Chaplain’s Corner

3 November 2014
by Padre Art Turnbull, Branch 15 Chaplain

Congratulations! The Branch 15, Royal Canadian Legion Website is launched. This project has been long over due. I have been a part of the team that has worked to have this communications vehicle put into place. The purpose of such a site is to support and inform members, create community interest, and to promote the remembrance of veterans past and present.

This website is intended to be user friendly. To that end all members need to know that it belongs to them. Do let the web editors know your thoughts, give feedback, and be constructive in criticism. Send your thoughts through the Contact page. Also please send your email address to the Branch office and give to Francine in the Membership Office as well. More of our communications will be done electronically in the future as the cost of postage continues to increase. Remember that this site is just beginning, is a work in progress and will take a few trial and error attempts before we get it all right.

It is important that we are launching this on the beginning of the Remembrance Week activities of the Legion in preparation and time for the solemn marking of Remembrance Day. Many of you will be “selling” poppies in stores and businesses these days of early November. Several of you will be going to schools or seniors residences to share stories and participate in Remembrance ceremonies. All veterans and members of the Legion are expected to participate fully as possible this time of year.

One of the joys of going to locations to give a talk or be present to others is the contact we make with others in our community. The children are eager to meet us, ask questions, learn and share about their thoughts on what they thinks of these solemn days. War is abstract to many, a reality for a few, and a concern for all of our young people. Recent events in Quebec and Ottawa bring home to our youth that this is not something that we are remembering from the past. Our children know that service members of the Canadian Forces are on duty and in dangerous places today. The seniors we meet have also been in the midst of the past turmoil, many having lived in the battle areas, and others having served in the lines of defence. I am amazed at how many elders I have met who we do not know as members of the Legion, but these are the veteran soldiers, nursing sisters, and survivors, for whom we owe our thanks and gratitude. Lest we forget.

As Chaplain to the Branch, it is my privilege to share the responsibility of caring for all members, supporting the leadership of our Branch it is my privilege to share the responsibility of caring for all members, supporting the leadership of our Branch, and promoting matters of morale and spiritual health for all. As in my last months report, I remind us that we are guided by great and lasting values based on our Canadian standards that include the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”