, Essay & Poster ( P.E.P). “Awards Ceremonies” were held in our branch. In the last two years students found it difficult to attend.

Consequently, Judith Elson the teacher responsible for organizing this contest every year, asked if it would be possible to hold the Awards Ceremonies at the High School...

Well we tried it and it worked out well. Only one student failed to attend.

Unfortunately, the change was made at the last minute and we didn’t have time to advise everyone.

Some Veterans did attend. They thought it was a nice change and felt that we should consider holding it at Centennial from now on.

Special thanks go to Judith Elson for her support over the past 10 years.

These awards are much more meaningful to the students when our veterans and legion members are present to show their support. A special “Thank You” to Richard Teaque, Don Giroux, Ben Milhomme, Harry Devey, our 1st VP Lew Brown and Joe Rodgers who lead us in the Singing of “O Canada” with great enthusiasm.

Once again “Thanks, your support was greatly appreciated.”

Classified ads
(Business card size—$25.00/1/2 page—$50.00/ full page—$100.00)

Well we have come to the time of the year when we can enjoy a few months off.

I would like to thank everyone who participated during the year whether it be the Friday Night Dart League or the monthly Crib tournaments.

I would like to extend my great appreciation to Richard Jodoin the other half of the dart committee for these many years.

Additional thanks to Jean Vermander, Julie Brault who took care of the weekly half and half, Allan LeCouffe for making sure we have chalk, Richard Ford for supplying the chalk and to everyone else who helps during the year especially with tiding up at the end of each night.

The legion's annual Golf Tournament was held on June 3, 2011 we had 55 players and 76 people for supper. The weather cooperated and everyone seemed to have enjoyed their day on the greens. Afterward, everyone enjoyed the meal, prizes and the evening.

To the Ladies Auxiliary of RCL Branch #94 on behalf of the various events that you support me during the year "hats off" and all you're the hard work that is appreciated.

Lastly, to Bill my better half who over the years has gone from being in the background to helping me out and assisting me with all the events I organize and especially with the annual golf tournament.

Hope everyone enjoys their summer and don't forget to check the coverall or our website to see when the Friday Night Darts resume and our Monthly Crib Tournaments in September. See you then.

Carol Ann Giroux
Sports Chairperson

First Vice President Lew Brown accepts $1000 cheque from Friday Night Darts Carol Giroux and Richard Jodoin

Calendar for July 2011 THIS IS THE ONLY TIME WE WILL SEE AND LIVE THIS EVENT

This year, July has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. This happens once every 823 years. This is called money bags.

So, forward this to your friends and money will arrive within 4 days. Based on Chinese Feng Shui. The one who does not forward.....will be without money. It's a mystery

This year we will have 4 unusual dates. 1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, 11/11/11 + that's not all, take the last 2 digits of the year you were born in - now add the age you will be this year, the result will be 111 for everyone! This is the year of Money! Good luck

"I GET BY GIVING"

THINK GREEN

HOW WASTEFUL THE OLDER GENERATION WAS

In the line at the grocery store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags weren't good for the environment. The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day."

The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation didn't care enough to save our environment." He was right, that generation didn't have a green thing in its day.

Back then they returned their milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled. But they didn't have the green thing back in that customer's day.

In her day they walked up stairs because they didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks. But she was right, they didn't have the green thing in her day.

Back then, they washed the babies diapers because they didn't have the throw away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts - wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers and sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that old lady is right they didn't have the green thing back in her day.

Back then they had one TV, or radio in the house - not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen they blended and stirred by hand because they didn't have machines to everything for them.

When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then they didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she's right, they didn't have the green thing back then.

They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But, they didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a beamed signal from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful the old folks were just because the didn't have the green thing back then?

Why do we neglect our veterans?
From Thursday's June 9, 2011 Globe and Mail
SEAN BRUYEA

Sean Bruyea is a freelance journalist, an advocate for the rights of disabled veterans and a retired intelligence officer who served in the Persian Gulf War.

For the first time in decades, a federal election witnessed all parties promising assistance for our serving
and retired Canadian Forces personnel. Debate on the issue quickly died, but the problems confronting
our veterans remain painfully alive.

Those problems escalated in 2006 when a 90-year proven system of payments for lifelong injuries was unilaterally replaced with a one-time lump sum. Studies by Queen’s University and Veterans Affairs Canada’s own advisory groups show that, when all benefits are counted over the lifetime of the injured soldier, the lump-sum program pays out about half of what the lifetime payments provide.

But it isn’t just about money. This lifetime commitment provided the security that injured veterans needed to pursue opportunities to make their lives somewhat whole again.

Returning Second World War veterans were treated better. All of them, injured or not, were provided comprehensive income assistance as well as extended medical and dental care. All were given a choice of land, housing and farm grants, schooling and income assistance or a generous government credit to help them optimize their potential to fully participate in the society for which they’d sacrificed so much.

