Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 DISPATCH Royal Canadian Legion Br. 25 96 Great Northern Rd Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B 4Y5 Phone: 705-945-8721 Fax: 705-945-6372 Ladies Auxiliary: 705-256-2941 Lounge: 705-256-6921 E-mail: rclbranch25@shawbiz.ca Website: www.branch25rcl.org JANUARY 2016 Quote of the Day 1. Confusius said: It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. 2. Confusius also said: Wherever you go, go with all of your heart. 1 President’s Address – Respectfully submitted by Wayne Paulencu On December 7, myself and others attended Pearl Harbor Memorial at Post 3 in Sault Michigan. The weather and the ceremony were very nice. On December 11, I attended the 2310 Army Cadet Christmas Party here at the Branch, and the food as always was wonderful. Sunday December 13 was our pot luck lunch here at the branch and everyone in attendance had a really good time and plenty of food (good food). The following is the Task 35 Final Report abstract. Research Proposal for 30 month pilot study on The potential effectiveness of psychiatric service dogs used by Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) here in Canada Written by Claude Vincent, Ph.D., OT, Principal Investigator Abstract Rationale – There is no scientific evidence related to the effectiveness of psychiatric service dogs (PSDs) used by Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are also no recognized Canadian or American standards for who should qualify for dog services. Following consultations with 20 key stakeholders identified by Veterans Affairs Canada, we found that 2 Veteran’s advocats hesitate to seek reimbursement for PSD “treatment” since the effectiveness of this intervention is not proven. Some clinicians such as psychiatrists also hesitate to recommend psychiatric service dogs since there are no clinical guidelines or evidence on which to base this practice. Objectives – The present pilot project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of service dogs used by Veterans with PTSD. Our research question is: For Veterans with PTSD, what are the effects of acquiring a service dog on psychiatrict symptoms, daily/social functioning and quality of life? In our proposed research protocol we address the following hypotheses: Compared to the 6 months prior the dog acquisition, the PSD has a significant impart on: decreasing nightmares and improving sleep (H`1), decreasing post-traumatic symptoms such as cognitive intrusions, avoidance, alterations of mood, and hyper-arousal (H2), improving social integration in the community and comfort being in public and commercial places (H5), and decreasing the caregiver burden (dependency on a family member or other caregiver) (H6). In addition to this, the study has a specific objective to document the profile of service dogs that will be most effective for Veterans with PTSD, in terms of training regimen, the dog’s origin and breed, costs of obtaining and maintaining the dog and number of hours that dog schools devote to training and monitoring the dogs. Methods – To evaluate these hypotheses we have proposed a quasi-experimental design. The preexperimental group (control group) includes Veterans 3 that are on a waiting list for a service dog. The experimental group includes Veterans that obtain a service dog after being in the pre-experimental group. There will be seven observation times where subject responses are measured (O), i.e. four before the intervention and three afterwards. The intervention (X) is the receipt of a service dog. Thus stated, the research design is: O-6 O-3 O0 months X service dog O+3 O+6 O+9 O+12 months, n=21 to 30. Dependent variables (clinical effects) will be measured using standardized questionnaires administered by phone and self-administrated online. The questionnaires are: BDI-II (Beck Depression Inventory), CCWB (Concern for the Care recipient’s Well-Being), ICLS (impact on the Caregiver’s Social Life), LSA (Life Space Assessment), PCL-M (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for Military, PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), WHOQOL BRIEF (Brief World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire). A grid evaluating the service dog’s profile will be developed according to the specific objective stated above. Part of this grid will be filled with the dog trainers 3 months following the acquisition of a dog by each Veteran. We expect that eight dog training schools will recruit Veterans to participate in the project. Another part of the grid will be completed by a member of the research team at the dog training schools, since direct observations are required of the physical and human environment where the training takes place. Expected Results – with this study design, we hope to be able to determine if having a PSD has positive and long term effects on Veterans with PTSD on a personal and 4 social level, and compare clinical and social