T H E R O Y A L C A N A D I A N L E G I O N B R A N C H

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1 March 2015 T H E R O Y A L C A N A D I A N L E G I O N B R A N C H 9 9 IMPORTANT DATES St. Paddy s Day Celebration 15 March 2015 Vimy, VE Day, Battle of Atlantic 12 April 2015 Op MANNA Commemoration 19 April 2015 IMPORTANT INFO Op MANNA Page 1 Entertainment Page 5 Branch Contact Numbers Page 8 THE ENLIGHTENER Branch 99 Belleville Branch Hours Monday 3 pm to 10 pm Tuesday to Thursday - 1 pm to 11 pm Friday -11 am to 1 am Saturday 1 pm to 6 pm Sunday Special Events Only 132 Pinnacle Street 0

2 The Enlightener The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 99 Operation MANNA Andy Anderson During the fall of 1944, the German controllers of Holland cut off all food shipments to the Dutch populous. As a result, the Dutch were soon starving. It got to the point they were reduced to eating weeds and tulip bulbs. By spring more than 10,000 had perished (starved to death). Queen Willhelmina who was in exile in London asked the allies to try to do something to help her countrymen. A plan was decided on, but it required the cooperation of the Germans. If the Germans would keep their Anti-Aircraft guns silent, the Air Force would drop food to the Dutch. Operation Manna (April 29 to 8 May 1945) The drop jones were marked by R.C.A.F. 405 Squadron and 625 R.A.F. Squadron started the initial drop, this squadron had at least 25 Canadian involved in the drop. The Aircraft did their drop from less than 500 feet and at as slow a speed as possible since no Parachutes were used. More than 250 Lancaster Bombers were involved in the drop. On May 1 st, the Americans joined the drop with about 400 B17 bombers. The anti-aircraft guns stayed silent, but the German ground troops fired on the low flying aircraft causing heavy battle damage. One American plane was so badly damaged it crashed in the North Sea killing 11 of it s crew of 13. Continued on next page. Vimy, VE Day & Battle of the Atlantic Parade This year s parade commemorating Vimy, VE Day and Battle of the Atlantic will be held on April 12 th, Please ensure you mark your calendar. More information will be coming out in the near future. As for all of our Commemorative Parades, your participation is appreciated to help ensure those sacrifices are not forgotten, Lest We Forget. Branch Elections On Monday, May 4 th, RCL Branch 99 will be conducting Branch Elections. Nominations are now being sought for Executive positions within the Branch. Please give a thought to participating in the Branch Executive. Your involvement within the Branch is highly encouraged. A large blackboard will be placed in the Club Room with a list of positions. Please place your name in the area that corresponds to the position sought. Come out, get involved and participate! 1

3 T H E R O Y A L C A N A D I A N L E G I O N B R A N C H 9 9 Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment While the Air drop was going on, the allied Armies were pushing the enemy forces out of Holland. The German Army surrendered on May the Fifth and VE day occurred on May 8 th. The Hastings and Prince Edward regiment were part of the push through Holland. Princess Margriet Most of the Dutch Royal family spent the war years in Canada, and Princess Margriet was born in Ottawa. January The Canadian Government declared her Maternity ward as neutral territory so she would not be born Dutch- Canadian, as this would prevent her from ever becoming Queen of the Netherlands. She has become involved with the International Red Cross which is noted for assisting those in trouble. We plan on dedicating our Poppy Office to her by placing a plaque in the door. We think this would be appropriate as the Poppy office does much the same thing for our Veterans, but on a smaller scale. Op MANNA Commemoration On Sunday April 19 th a celebration commemorating the 70 th anniversary of Operation Manna and the Liberation of Holland will be held at Branch 99. The local Dutch community are working with us to make this a success. The Princess Margriet plaque will be dedicated, and Dutch food and Dutch entertainment will be available. The dedication will take place about 3 PM. St. Paddy s Day Cellebration! Where: RCL Branch 99 When: Sunday, March 15, 2015, 2 pm to 6 pm, Food: Irish stew, Buns and Dessert. Drink: Green Beer Entertainment: The Garlands D.J. Service with Garland Tulley. A $10.00 charge at the door. Come out and put your green on! 2

4 T H E R O Y A L C A N A D I A N L E G I O N B R A N C H 9 9 Youth Education Gerry McConnell On March 1 st, 2015, RCL Branch 99 hosted the Annual Youth Public Speaking Contest. There were over 30 contestants ranging from grades 1 through to 9 who participated in this event. The Primary Division results were: 1 st Place Abbi Solomon Sir John A. MacDonald, Public School 2 nd Place Charlotte Plante George Vanier Public School 3 rd Place Emery Leveque George Vanier Public School 4 th Place Miah Grace Hubble Sir John A. MacDonald Public School Primary Division Winners The Junior Division results were: 1 st Place Grace Bashall George Vanier Public School 2 nd Place Elliot Mundle Albert College 3 rd Place Elijah Martindale Sir John A. MacDonald Public School 4 th Place Sydney Smith George Vanier Public School Junior Division Winners The Intermediate Division results were: 1 st Place Morgan Hawley Sir John A. MacDonald Public School 2 nd Place Morgan Beatty Centennial Public School 3 rd Place Kyley McGuinness George Vanier Public School 4 th Place Will Brennan Holy Rosary Catholic School 3 Intermediate Division Winners

