The Yorkton Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion installed some members of its new executive at its monthly general meeting September 28.
Barry Whitehead moved up from first vice-president to president, Greg Litvanyi took over as first vice and outgoing president Peter Wyatt became past president.
Two executives at large, Bill Stubbings and Bernie Eagleson, were also sworn in. The new secretary is Thom Barker.
Three others have let their names stand, Jackie Gamracy as second vice, Ed St. Pierre as sergeant at arms and Lonnie Weitzel as executive at large. They will be sworn in at a future meeting.
The Legion still needs members to step up and fill the positions of third vice president, two executive members and treasurer. These do not need to be current members. The Legion is always recruiting and potential members do not need to be veterans or serving military. Memberships are $50.
Ken Box, president of the Legion’s Saskatchewan Command said that although the Yorkton branch has fallen on hard times of late, it still fulfills a very important role in the community providing services to veterans, serving military, RCMP, their families and the community at large.
“This branch can still be a vibrant branch, but it needs people to get involved,” Box said.
Last year the organization raised $33,161, $20,000 of which was donated to the four cadet corps in Yorkton, the Health Foundation, the Yorkton and District Nursing Home, Meals on Wheels and the Military Family Resource Centres at Moose Jaw and Dundurn.
In addition, the Legion donated to the two Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) programs serving Saskatchewan veterans, “Leave the Streets Behind” and “The Power in Me” and handed out bursaries to high school students at the Regional and Sacred Heart.
At the general meeting last week concern was expressed that recent media attention surrounding the sale of the building is keeping people away.
“People think we are closed,” incoming president Whitehead said. “We need to let the public know, we are not closed.”
Gunners Lounge is currently open Mondays from 3 p.m. to approximately 10 p.m. for darts and billiards. The leagues are open to new players who want to drop in.
Also, on Saturdays between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. the lounge remains open for the Legion’s weekly meat draw and a new fundraising game Chase the Queen of Hearts. Tickets are only a dollar.
Executive member Eagleson is currently leading an effort to find volunteers to open the lounge every day. When it is open, it is open to the public and serves beer (draught and bottled), wine and spirits at very reasonable prices.
The bottom line is the Legion is down, but it is not out. The building has outgrown the branch, but the importance of the work the branch does remains. The current executive is charged with selling the building and attracting a new active membership to carry on that work.
“Every year, Yorkton fills the Gallagher Centre for the Legion’s Remembrance Day ceremony because it is crucial we remember the sacrifices our fellow citizens have made and continue to make on our behalf,” said secretary Barker. “But Yorkton needs the Legion year-round and now the Legion needs Yorkton year-round.”
To join and/or volunteer call 306-783-9789.
