Royal Canadian Legion

Branch97 - Oliver

Executive Members:

Executive
President: Estelle Pavan 250-498-9061
Past President: Marty Foss 250-535-0841
First Vice President: Dale Young 250-535-1765
Second Vice President: Pat Hampson 250-498-4193
Secretary: Donna Brooks 250-498-7706
Treasurer: Ron Lundin 250-498-8854

 

Committees
Chaplain: Ray Turner 250-498-3084
Canteen: Brad Dufour 778-439-2033
Entertainment: Christine Dittaro 604-313-4275
Honours & Awards: Rick Stanley 604-880-5269
House & Grounds: Dale Young 250-535-1765
Membership: Mike Pavan 250-498-9671
Poppy Fund: Estelle Pavan 250-498-9061
Public Relations: Donna Brooks 250-498-7706
Sergeant-at-Arms: Pat Hampson 250-498-4193
Service Officer: Gloria Dufour 778-439-2033
Gaming: Amanda Clark 604-313-1105
Hall: Gloria Dufour 778-439-2033
Sports: Tom Marvin 250-498-4101
Ways & Means: Tom Marvin 250-498-4101
Youth: Estelle Pavan 250-498-9061
Volunteer Liaison Officer: Brad Dufour 778-439-2033

Contact:

Oliver Legion
250-498-3868
6417 Main Street

Mailing address:
Box 378
Oliver, BC  V0H 1T0

 

cenotaph

I shuffle my feet through the autumn leaves,
A fresh chill is in the air.
On November 11th a mother grieves,
Her son is no longer there.

That morning in Ottawa a soft rain falls,
Canadians gather on Parliament Hill.
In Afghanistan a soldier’s cry calls,
A dusty wind erodes his will.

Cameras linger on time-worn faces,
Wrinkled eyes still glinting with pride.
Young recruits eagerly train at bases,
Soon replacing those who have died.

The singing of “O Canada” rings strongly,
A poppy over each person’s heart.
Nations continue to bicker wrongly,
Government leaders so far apart.

Upon the cenotaph, wreaths are placed,
Bright ribbons bearing names.
The ills of society can’t be erased,
There’s no point playing deadly games.

In that minute of silence we remember
Heads bowed, tears fall to the ground
Hope seems nothing but a dying ember
Faith in humanity whispers not a sound

For that moment I pause to consider
The face of freedom today
Is it smiling or is it bitter?
Because of all that we’ve thrown away.

A trumpet plays The Last Post,
The bagpipes notes float bravely after.
I am resolved to remember most,
That in the world there’s still some laughter.

I must shrug off the heaviness of this date,
And be thankful for the free life I live.
Make a promise not to surrender to hate,
Be a strength, share love, just give.

Author: Mallory Abbie