If the veterans were injured, they were also given lifetime payments for pain and suffering as well as comprehensive medical care.

Inexplicably, only lifetime payments and scaled-back medical care were granted to injured Canadian Forces veterans. Now, these lifetime payments have been replaced with the one-time lump sum. Injured and retired Canadian Forces members and their families have never understood this discrimination. Why would a veteran who had multiple tours in the Persian Gulf War, Cyprus, the Golan, Rwanda, Yugoslavia and/or Afghanistan that spanned 10 or 20 years receive none of the benefits of a Second World War veteran who may have enlisted for only a year safe in Canada or spent only one day overseas?

Although the casualty rates for the Canadian army in the Second World War are more than 10 per cent, the rates for the 700,000 serving and retired members of the Canadian Forces are 7.5 per cent (46,000 and climbing). They are higher than the Second World War casualty rates for service in the navy (2.1 per cent) or the air force (6.9 per cent).

Canada understood that the rigours of military service meant that all those serving needed Comprehensive assistance to transition out of uniform. Just as civilians need basic training to enter the military, our soldiers need basic training to re-enter civilian life. Canada also understood that we must mobilize a nation to care for our returning soldiers.

This investment in our veterans was repaid many times over. University campuses doubled their enrolments in only five years. The energy and skills of returning soldiers fuelled Canada’s economy and social machinery. Veterans’ programs produced almost 3,000 doctors, 5,000 teachers and 8,000 engineers, not to mention 85,000 veterans entering more than 250 trades.

Sadly, these programs were denied to our country’s 700,000 serving and retired Canadian Forces personnel. Instead, those who retired have had to muddle through life without any universal programs. Those under the lump-sum program returning from Afghanistan are particularly affected. Veterans Affairs’ own studies show that the lump-sum recipients are having far greater difficulty adapting to civilian life. These veterans and their families have incomes not only lower than those uninjured but lower than the recipients of the lifetime monthly pain and suffering payments.

South of the border, the U.S. has put Canada to shame for more than 50 years, providing postsecondary schooling to almost 23 million military men and woman and their families. Last year, when issues affecting our injured and retired Canadian Forces personnel made headlines, the government promised $2-billion. The number even made it into the budget, but not into the accounting. That’s because this $2-billion represents $40-million annually over 50 years, an amount to be paid long after most of us will be dead.

While the costs for the F-35 fighter planes are being grossly underreported, commitments to care for our injured and retired Canadian Forces members and their families are being overreported in some bizarre multigenerational hyperbole. Must we now have a rule against politicians taking credit for funding commitments that exceed the lifespan of the recipients?Canada is all too willing to accept debt in sending young Canadians to war.

Why can’t we make a modest fiscal sacrifice in welcoming home those who’ve already made the sacrifice caring for us?

The Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services (CFPFSS) are excited to launch the newly created Community Outreach program here in Ottawa. Our goal is to develop the Canadian Forces morale and Welfare Program for former Members to promote a sense of community by fostering opportunities that enhance quality of life and overall well being.

I have spoken with you all on an individual basis over the past few weeks and months. I am thankful to you all- for taking the time to sit with me to discuss programming and areas of need for our Canadian Forces Retirement Community, Older Adult and Aging Communities. Your time and wisdom were much appreciated, and I look forward to continuing a positive working relationship with you in the future.

The program is now ready to be launched, and at this time I would like to ask for your assistance in helping spread the word. With all of our Networking recourses I believe this program will be a huge success, and that we will be able to reach our desired target market. Enclosed in this email I have attached some “Reconnect” banners, and posters, in both official languages. The site is now live, and can be accesses at www.reconnect-cf.ca or www.renouer-fc.ca Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the site; so you understand the scope of our programs and services offered.

I can deliver hard copies of our posters to your locations, if you would prefer. Please call me/email me to make arrangements.

This will be a pilot project spanning a two year period. We hope that it proves to be a success so that this service delivery model can then be rolled out to other CF communities.

I believe the best mean of publicizing this wonderful program is through building a Networking web of all of our supporters and colleagues. There are also press releases, and newspaper articles going out through different levels of multi-media.

If you are able to assist us by posting our banner on your community website, social networking, or by placing a poster in your service/outreach location we would be greatly appreciative. Please feel free to send out our link and information to your community partners.

At this point in time if you know of any associations or organizations that would be interested in working with us; please have them contact me, or forward on our information.

Thank you for your time and assistance, I look forward to hearing from you.

Kindest regards,

Lesley Lehman
“In strength and numbers we will succeed “

Lesley J Lehman
Retirement Community Outreach Coordinator
Director General Personal and Family Support Services
Ottawa, Ontario
613-995-3964
Lehman.Lesley@cfpsa.com

This edition of the Coverall is a copy of the printed version, which is initially posted at the branch and published by Bruce Robertson.

Coverall July 2011