outcomes before and after Veterans have acquired a service dog. LA President’s Address – Respectfully submitted by Wendy Phillip I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and we wish you a Happy New Year. Our Christmas Tea and Bazaar was a success. Thanks to Gail Carter-Hill for all her hard work in organizing it. Thank you to all who volunteered to make it such a success. It was nice to see everyone at our Christmas Dinner in December. We also had our Honours and Awards that night. Congratulations to everyone that received their pins and certificates. AS A REMINDER The Ladies and the Branch are having a Pasta Fundraiser (regular or whole wheat, meat balls, salad, bread and butter) on Wednesday January 20th., at 5 PM – 7 PM. Adults $8 – Children (5-10 yrs) $4 – Children under 5 are Free. There is tea and coffee included and Desserts are available for $2. We also have take out. At this time, I would like to thank everyone for all their hard work and for helping out when it was needed. As we go in to 2016, I hope we all continue to work together and have another wonderful year. 5 Poppy Report – Respectfully submitted by Marilyn Patterson A bit late, but here’s the picture of us receiving the Wacky Wings donation to the Poppy Fund presented at our December 2015 General Membership Meeting. Yearly Wacky Wings donates 15% of their sales from both locations on November 11th., and we thank them very much. L-R Wayne Paulencu, President Branch 25; Marilyn Patterson, Poppy Chair; Debbie Rouleau, Public Relations Officer; and, Ikeda Rowswell, Manager Wacky Wings. 6 Youth Education – Respectfully submitted by Marilyn Patterson Branch Public Speaking will take place on Saturday February 6th. starting with the Primary Speakers (Grades 1,2,3) at 10:00 a.m. and the Junior Speakers (Grades 4, 5, 6) at 1:00 p.m. followed by the Intermediates (Grades 7, 8, 9) and finally the Seniors (Grades 10, 11, 12). We always require helpers for registration, scoring, timers and runners so if you have helped before and will help again please let me know. If you have not helped before and would like to, please contact me. If you just want to come and listen, you are most welcome! Donation Review Committee – Respectfully submitted by Marilyn Patterson Since this is January and some of you may be wondering who received donations from the Legion, the Committee thought you would be interested in the Charitable Donations the Branch has made from the Lottery accounts over the past twelve months. These accounts include the Meat Draw, Monthly Tickets and the Nevada Account. Because the funds are raised through our various lotteries, the local AGCO (Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario) office must approve all the donations. The funds must be used for seniors, youth and other charitable groups. No donations can be made to individuals. Most of these donations are local, and none of the donations are outside Ontario. Only those who applied to us for a donation can be considered. 7 Senior Program Soo Pee Wee Hockey Alzheimer’s Society RCACC 2310 United Way Kidney Foundation AlgomaFamilyServices Algoma Crisis Assistance ARCH Salvation Army Algoma Cancer Society The donation review committee members are: Terry Hoad-Reddick, Warren Pihlaja, Jean Snell and myself. During the past year, the Poppy (Trust) Fund also donated to many veterans, medical and youth. Areas to which we are allowed to use the funds include: Army Cadets 2310 Provincial Bursary Funds Provincial Charitable Foundation Sudbury Cancer Facility Group Health Centre Christmas Cheer (Veterans) Remembrance Day Contests Sault Area Hospitals Sick & Visiting (Veterans) Medical Needs of Veterans The Branch holds these funds in trust and can only use the funds as specified in the POPPY MANUAL. Poppy Committee: Gwen Dinsdale, Ann Robichaud, Marion Predum, Elane Turner and myself. Wishing all of you a very healthy & happy New Year!! Senior Chair – Respectfully submitted by Mary Anne Martin 8 I hope everyone had a very good Christmas and I wish you a happy and healthy New Year. The Annual Seniors’ Christmas dinner/dance was very succcessful thanks to Willowgrove Church, Legion Colour Party and Band. Door prizes were won by Alan Platt, Murray Hayes and Elly McWatters, congratulations to the three of you. The music provided by “Wet Paint” was greatly appreciated by all. Last but not least, we had a visit from the jolly old elf himself. The Wednesday dances wrapped up the fall schedule with a pot luck party on the 16th of December. Santa took time from his busy schedule to dance with Mrs. Claus all afternoon. The two door prizes were won by Ray Mador and Helvie Turner. The Robbie Burns night is on January 16th. This year it is dinner and Scottish entertainment. Cocktails at 6:00 p.m. with the traditional roast beef dinner and haggis to follow. Tickets are $20 for Legion members and $25 for non-members and are available in the office or at the bar. February will bring