聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 No person should be declined the opportunity to lay a wreath on Remembrance Day, Jim Woodward, president of the Kamsack branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, told Legion members during their meeting on November 1.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淟ast week I was apprised of a situation over which I took a strong stand,鈥� Woodward told members. 鈥淎 young veteran in New Brunswick joined his hometown Legion and requested to lay a wreath in memory of his nine fallen buddies in Afghanistan. He was declined.
鈥淗e took his plea into the public domain where it went viral on Facebook,鈥� Woodward said. 鈥淭his Legion branch in question should be taken to task because it defeats everything that the Legion stands for.
鈥淭hese 鈥榦ld boys鈥� clubs鈥� have done more to destroy and tarnish the Legion over the years to the point where this negativity has rendered many branches useless,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 always say 鈥業f you have nothing good to say, shut your mouth before you speak stupid because your conversation affects us all as a Legion.鈥�
鈥淥ur potential young members need to feel they belong and we must encourage their participation.
Woodward said that this year he has added a large wreath to the list of wreaths to be laid entitled 鈥楾he Fallen of Afghanistan鈥� and has asked his son Tim to lay this wreath.
鈥淚 am also adding another wreath for 鈥榩eacetime veterans鈥� because too many people think our veterans stop after the Second World War and this situation can no longer exist,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are fortunate in Kamsack that we haven鈥檛 lost anyone to peacetime operations even though there are several serving.
鈥淚 am of the understanding that the schools are eagerly participating in this year鈥檚 poster and poem contest,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 am pleased to think my family has been a part of this branch for its 90 years and to think that the fifth generation will be part of our Remembrance Day Services is an honour I would like to see cherished for generations to come.
鈥淔ind something and stand proud; it鈥檚 very heartwarming. Trust me,鈥� Woodward said.
