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1 CONTACT! Volume 7 Number 2 Tel: 613-591-5570 February 2018 President s Report Congratulations to the Ways and Means Committee on organizing a very successful Robbie Burns Celebration on Jan. 27 and Valentine s Dinner, Silent Auction and Dance annual charity event on February 10. Special thanks goes out to the Ways and Means Committee and the Ladies Auxiliary who together made these two events possible. Thank you to the Ladies Auxiliary on a job well done organizing the second annual Family Fun Day, Monday, February 19. Special thanks to Sgt. @ Arms, Bob Thomson, the Colour Party and Brenda Grant, bag pipes for their participa-tion at the legion tribute held for comrade Mike Channing on January 30. Many thanks to those who attended the tribute and/or the funeral service the next day. For those who might be interested, the Kanata Legion is hosting a Zone G6 Youth Education Public Speaking competition on Saturday, March 3, 9:30 3:00 Students from Grades 1-12 are invited to participate in public speaking topic of their choice.

2 It is amazing how well they do! Annual elections for a new executive will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 7:30 at the general meeting. All members in good standing (current membership) are encouraged to come out to vote, to consider nominating a fellow comrade to the Executive or/and running for an executive position. This is the opportune time to invest in the future of your Kanata legion! Consider what you can do for your legion! You have a say! You have a vote! Please refer to the Elections Nomination Committee submission in this issue for further information. Respectfully submitted, Lorraine Lapens e First Vice President Thanks to all who organized, volunteered and supported two great recent events at the branch. The Robbie Burns Dinner was well presented, great food, and lots of fun for us, and the audience, as we attempted the Strip the Willow highland dance directed by Brenda Grant.

3 And the Valentines Dinner and Dance, great music, delicious food and loads of love. A few things we have been working on: Space Task Force Gradually getting the storage cupboards sorted. The office reorganization and upgrades have been completed with the help of many hands and advice. Just a couple of odds and ends to sort out. We have come in under budget, leaving the funds needed for painting. Bingo Assistance As you are aware we have been running into some resistance getting volunteers; however, just recently a new member, Alex Osorio, has stepped forward and was trained by Cam Sorgini just this past Sunday. Cam has taken on the job as Assistant Bingo Support Coordinator. He has been able to combine some of the duties with other bingo volunteers to give everyone more breathing space between shifts. You will find Cam working at almost every game should you be interested in joining the team.

4 Leadership Development Workshop Report A workshop was conducted to come up with ideas to get members to take a more active part in the operation and activities of the Branch. We initially worked in small groups with presentations followed by open discussion. We came up with 25 ideas that are currently being compiled to be used as a guide for future planning. Did You Know The Branch elections are fast approaching and will be held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting at the Branch on Wednesday April the 18th starting at 7:30 pm. Ordinary, Associate and Affiliate Voting Members in good standing shall have the right to vote or hold office. Please support you Branch by coming out to vote. Bruce Judge First Vice President 2 Third Vice President Hello Comrades, A huge thank you to comrade Angie Jacklin, comrade Doug Rowland and the branch Bursaries Committee for their splendid efforts in revising our Bursary Program and the creation of the Bursary Policy.

5 Amanda Robbins Third Vice President Elections Nomination Committee Invitation Notice Elections for the 2018-19 Executive will take place at the April general meeting, April 18, 2018, 7:30 , at the Kanata Legion, 70 Hines Road, Kanata, Ontario All members in good standing (current year membership) are encouraged to come out to vote! The future of your Kanata Legion depends on you, its members! Elected Positions: President 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President, 3rd Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Six Executive Committee positions Sgt. @ Arms Chaplain All positions are a one-year term. The legion year begins June 1st and ends May 31st. Qualification to hold office: Ordinary, Associate and Affiliate voting members in good standing, shall have the right to vote or hold office at any level of the Legion. Consider running for the Executive and becoming more involved in making a difference in the future of our Kanata legion!