us to the Sweetheart dance – February 13th. with the sounds of Flathead Ford. Please watch for further details. Sick & Visiting Chair – Respectfully submitted by Mary Anne Martin All of our people in the retirement and nursing homes were given Christmas parcels the week before Christmas, with lots of goodies in them. Once again, I need people to visit the shut-ins at the Davey Home as Pat, Ruby and Joan are not able to continue on. This is the largest sick and visiting list, it is 9 divided into East and West sections, so it does not have to be done all at once. I would love to do this, but I am not physically able to do so. If you wish to do the visiting, please let me know. Entertainment Report – Respectfully submitted by Mary Anne Martin The Saturday night dances are off to a good start with a couple of changes to the band list. The list for January is: 9th., - Ezee Country with Hank Schryer 16th., - Don & Lyn 23rd. – Ezee Country 30th. – Don & Lyn The donation box is also doing well and this helps to offset the costs of having the bands in the lounge. Karaoke night now has a new twist. You could win $50 if you name is drawn at midnight. The trick is, that every time you get up to sing, your names goes into the drum but you have to be in attendance to win. Also, there are secret songs selected by Mike (Schryer), if you pick the song, you win, if it is not chosesn, then the pot grows by $20 for the next week. Regular Entertainment Monday 1:30 p.m. – Carpet Bowling upstairs $2 Monday 8:00 p.m. – band practice upstairs – everyone welcome Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – VON exercise classes for people over 55 – absolutely free. Next registration is Tuesday 10 January 5 between 9:15 am and 10:00 am. This session runs until April Wednesday 8:00 p.m. – Acoustic Jam – sing, play, enjoy. Srs. Dance Wednesdays 2 pm – 4 pm - $2 Thursday – Bingo – 1:00 p.m. Thursday 3:00 P.M. – Meat draw in the lounge Friday 9:00 a.m. – VON exercise classes for people over 55 – absolutely free. . Friday nights there is pool downstairs in the Lounge beginning at 7:00 PM Friday 9:00 p.m. - karaoke – come on out and sing along or listen to some great local talent, get involved in our contests Saturday there is free pool all day in the Lounge. If you have any ideas on what type of entertainment you would like to see, please contact me through the office at 705-945-8721. CANADIAN MILITARY HISTORY As per the CBC Digital Archives: 1. Those who served during Canada's wars expected danger at the hands of the enemy. But they were ill prepared for the fight that awaited some of them at home. Most veterans were welcomed home with open arms and assistance in putting their lives back in order. But several groups -- native Canadians, Métis, merchant mariners and Hong Kong prisoners of war -- found themselves ignored and denied the recognition and benefits so crucial to rebuilding their 11 lives. For them, the fight would last another half century. 2. The case against Helmut Rauca was overwhelming. He was charged with murdering 11,584 Jewish men, women and children as an SS master sergeant during the Second World War. Those who survived his notorious reign remember him as a zealous murderer. For years, he was nowhere to be found. Rauca, it seemed, had covered his tracks. But in 1982, his past becomes public when the RCMP closed in on the accused criminal living comfortably in Toronto. Helmut Rauca was the first Canadian citizen to be charged with war crimes. Specifically, he was charged with aiding and abetting in the murder of more than 11,500 persons between 1941 and 1943 in Kaunas, Lithuania. 3. As of 13 December 2015, Air Task Force-Iraq conducted 1875 sorties: CF-188 Hornet fighters conducted 1201 sorties;** CC-150T Polaris aerial refueller conducted 324 sorties, delivering some 18,992,000 pounds of fuel to coalition aircraft; and CP-140 Aurora aircraft conducted 350 reconnaissance missions. **Definition - sortie: In air operations, a sortie refers to an operational flight by one aircraft. A sortie starts when one aircraft takes off and ends upon landing. 12 OTHER CANADIAN HISTORY 1. January 1, 1914 – Sir Wm. MacKenzie drives the last spike on the Canadian Northern Railway line at Little White Otter River, Ontario (in the triangle between Thunder Bay, Fort Francis and Ignace) 2. January 1, 1922 – motorists in British Columbia switch to driving on the right hand side of the road. LOOKING TO RENT A HALL? If you, a family member, or a friend is looking to rent a hall for any function, we are available. With the Ladies Auxiliary catering and an alcohol bar, the hall rental is $150 plus tax = $169.50. If you don't want catering, but want the bar; or you don’t want the bar and you want catering, the hall rental is $250 plus tax = $282.50. A copy of the per plate costs is available in the office. We have a great, centrally located, reasonably priced facility open to the public. Please feel free to give out our number