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ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 105 CARDINAL

2007 Membership Cards are in!

$40.00

Early Bird draws Septmeber, October, November & December.

Buy early and try to get 2008 free!

Pick up at Legion Bar

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

The Cardinal Legion is located in a small community

south of the Nations Capitol of Ottawa and centrally

between Brockville and Cornwall Ontario overlooking the

majestic St. Lawrence River. We are the Legion with

the million-dollar view. From our licensed patio and

clubroom you can sit and watch ocean-going ships

and enjoy other pleasure craft as they pass by on the

river. Our motto is “Hospitality by the River” and

we welcome all visitors to our Branch with open arms

and comradeship.

In late May the membership elected a full slate of

Officers and Executive with a composite of members

who bring knowledge, experience and with renewed

ambition to continue to work with the membership as

a team to ensure that Branch 105 continues to serve

its veterans, membership and community.

The Executive is committed to ensure that

the Branch remains viable and financially secure

to ensure that we continue to serve our community

and provide a place for our veterans of today and the future.

When in Cardinal come visit us at our Branch and

enjoy our rich history, hospitality and scenic river.

You never know you may meet one of our local

personalities who will spin you tales of their life on

the river or their service to our country.

Yours in Comradeship

Dwane Crawford

President

THEY SHALL GROW NOT OLD AS WE
THAT ARE LEFT GROW OLD;
AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM NOR
THE YEARS CONDEMN.
AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN
AND IN THE MORNING,
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

History of the Poppy

Why was the poppy chosen as the symbol of remembrance for Canada's war dead? The poppy, an international symbol for those who died in war, also had international origins.

A writer first made the connection between the poppy and battlefield deaths during the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century, remarking that fields that were barren before battle exploded with the blood-red flowers after the fighting ended.

Prior to the First World War few poppies grew in Flanders. During the tremendous bombardments of that war the chalk soils became rich in lime from rubble, allowing 'popaver rhoeas' to thrive. When the war ended the lime was quickly absorbed, and the poppy began to disappear again.

Lieut-Col. John McCrae, the Canadian doctor who wrote the poem IN FLANDERS FIELDS, made the same connection 100 years later, during the First World War, and the scarlet poppy quickly became the symbol for soldiers who died in battle.

Three years later an American, Moina Michael, was working in a New York City YMCA canteen when she started wearing a poppy in memory of the millions who died on the battlefield. During a 1920 visit to the United States a French woman, Madame Guerin, learned of the custom. On her return to France she decided to use handmade poppies to raise money for the destitute children in war-torn areas of the country. In November 1921, the first poppies were distributed in Canada.

Thanks to the millions of Canadians who wear the flowers each November, the little red plant has never died. And neither have Canadian's memories for 117,000 of their countrymen who died in battle.

The World's First Coloured Circulation Coin

On October 21, 2004, The Royal Canadian Mint, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion, unveiled the world’s first coloured circulation coin. The 25-cent coin features a red poppy, the symbol that pays homage to the 117,000 gallant Canadians who died in the service of the nation.

To learn more about our new Poppy coin click on this link.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 105 Cardinal History

Subsequent ot World War 1, the Great War Veterans' Association was formed in Cardinal. This association continued as such until 1927, when the Legion in Canada was organized. The local veterans re-organized to become Branch 105 of the Cardinal Legion.

The Branch officially came into being on June 27, 1927, with William Amell as the first president. The local Branch had its first meeting in what was known as the Sample Room, and met there for some time. Later they met in the Town Hall. In the 1930's meetings were held in the Anglican Church Parish Hall. This continued until 1949.

In the early days the Branch operated on open-air rink and was also able to lead off the fund-raising campaign for a covered rink by donating $1,000. In 1931, the Branch joined with the Village Council and held the first Armistice Day service in town.

During the Second World War the Branch joined in the Legion Buckshee Fund Drive and sent cigarettes to the men of the village who were serving overseas, and began to prepare itself for post-war period. All efforts were turned to the great task of helping the returning veterans settle into civilian life once more.

In 1948, the Branch purchased the building of R.J. Pearce on the riverbank and commenced remodelling the house into club rooms and turning the surrounding land into a community park. With the Seaway coming, the Branch was forced to move and the new Legion Hall was completed in December 1957.

As the membership and community activites increased, more space was required in the auditorium section for banquets and meetings of other organizations. An addition to the south side was constructed, increasing the size of the banquet hall by 50 percent.

The Legion has been instrumental in organizing, sponsoring and leading all phases of minor sports, Cubs, Scouts and other community projects, as well as welfare work for the poor and needy. It contributed $10,000 towards construction of the Cardinal Community Center built in 1968.

The branch began giving bursaries each year to a student at South Grenville District High School.

Every year the Legion puts on a Christmas Party for all the Cardinal Children with treats and entertainment. Also the Legion hold an annual Seniors Christmas Dinner with entertainment.

The Ladies Auxiliary Brach 105 was formed in February, 1978. It was sponsored by and recived its charter from, Branch 105.

A pavilion was built west of the Legion in 1995 by the Corporation of the Municipality of Cardinal. This, combined with play structures purchased in 1991, makes the park suitable for all weather conditions.

Scholarships and Bursaries Programs

The Royal Canadian Legion offers scholarships and bursaries which are administered by the 10 regional Commands of the Legion.

The scholarships are awarded for scholastic achievements and the criteria to apply vary from province to province. Please note that not all commands award scholarships.

Some bursaries are awarded from the Poppy Trust Accounts to students who are children or grand-children of Canadian ex-Service persons who are in need of this assistance. They may be awarded at any stage of a college or university program. Other bursaries are awarded from other Legion funds and the criteria are established by the relevant commands.

For more information on the scholarships and bursary programs, contact Eleanor Beatson @ 613-657-4735.

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