Ceremonies curtailed due to pandemic ■ Continued from Page 3


“Community-wise,we support the local police and the local firemen with some monetary funds, because they help us out so much, too — and labour-wise if we can.We have the Legion Park, which is a real benefit to the community, with all sorts of events scheduled all summer long and into the winter, where we have weddings and stuff like that at the youth centre,”said Andres. The Legion’s planned V-E Day (Victory in


Europe) activities on May 8 had to be curtailed due to the pandemic, but a small ceremony was able to be held at Cenotaph Park. “It was supposed to be quite a shindig really,” said Andres.“There was a special flag, and the eternal candles.We had sent out letters to proba- bly 100 of our citizens and members of the Taber area, where you could buy a candle for $5, and the money that was raised — and was going to be raised — would have gone to veteran’s assis- tance.We were going to march from the district office in town, with the dignitaries, and there would have been lunch served for the seniors and for the crowd that would be there, honour- ing our veterans and honouring the seniors that we have in our community.There were 1,500 tulips planted, where Sid Tams has renovated the old court house.They were right from Holland. We planted some in our boxes in front of the Legion office, the main hall.There was going to be a parade going from the district office to the


Cenotaph, and from the Cenotaph back to the auditorium for lunch.” Andres reports the Taber branch currently has 368 members, and has taken advantage of the COVID-19 lockdown to get some renovations done at the Legion Hall. “We have now changed the flooring and


dressed it up, and it really makes a huge differ- ence.” Andres reflected on how important it is to try


to maintain the local Legion chapter for future generations. “Previously some time ago, I posed a question


to my Legion executive, just prior to modernizing the upstairs at the hall.The question I posed — because the Legion is continually strapped for money,and we’re fundraising,but we’re always struggling — I said with the building being old as it is,do you feel it is our mandate as the Legion executive, because of what our veterans did for our country, is it our mandate to maintain and keep this place open as long as humanly possi- ble? And we had a resounding, unanimous deci- sion that yes, it was important enough.The Legion itself, and honouring our veterans, and doing all of our commitments to fundraising and to all our ceremonies that are so near and dear to our freedom, it is absolutely our mandate to keep this Legion alive.And it can only be done — there’s no other way this can be done — except through community help.”


Promoting volunteerism is a key part of that philosophy, argues Andres, and the local Legion is always looking for an additional helping hand. “Contact the Legion office, give us your name and address and phone number,and we will absolutely contact you.Volunteering is huge; that’s what keeps our Legion alive.Volunteerism is the only way our Legion is going to remain vital.We have an absolutely wonderful communi- ty here.Anytime that there is a problem, the com- munity — no matter how large or small — the community stands up on its hind legs and helps. And we need to maintain that and keep that going.” Those who might be interested in lending a


hand,or making a financial contribution, can con- tact the Legion at 403-223-3822 or via email at rcl20offman@gmail.com.While 2020 will certainly be remembered as an unusual year,Andres reports the Legion has a few upcoming cere- monies planned although public gathering restrictions will need to be maintained. “We’re going to do the one in August (V-J Day Aug. 15), and for D-Day (June 6) also.”


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