Contact Shelburne’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 220 Located at 230 William St., Shelburne, Ontario, L9V 3L6 at 519-925-3800. Visit website click here.
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Your Weekly Update From Shelburne Royal Canadian Legion President, Lesa Peat.
Weekly Update from Shelburne Royal Canadian Legion President Lesa Peat full of important reminders, public information, update on upcoming activities, volunteers are always welcome, and more.
“It was another sad weekend at the Legion. We had a Legion Service combined with the Branch 233 on Saturday for the passing of World War II Veteran, Ken Baynton. And a Celebration of Life for a long time Shelburne resident Terry McCarthy on Sunday. These were two more Great Men that we have lost and our support and condolences are with both families.
A Sad Farewell To One Of Our Cherished WWII Veterans, Ken Baynton
The above provided by : Click image to visit website.
Fare Thee Well, & God Speed, KEN BAYNTON : Thank you.
In my few years in Shelburne, I have come to know so many wonderful people. Shelburne’s WWII Veterans are men, and I think we can all agree, simply above the grade. They were just teenagers when they left their families to go out and literally save their country and so follows, the world. The men who returned afterwards, returned not as boys, but as men. Harsh and brutal realities they faces often gave these youngsters a certain resolve. Ken Baynton was in my short time knowing him was also exceptional. Whatever he faced in his health, he never spoke of, never whined, but instead was always happy while attending the Veteran meetings and the Shelburne Legion 220 Branch. This man always greeted me with a smile as does his wife Pauline. This kind of goodness, strength and resolve speaks to Ken’s resilience, love of life, after all, whatever he faced, he and Pauline faced together. It’s with great sadness I bid farewell to Ken Baynton, WWII Veteran, and wonderful man. I will sorely miss seeing his smile while enjoying tea and sweets during the Veteran’s Meetings. Alex McLellan.
Click image below for short video.
(Above: L to R) Pauline and Ken Baynton
Click here to Visit the Royal Canadian Legion Website.
(LtoR)Shelburne Legion President, Lesa Peat, MP David Tilson, Second Vice President, Linda Orvis, and Garry Netzke, 1st Vice President. The Shelburne Legion will be using the money towards updating doors helping to make them even more accessibly friendly.
Shelburne Royal Canadian Legion Padre, Pastor Gord Horsley and his very special Remembrance Day Video Interview With Veterans Bill Ritch and Garry Netzke. Click here. This video generously provided to the Shelburne Freelancer by Barry Ritch and thanks to his kindness and generosity, we can share this wonderful exchange with the world! Thanks so much!
Shelburne Veteran Bill Bennett discovered a poem that is so profoundly important to him, he would like to for everyone to share it as much as possible over the Christmas Season and help to remember our Veterans, the reason we as society are able to celebrate life’s gifts and traditions in the freedom we enjoy today.
T’was the night before Christmas, He lived all alone,
In a one bedroom House made of plaster and stone
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
And to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about,
A strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges
Awards of all kinds,
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different,
It was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier
Once I could see clearly
The soldier lay sleeping, silent , alone,
Curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle,
The room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a Canadian Soldier
Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families that I saw this night owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play
And grown- ups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of the soldiers
Like the one lying here.
I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, “Santa don’t cry. This life is my choice:
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more,
My life is my god, my country, my Corps.”
The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours so silent and still
And we both shivered from the cold night’s chill.
I didn’t want to leave on that cold dark night,
This guardian of honor, so willing to fight.
The soldier rolled over with a voice soft and pure, whispered,
“Carry on Santa. It’s Christmas Day, All is secure.”
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
“Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night!”
“This poem was written by a peace Keeping Soldier stationed overseas. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable. Please, would you do me the kind favour of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our Canadian service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let’s try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please do your small part to plant this small seed?” ~ Bill Bennett.
Remembrance Day In Shelburne 2017 Began Much Earlier In November With The Mounting Of Our Home Town Hero Banners Along Shelburne’s Main Street. What A Tribute To Be Surrounded By Such Heroism!
Remembrance Day Celebrations Began Early On A Cold Wintry November 11, 2017 With An Official Opening Ceremony Held At The Shelburne Royal Canadian Legion.
Click Here Or on Image For Video Coverage.
Our Veterans Walk To Ceremony Held At Cenotaph Exclusive Video Coverage Now Available.
Remembrance Day Ceremony Held At Dufferin Oaks, Shelburne’s Wonderful Long Term Care Facility, Hosted By Pastor, Reverend Ford Horsley
Photos By Alex Sher
The Wonderful Quilts of Valour- Dufferin Ladies Were On Hand At Dufferin Oaks TO Present Veterans With Their Quilts, A comforting Reminder To Veterans Their Community Truly Does Think Of Them And Appreciates Them
Photo Below Generously provided by Peter William Richardson, Photo Journalist. Visit Richardson’s wonderful website!
The Remembrance Day Evening Dinner Ceremony 2017, Held At The Shelburne Royal Canadian Legion 220 Branch, Was An Emotionally Charged Evening During Heartfelt, Sincere Speeches, And As One Woman Said, “And So It Should Be!” Click Here for Video of Dinner Presentations. Don’t Be Surprised If More Than A Few Tears Fall!
Legion President Lesa Peat was so moved by Ladies Auxiliary President, Denyse Deeds Chopee’s $15000 presentation to the Legion on behalf of all the Ladies Auxiliary Members and Volunteers, that it took two two tries to accept the check! This presentation took place during the Remembrance Day Dinner held and hosted By the Royal Canadian Legion 220 Branch. See it all! Click here for Video of the Dinner Ceremony.
