1 February 2015
The Rev. Art Turnbull, Branch 15 Chaplain

In January a few of us from Branch 15, Connie Smith, Peter Slade and myself, attended the presentations on the contribution of the Indian Army in World War One. It was a privilege to learn about this contribution by the Indian Forces. The talks were given at the Sikh Museum and at the University of Fraser Valley Indo Canadian Studies Centre in January. We learned about the sacrifices made by our brothers in arms who were part of the British Empire just like we Canadians were at that time. How that war contributed to the making of our respective nations is history worth knowing about. For those of you who missed the talks there is an opportunity to still learn about this story. A standing display, well done and researched, is open to the public at the Indo-Canadian Studies Centre at UFV. This is located off Mackenzie Road, at the second entrance to the campus with paid parking available on site. The display is on until the 8th March. Well worth a half hour of your time, and it is free.
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7 January 2015
The Rev. Art Turnbull, Branch 15 Chaplain

Another new year stretches out before us as the days slowly become brighter, omens of better things yet to come.

I often reflect at this time of year on our human nature and existence. I do so in terms of our material body, our thinking mind, our emotive emotions, and our mysterious spirit. Whenever one of these four components (body, mind, emotions, and spirit) is out of sorts, so the other components are affected in a negative way. Keeping the whole in reasonable balance and good shape requires some attention. If I do not exercise, my body becomes lazy, but so does my mind. If I do not engage in meaningful discussion, I become an emotional bore. If I do not look after my spiritual welfare, I can also be left with a physical incapacity that I cannot overcome. When I was growing up, elders used to spout off, “Do everything in moderation.” That saying still applies to me today. Perhaps it applies to all of us.
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1 December 2014
by Padre Art Turnbull, Branch 15 Chaplain

December is a strange month.  Some places in Canada are deep into ice and snow.  In our part of the world we begin the month with freezing temperatures while the leaves still fall from the trees.  In the latter parts of the month there will be the official declaration that Winter is here.  Then we shall probably have a green Christmas awash with gently falling rain.  Skiing in the mountains while golfing in the valley! Strange country.

Winter is a season and condition that is hard on seniors.  Veterans do not miss out on the difficulties of this time of year or life.
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By Simon Grant

On a very windy Tuesday roughly four hundred people attended Abbotsford’s Remembrance Day memorial ceremony at Thunderbird Memorial Square. 2014 marks the centennial since the war to end all wars began.
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It’s been a very busy year for the Executive of RCL Branch 15. President Geoff Hosking, along with Thomas Buchenauer, Gail Sigvaldason, Frank Svenshek and Peter Slade have represented the Legion at events in house, as well as in the community.
March – The Legion was invited to the Chilliwack Branch for The Battle of Atlantic Ceremony. We also hosted a Commonwealth Day Reception at our Branch.
April – We had an excellent turnout for the Vimy Ridge Ceremony this year. Also, we held a Queen’s Birthday Luncheon on April 21 at the Branch.
May – Our Branch hosted a special dinner for National Day of Honour and we were privileged to have six Afghanistan Veterans in attendance, as well as special guests MP Ed Fast and Mayor Bruce Banman.
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