Your Legion President and Executive have been very busy during the Covid Lockdown. To see what we have been doing, see our page labelled President's Reports.
It is with great sadness that we let you know that Rose Elsdon has passed on. She was a past president and such a cherished and integral part of our Legion and Ontario Command in a number of capacities over the years. There is a link to a wonderful tribute to her life by clicking on her picture to the right. Rose's cremation and funeral have already taken place.
Just prior to her passing, the Executive were fortunate to be able to do a drive-by 75th birthday visit and let her know we so appreciated her.
If you would like to see the presentation of the 'Lovely Bunch of Coconuts' shirt on Canada Day and to hear her sing her favourite song, please see the Canada Day pictures and video on our main page.
Good Afternoon Comrades,
Last week the Provincial Executive Council which includes the District and Zone Commanders for all of Ontario met in regards to Branch Elections.
After much debate Declaration #9 has been crafted and accepted and, as such, elections are still on hold pending a return to full branch operations. The situation will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis and once things change a new direction will come out.
If a branch has executive members that do not wish to remain in their current roles they are not required to do so and the succession as per the by-laws will be triggered.
While I can appreciate that this will be met with mixed reactions we need to keep the safety of our members especially our elderly members in mind. With the vaccine immunization starting to pick up some speed, the days of meeting in person as a group are on the horizon and until then we must do everything we can to protect ourselves and our members.
Yours in Comradeship
Crystal Cook
District E Commander
The Royal Canadian Legion
Ontario Command
We are pleased to announce that we have some wonderful new members that have joined our branch. Due to covid limitations, and social distancing, we had to spread the welcome ceremonies out over two dates. On October 7th we had five new members and on October 14th we had six new members. See below for pictures.
Presented with the 1st Vice President Bar
Presented with the Service Officer Bar
Presented with the 3rd Vice President Bar and Membership Bar.
Presented with the Past Officer Medal, Executive Committee Bar, and Public Relations Bar.
Presented with the Past Officer Medal, Executive Committee Bar, and Public Relations Bar.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
27 March 2020
Legion Branches, Ontario Command Continue to Support Veterans
The Royal Canadian Legion, Branches and Ladies’ Auxiliaries in Ontario Command continue to support our Veterans and their families through these trying times.
We understand that during this time of crisis there are needs and financial distress and we remind Veterans and their families that the Royal Canadian Legion is only an email away to assist. Our Provincial and Branch Service Officers will help in completing any applications for assistance free of charge.
Although our Branches and offices are closed to the public, we remain committed to provide the necessities for our Veterans. If any Veteran requires assistance they can contact their local Branch or contact direct to Ontario Command email rclontariocommand@on.legion.ca and if you provide your full contact information, someone will get back to you as soon as possible. We have Provincial staff, including Provincial Service Officers, working from home who are in contact with Veterans Affairs Canada on a daily basis.
Our Mission: TO SERVE VETERANS, WHICH INCLUDES SERVING MILITARY AND RCMP MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO PROMOTE REMEMBRANCE AND TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR COUNTRY.
For further information please contact email: rclontariocommand@on.legion.ca, or as listed below for individual staff:
Veterans Hot Line – 437-228-4747
Homeless Veterans Program – jkemp@on.legion.ca and/or psweeny@on.legion.ca
Service Bureau (Aurora) – mrohmann@on.legion.ca and/or adina@on.legion.ca
Service Bureau (North Bay) – sculling@on.legion.ca and/or rabud@on.legion.ca
Service Bureau (Kanata) – proyle@on.legion.ca and/or shannon@on.legion.ca
Service Bureau (London) – rhyndman@on.legion.ca and/or dsnyders@on.legion.ca
89 Industrial Parkway North, Aurora Ont. L4G 4C4
437-228-4747 Fax 905-841-9992 on.legion.ca rclontariocommand@on.legion.ca
On Saturday, 13 July 2019, a day which was one of remembrance, when we said goodbye to our comrade Don Patterson, four members of Branch 233 Orangeville got to open a very special box. This box came from a gentleman named Kelvyn Jenkins who lives in Wales and is a member of the Royal British Legion. In the box was a British Wooden Poppy. What a beauty it is. We have to thank Comrade Jenkins for the lovely Poppy as well as our own Comrade Rose Elsdon in whose name it was delivered to the Legion. It will be put in a place of honour. As we say, “Lest We Forget”, “We Will Remember” and we will REMEMBER.
All pictures show: Front left, Comrade Rose Elsdon, Past President, back left, Comrade Chuck Simpson, 1st vice, front right, Comrade Barry Kimber, President, back right, Greg Laing, Branch Piper.
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Despite having restricted attendees, Canada Day was lovely and we were delighted to have good weather.
Please relax and watch the whole event, and don't miss the presentations to Rosie and her lively singing of "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts'! The link button is to the right =>
COMRADES: HAPPY CANADA DAY!
FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR SOLICITOR GENERAL MPP SYLVIA JONES DUFFERIN/CALEDON FOR ATTENDING.
OUR LEGION IS STILL HERE DURING THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES, WE CONTINUE TO HELP OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
WE ARE CONTINUING HELP FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH OUR BURSARY PROGRAM WHICH ASSISTS THEM IN POST SECONDARY EDUCATION.
I HAD RECENTLY PARTICIPATED IN MY FIRST VIRTUAL ACR WITH 1849 LORNE SCOTS ARMY CADETS. I HAD THE PLEASURE TO PRESENT ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION CADET MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE TO MWO GRIFFIN SCULLINO. CONGRATULATIONS!
COMRADES, OUR BRANCH HAS HAD SOME STRONG CHALLENGES IN RECENT MONTHS AND RECENT DAYS. WE AS LEGION MEMBERS, ARE THE KEEPERS OF REMEMBRANCE. WE WILL PROTECT OUR MONUMENTS, OUR CENOTAPHS, OUR PARKS. IT'S OUR DUTY TO OUR FALLEN, VETERANS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND OUR HISTORY.
LEGIONS ACROSS CANADA ARE IN TROUBLE; I ENCOURAGE OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO FIND WAYS TO HELP. THE LOSS OF LEGIONS IN COMMUNITIES WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO OUR VETERANS, OUR SENIORS, OUR COMMUNITIES, AND OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
HAPPY CANADA DAY!
Copyright © 2019 RCL Branch 233 - All Rights Reserved.
Email: rcl233@rogers.com