Quilts of Valour- Dufferin Made Very special Quilt Presentation. Find out who got one during the Remembrance Day Dinner Ceremony Hosted by the Legion and served by 164 Squadron Air Cadets who did a wonderful job! Video of Dinner Ceremony Including Speeches Don’t Want To Miss And A Special Poem Read by Legion President Lesa Peat On Behalf of Veteran Bill Bennett Who Was Unable To Attend Followed By A Very Special Christmas Dinner Invitation Issued By Lesa Peat.
And after all have returned home for the evening following a full day of remembrance and gratitude, the streets of Shelburne become quiet while Shelburne Town Hall remains lit up in honour still. We Will Remember Them.
Click here to visit The Great War Website.
http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/mobile/video?clipId=748225
” We are saddened by the loss of another great person. Veteran Jack Mason Passed away on Sunday October 22. There will be visitation from 2pm -3pm on Sunday October 29th with the Service beginning at 3pm in the Warriors Hall of The Shelburne Legion. “Jack Sprat” will be missed by all.”
“We hope that everyone has enjoyed the great weather we have had. It’s time to get back to business. Poppy Campaign is starting on October 27th. We all made a promise to “Actively Participate in The Poppy Campaign”. The sign up sheets are posted at the branch, they are only 2 hour shifts. The monies raised from the Poppy Campaign helps Veterans and their families when needed. Thank you in advance for your support. Thursday October 19th the Ladies Auxiliary will be having their monthly luncheon with Ham and Scalloped Potatoes on the menu. Lunch is served from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. This Friday is another Red Friday Wings with entertainment by Bill Dickinson. Our annual Halloween Bash is on October 28th with DJ Jerry Daniels. A cash donation will be excepted at the door for the 164 Air Cadets. “They are our future”. November 11th is Remembrance Day. It falls on a Saturday this year so we are hoping that more people from The Town of Shelburne and area can attend our Parade and Services. More details will be posted in the next few weeks. Volunteers are a very large part of Legions. I would like to THANK all of the fantastic people that continue to help our branch. If you would like to volunteer just give us a call at 519- 925- 3800 and see why we have so much fun. Happy Fall Everyone,” Shelburne Royal Canadian Legion, Lesa Peat commented.
Shelburne Royal Canadian Legion Walk To Cenotaph While Hosting District E Fall convention!
This video was from 2015:
Shelburne Royal Canadian Legion Received Generous Donation of $664.00 Raised By Bids For Benefit!
Bids for Benefit is a Charitable Organization run by President,Larry Wagler and his team. Walger donates paintings to be shown and bid on, the highest bidder wins and all funds will go to the Shelburne Royal Canadian Legion’s Education Bursary Program run by Executive Member, Mary Warman. While great exposure for Bids For Benefit, Wagler is extremely pleased to help with such a worthy endeavour commenting, ” Our company donates 100% over the starting bid. I’m so proud of what I’m doing. It’s a fantastic program and a “win-win” situation for all. It’s a win for the buyer and a win for the Charity.” This amount was raised over a period of six months worth of prints that were bid on and will be an ongoing source of income for Education Bursary Program. The check presentation occurred on September 26, 2017. For More information on Bids For Benefit, contact.
- ANTHONY WAGLER
- Founder and President
- Toronto, ON
- Office: 905-689-1001
- Fax: 905-689-7225
- anthony@bidsforbenefit.com
(LtoR) Note: Garry Netzke is present, but missing from photo, apologies from The Shelburne Freelancer : Garry Netzke, 1st Vice President, Sergeant At Arms, Service Officer Cadet Liaison, Executive Poppy Chairman, Bruce Wright, Leadership and Development Chair Person, Jill McIllwraith, Youth Education, Babs Defoe, Bids For Benefit President, Anthony Wagler, Legion President, Lesa Peat, Second Vice President , Membership Chairperson, Bingo Chairperson, Linda Orvis, Front: Executive Bursary Chairperson, Mary Warman, Back: Past President, Sports Officer, Senior Officer, Ross Warman.
Very Special Canadian Flag On Display At Shelburne’s Royal Canadian Legion
Click here to visit The Heritage Music Festival page for Legion photos taken over the weekend.
Good Things Happen Sharing Shelburne With The World!
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 220 is home to weekly Veteran Meetings. Veterans meet and discuss current affairs, important relevant issues and enjoy the company of WWII Veterans as well as current veterans conversing about important topics, and experiences. Meeting are free to attend each Wednesday at 10 a.m. For more information contact the Shelburne Royal Canadian Legion at 519-925-3800.
Held General Meeting June 27, 2017
As seen featured in the photo below (L to R Front) The Executive Board Members of the Shelburne Royal Canadian Legion gathered for the last board meeting before summer break. As seen featured in the photo below (L to R Front) Executive Branch Padre, Reverend Gord Horsley, Executive Entertainment Chairman, Dave McIntyre, Second Vice President , Membership Chairperson, Bingo Chairperson, Linda Orvis, President, Lesa Peat, 1st Vice President, Sergeant At Arms, Service Officer Cadet Liaison, Garry Netzke, Executive Bursary Chairperson, Mary Warman, (L to R Back) Past President, Sports Officer, Senior Officer, Ross Warman, T.O.D Chairperson, Honors & Awards Chairperson,Ways & Means Chairperson, and Bylaw Officer, Jill McIllwraith, Executive Secretary,Trish Brolly, Youth Education, Babs Defoe(Absent from Photo), Executive Public Relations Officer, Maintenance/Building, Philip Norris, Executive Poppy Chairman, Bruce Wright.
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