and we will be happy to accommodate. We also have facilities for those wishing to do a “Memory of Life” celebration. The Burial Committee does a very compassionate service for Veterans free of charge – either at the Funeral Home, church or the gravesite. Please contact Elane Turner through the office 705-945-8721 13 LAST POST – WE WILL REMEMBER THEM (to date of printing) E. Roy Jondreau Lloyd Drebitt Alex Irvine Ralph Forfar Jack Armstrong Barry McMillan January Veteran Birthdays – Many Happy Returns Alexander Stewart, Victor Chapman, Russ Disano, Ed Rowe, Harvey Hobbs, G. Michaud, Raymond Magnan, R.G. Rylatt, R.J. McEwen, George Patterson, B.A. Golder, J.R. Harriman, H.L. Wynne, M.J. Lamothe, G.E. Simmons, J.F. Bushnell, G.D. Dinsdale, R. M. Gurevitch, Ed Penner, R. E. Jondreau, Mel Lemarquand, D. Marks MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY DID YOU KNOW: (didyouknowblog.com) 1. In the 1980’s, A&W tried to compete with the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder by selling a 1/3 pound burger at a lower cost. The product failed, because most customers thought ¼ pound was bigger. 2. The Beatles refused to play in front of segregated audiences, and had it written as a stipulation in their contracts. 14 3. On December 14, 1799, doctors tried to cure George Washington’s painfully swollen airway by giving him an enema, inducing vomiting, applying a toxic, blistering substance to his throat and body, and draining 40% of his blood. After about 12 hours of torture, he finally died of what was likely a throat infection. 4. Flipping a coin is not 50/50. It’s actually 51% in favour of whatever side is up when you start the toss. From National Geographic 1. A coyote can hear a mouse moving under a foot of snow. 2. Strawberries have more Vitamin C than oranges. 3. Sheep burps cause holes in the ozone. Bursary Report – Respectfully submitted by Sean MacNamara The Bursary Assistance Program through the Ontario Legion’s Charitable Foundation and the Ladies’ Auxiliary Ontario Command is open to students of: Ex-Servicemen or currently serving members of the Canadian Forces (Regular, Reserve & Merchant Navy & their children & grandchildren Commonwealth war veterans & their children & grandchildren Associate members of the Royal Canadian Legion & their children LA members & their children & grandchildren 15 Apply early to avoid being disappointed Required documentation OSAP documentation School Endorsement Bursary Assistance Application Membership verification from the Branch Proof of Service – discharge certificate/record of service (proof or relationship required) Download the Application from: on.legion.ca - Contact your local Legion Branch, Ladies’ Auxiliary, Financial Aid Office, Ontario Command or Service Bureau Office for an application - Applications MUST be sent to Ontario Command Program opens September and closes the last Friday of March each year. Only the forms dated 2015 will be accepted. The Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command 89 Industrial Parkway North, Aurora, ONT L4G 4C4 1-888-207-0939 or 1-905-841-7999 or info@on.legion.ca Annual Upper Peninsula Mid-Winter Tour Please joinVON us atEXERCISE the BranchPROGRAM on Sunday January 24, 2016 at noon to welcome our American visitors. There will be a light lunch provided and a cash bar will be open during their visit. 16 Don’t forget the exercise program that is held in the downstairs Lounge every Tuesday and Friday beginning at 9 a.m. This is totally free and offered through VON. Great for those over 55 years and just wanting some low impact exercise – stay mobile – stay healthy. THE 2016 LEGION LOTTERY IS HERE Think of it – 366 (leap year) chances to win a minimum of $50 and your name is put back into the drum for more chances – where else do you get those odds. Never too late to get with the winning. With your support the Legion is able to help out in the community with all kinds of programs. A little funny From our friend – Bill Huckson The Blonde Flight Attendant A lawyer boarded an airplane in New Orleans with a box of frozen crabs and asked a blonde flight attendant to take care of them for him. She took the box and promised to put it in the crew refrigerator. He advised her that he was holding her personally responsible for them staying frozen, mentioning in an arrogant manner that he was a lawyer, and threatened what would happen to her if she lt them thaw out. 17 Shortly before landing in New York, she used the intercom to announce to the entire cabin, “Would the lawyer who gave me the crabs in New Orleans, please raise your hand?” Not one hand went up…..so she took them home and at them. There are two lessons here: 1. Lawyers aren’t as smart as they think they are. 2. Blondes aren’t as dumb as most folks think. Is it ever the wrong time of year to thank a Vet? The following uses the pronoun “He”, but it is meant for the “She’s” as well. These guys are the reason we can go to the church or synagogue of our choice, and go to bed at night without worrying about being awakened by bombs or some other type of attack. ½ Boy ½ Man The average age of our front line Military is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, may not be old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father’s, but he has never collected unemployment either. He is a recent High School graduate; he is probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten-year-old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend 18 that broke up with him either when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from a half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155 mm Howitzer. