Royal Canadian Legion Branch 244 Hemmingford

Continuation from Volume 9 – No. 1 by Karl Kramell  (June 2017)

Branch 244 is part of District # 13 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Quebec. For the first time members of our Branch became officers in the District when Florence Ellerton was appointed Secretary-Treasurer in 1993, Vice Commander in 1996, and District Commander in 1998, Robert Chambers was appointed Honoury Treasurer in 1996.

For the past several years the Branch has given donations to the Elementary School for the Apple Program. The Branch took an active part in the Old Home Week celebrations and organized a cribbage tournament for all citizens and Chicken BBQ under the community tent in the public parking area, a legion float for the parade and, open house at the Legion Hall to promote the purpose of the Legion.

The tradition of Remembrance is important to Canada and our Community, and every year five important events occur to honour those who paid the supreme sacrifice while we, individually, have the opportunity to reflect on the futility of war and how we can prevent future conflicts. We must ensure that Remembrance Day receives the respect it rightly deserves and thereby maintain its place among the great traditions of our country. To remember our veterans, the Legion holds a Remembrance Day Service every year on the Sunday before November 11 in a local church or school and a wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph and a service on November 11 at 11am at the Cenotaph. Services are also held at the Cenotaph on May 8 for VE Day (Victory in Europe) June 6, D Day (Departure Day) Invasion of Normandy and, August 9, United Nation Peace Keepers Day. On July 1st every year or June 6 the members of the Branch remember their comrades by placing a Canadian Flag on every Veterans grave in all cemeteries in Hemmingford. The Canadians who died believed in a better future. It is up to us to take up the torch and work for this future.

It is important that this tradition continues, and this task can only be accomplished when our children have an appreciation of the need for Remembrance Day. Each year Branch 244 sponsors an Essay, Poem and Poster Contest with National Rules. It is our hope that through the support of the schools all pupils may develop a real understanding and appreciation of Remembrance Day.

The Legion’s aim is to carry the torch, to commemorate the proud traditions of Canada’s Armed Forces on land, on sea, and in the air. These Forces have assisted in the growth and development of our country, have protected us from aggression, and have assisted in the liberating people of other countries from tyranny. Branch 244 is proud to uphold the Legion’s aims in Hemmingford.