Jim Woodward was re-installed as the president of the Kamsack branch of the Royal Canadian Legion during the group’s annual installation of officers ceremony on January 10.
The meeting began with a supper and opportunity for everyone to relax and visit. Woodward installed most of the new executive members and then Robert Boudreau, the first vice-president, installed Woodward.
Once installed, Woodward discussed his vision for 2017 with a “state of the Legion’ address in which he identified some of the necessary requirements for the building and reminded members that they cannot take the organization for granted.
“We need everyone’s support to survive,” Woodward said. “It is very unfortunate to realize many service groups have digressed to near extinction and Kamsack can ill afford to lose these organizations because of the valued support they extend to the community.”
The Legion has been instrumental in supporting veterans and families for over 90 years and with the many new cases of PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) affecting all walks of life, the organization must remain vigilant in supplying awareness and support for many years to come, he said.
Woodward said that the Legion’s sponsorship of the Kamsack air cadet squadron would remain in place and commended the cadets on their visibility in the community.
He said that fundraising is crucial in all Legion branches but the Chase the Ace lottery is not an ideal fundraiser for Kamsack.
“Dollar raffles seem more successful and will be reviewed,” he said, adding that it is extremely hard for small communities to fundraise and maybe it is timely for all organizations and groups to team together and do a shared community event.
Woodward said the Legion would continue to support the scholarships that have been awarded in the past along with the summer camps for the ones that qualify again this year.
After saying that the executive would continue to look at levels of entertainment that could interest Kamsack and community, Woodward said that he has been approached to hold more shows similar to the Tina Turner Tribute that was held last year and would like to do something special for Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017.
The membership was reminded that the Legion will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canada with a meet-and-greet session on June 30.
He said that over 2,000 entries from the zone were submitted to the Legion’s annual Remembrance Day poem and poster contest in November and many outstanding submissions were forwarded to the district competition.
“Everyone should be commended for their efforts,” he said.
The Kamsack branch will be hosting the district rally in April, he said, adding that the provincial convention will be held in Estevan in October.
He concluded by thanking everyone for their continued support.