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time - in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. 19 If you are thirsty, he will share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He will even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons as if they were his hands. He can save your life – or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humour in it all. He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to ‘square-away’ those around him who have not bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful. Just as his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather did, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. 20 Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood. And now we have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to war when our nation calls us to do so. As you go to bed tonight, please picture this – a short lull, a little shade, and a picture of loved ones in their helmets. Please stop for a moment and pray for our ground troops in Afghanistan, Sailors on ships, those in the air, and for those in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and all foreign countries. Prayer circle for our Military Prayer Circle “Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need” Amen December Lottery Winners Ned Gionette, Bessie Sharpe, Pat & Brenda Leigh Schryer, Mary & Nor Hopkins, Jeff McConneci, Maureen Kelly, Nancy & Tom Hayes-Sheen, Sue & Robert Kerr, Mel Andreola, Chris & Amy Misner, 21 Eunice McEwan, Ryan DiTommaso, Jan Lacasse, Jen Brown, Raymond Roberts, James Coyle, Lynne Miller, Rene Pregent, Charles Painter, Kim ReynoldsBoudreau, G. Robinson, Eric Bremner, Phil & Tracy Gard, Mary Emery, Bob A. Devoe, Lawrence Gatza, Dale Anderson, Lucas Febbraro, Kevin & Cristina MacKay, Sylvia Fera, Glenn Moir December Monthly Draw Winners $2000 – Dave Archibald $1000 – Claudette & Rick Masse $500 – Caryn Robinson Congratulations and Thank-you OUR NOVEMBER 11TH. DRAW WINNER Mike Piper – ticket #946 Licence #M763501 DON’T FORGET WE STILL COLLECT 1. Pop Tabs: In November we turned in twelve medium sized boxes of tabs we were able to add $70.50 for our veterans comforts account, so those little cans and baggies of tabs you bring in do add up. 2. Pop cans for the Shriners to compact and sell the scrap metal for donations to their hospital projects. 3. Campbell Soup labels go to a church which gets a couple of cents per label and uses the money for items for their youth programs. 22 4. Canadian Tire Money is used for the KIDS Christmas Party. 5. Used eyeglasses are shipped to third world countries. 6. Lock City Milk Bags. This project is really growing! So far this year (2015) we have turned in 3200 milk bags. At $0.05 per bag, we are doing well. All of the money must be used for youth activities so we basically use it for our children’s Christmas party. Keep those bags coming in!! Office Hours November-April Monday & Wednesday – 9am-1pm Tues/Thurs/Friday – 8:30 am – 4 pm Lounge Hours Mon –Thurs – 1:00 pm – 11:00 pm Friday – 1:00 pm – 1:00 am Saturday – Noon – 11:00 pm If there is anything you would like to see in the Dispatch, please contact the Office, leave your suggestion and we can see if it will fit. If any Branch of the Military (cadets and family support group included) would like us to place something in our Dispatch – please do not hesitate to ask. We are here to serve our Veterans, Members and our Community – please help us to do that. 23 2015-17 Officers/Executive & Committee Chairs President – Wayne Paulencu Past President – Marilyn Isaacson 1st. Vice – Ernie Bremner – Sgt @Arms/ Membership 2nd. Vice – Ed Rowe –Honours & Awards/ By-Laws/Cadet Liaison rd 3 . Vice – Ron Rouleau – Museum Curator/Service Officer Secretary – Wilma Oliver Poppy/Youth Ed/Track & Field/Sports – Marilyn Patterson Treasurer – Carol Piper Seniors/Entertainment/Sick & Visiting – Mary Anne Martin Branch Padre(s) Rev. Phil Miller Capt. Pat Vardy Mrs. Helen Smith Bursary – Sean MacNamara Cenotaph – Bill Bennett PRO – Debbie Rouleau TOD/Cadet Liaison – Warren Pihlaja Burial – Elane Turner If there is anything any one of us can do, please do not hesitate to contact the office (705-945-8721). The Legion is here to help, please help us to do that. 24