6 Consider nominating a fellow comrade one of two ways: 1. Nominations can be made in advance by completing an elections nomination form available in the lounge. The form requires the nominator s signature and the nominee s signature. 2. Nominations can be made from the floor during the elections. Nominees must be present. For further information, please contact Terry Jacobs, Chair, Elections Nominating Committee 613-836-1730 or Honours and Awards 2017 18 It is that time of year to consider who is deserving of an award for their volunteer work during the past legion year June 1, 2017, to the present. Service pins and Officer/Executive medals and bars are automatically issued. List of awards to nominate someone for: Appreciation Certificate Merit of Appreciation Certificate Service Medal Legionnaire of the Year Award Life Membership Meritorious Service Medal Palm Leaf To nominate someone for an award please fill out an Awards Nomination form available at the branch as soon as possible in preparations for the annual Honours & Awards presentations and dinner on Sunday, June 3, 4:30 Reception; 5:00 Awards presentations and dinner For further information, please contact Terry Jacobs, Chair, Honours & Awards Committee 613-836-1730 or Sergeant at Arms Report The Colour Party participated in a Legion Tribute for comrade Mike Channing at Capital Funeral Home & Cemetery on the 30th of January.

7 Thanks to all for participating. Our next CP event will be on the 3rd of March for the Zone Public Speaking at our branch, 10:00 start. We have our last of the season hockey game opening ceremony at the CTC on the 8th of March. One of my secondary jobs is that February is our branch s turn to help out at the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre. The 7th was Bingo Birthday Night, six of us were there. The 21st is Pub Night at the PRVHC. Thanks to all for volunteering for both events and especially Sue McLean for driving us in her van. We are always looking for new Colour Party people, no experience is required. John R. Thomson CD Sergeant at Arms Royal Canadian Legion 638 Kanata 613-831-8221 3 Public Relations You missed a great experience in January 2018 at the Canadian War Museum. Colonel(Ret) Patrick Dennis OMM, CD gave a fascinating overview on Canadian conscripts at war - 1918.

8 Consider becoming a member along with fellow legion members of this great organization and learn about the many facets of Canadian military history. Respectfully submitted, Moira Green Friends of The Canadian War Museum As you may be aware I took a fall and have broken my right arm therefore out of working commission for a while. This too shall pass. Sincere thanks to members and friends who are so kindly helping me out. V-E Day There will be a church parade to commemorate V-E Day on Sunday, May 6, at the 9:15 service at St Paul s Anglican Church, 20 Young Road, off Hazeldean. A reception will be held in Rutter Hall after the service. More details re parade form up to come. Please mark your agenda. A chance to share with our veterans and members within the greater community, to remember the fallen and to offer our thanks for the freedom we enjoy today.

9 Lest We Forget Moira Legion responds to Prime Minister s Comments at Edmonton Town Hall Terrance O'Hearn posted in Royal Canadian Legion District G. February 6 at 12:10pm In a Town Hall recently in Edmonton, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau angered many in the Veteran community when he responded that the Canadian government is still fighting certain Veterans groups in court because they are asking for more than we are able to give right now. These sorts of words are extremely insensitive to Canada s Veterans and reinforce a message that the government does not have an obligation to take care of Canada s ill and injured Veterans - and that Canada cannot afford it. Why then, do we continue to send our forces into harm s way if we are not willing to - or cannot - help them adequately upon return? This is inexcusable. In the Town Hall, the Prime Minister said the revised New Veterans Charter or Pension for Life plan - goes beyond what was offered in the Pension Act, and offers services, rehabilitation and supports to improve quality of life for the Veteran and their families and caregivers.

10 He also clarified that the government cannot return to the amount of money that was given before (through the Pension Act) without accounting for the money invested (in the New Veterans Charter) in services for Veterans. The government s plan for a tax-free pain and suffering award for Veterans is promising, but based on the limited details of the plan released to date, the Royal Canadian Legion strongly believes there are still areas for improvement. The plan must include definitive financial support, along with compensation in the form of services and benefits which together would equal what was offered in the original Pension Act. In addition, the most seriously ill and injured Veterans who cannot generate a comparable income, must receive lifelong financial security. The Royal Canadian Legion is hearing from Veterans who want and need better communication and direction in terms of what the future actually holds for them under this new plan.