5 T H E R O Y A L C A N A D I A N L E G I O N B R A N C H 9 9 Youth & Education Con t Many thanks go out to the following volunteers who made this event so successful: Bob Shaw (Toastmasters), Barry Lieff, Donna Boulton (Toastmasters), John Boulton (Toastmasters), Jerry McConnell, Bob Reid, Donna Vickers, Phyllis Smith and Steven Burr. Sports Bob Ried On March 14 th, we have one team going to District shuffleboard in Lakefield. Then on March 15 th, we have one team going to Zone euchre in Deseronto. Later on March 29 th, we have two teams and four doubles going in to Zone darts. It will be held at the branch, if anyone wants to come and watch. SPORTS Zone Mixed Darts Tryouts March 29 th, 2015 RCL Branch 99 Registration: 9 am Start time: 10 am Ladies Dart Tournament April 18 th 2015 RCL Branch 99 Registration: 10:00 am Start Time: 11:00 am Did you know? The saying The whole nine yards - American fighter planes in WW2 had machine guns that were fed by a belt of cartridges. The average plane held belts that were 27 feet (9 yards) long. If the pilot used up all his ammo he was said to have given it the whole nine yards.. RCL Branch 99 rs Snooker Club 4

6 T H E R O Y A L C A N A D I A N L E G I O N B R A N C H 9 9 Entertainment Pauline DeGenova Sunday, March 15, 2015 St. Paddy s Day Celebration 2 pm to 6 pm, There will be Irish stew, buns and dessert. A $10.00 charge at the door. Entertainment will be Garlands D.J. Service with Garland Tulley. Come out and put your green on! Friday, March 27th, 2015 Karaoke with John & Rita 6:30-10:30 p.m. Everyone welcome. Plenty of room for dancing as well! Saturday, January 28 th, 2015 Belleville Legion Country Jamboree & Open Mic. 7:p.m. 10:30 p.m. Julie Simpson will be the special guest for this Jamboree along with the house band; Steve Piticco, John, Rita and Brad Harpell, Dan Washburn, Chester McCann, Brad McCumber. Great bunch of entertainer's. Again great dancing floor as well, door prizes. $10.00 p/p at the door. Everyone welcome. Canteen Monday Hot Dogs 5 pm to 9 pm Tuesday/Wednesday Hamburgers, Western Sandwiches, Fries and Onion Rings 6 pm to 9 pm Thursday Chicken Wings, Hamburgers, Western Sandwiches, Fries and Onion Rings 6 pm to 8 pm Friday Night Specials Fish & Chips 1 st & 3 rd Friday of the month Regular Menu (Hamburger, Hot dogs & Fries) 2 nd Friday of the month Comfort Food Night (Chili, Stew, Spaghetti etc.) 4 th Friday of the month Canteen open Fridays, 4 pm to 6 pm Canadian Trivia The world s first chocolate bars evolved on fishing streams in New Brunswick and were produced by two executives of the Ganong Bros. Candy Factory (founded 1872) at St. Stephen, NB. In 1910, Arthur Ganong & George Ensor made up blocks of chocolate laced with nuts to use as an energizer on fishing trips. The Sales Department thought the idea of chocolate bars a good one, and they were right. The bars were an instant success! 5

7 T H E R O Y A L C A N A D I A N L E G I O N B R A N C H 9 9 Ladies Auxiliary Shirley Stewart The Ladies have been busy with catering to a funeral for one of our member s Father and Grandfather, the canteen Friday night we had Mac and cheese with ceaser salad. We have our Easter Baskets Draw tickets available for sale. Some of the Ladies went to Zone team darts and they did not do very well. I was told they only won one game. Better luck next time girls. We have been asked to do the Dart Banquet for the 418 (Monday night darts). I would like to thank Diane Delarge for all the work she has been doing. Without her none of this would be possible as she likes to cook and she has been looking after all this. Humour Haunt An admiral visited one of the ships of the line under his command. While eating breakfast with the crew he was impressed to see the Naval insignia stamped on every biscuit. He went to the Chief cook to ask how this feat was done, so it could be used on other ships under his command. Sick and Visiting Janis Drummond I am happy to report, we have not much to report. It sounds like everyone is staying fairly healthy. Glad to hear Walter Mudd is home from the Hospital. A sympathy card was sent to George Haines & family on the loss of his mother. If you are ill, we wish you a speedy recovery. If you are well, please remain so. The Chief replied, "I d be glad to share that with you, Admiral. After each biscuit is cut, I just slap it here against my belt buckle which bears the Navy insignia. Horrified the Admiral exclaims, "That's very unhygienic!" Volunteers Wanted If you are interested in becoming a volunteer on one of our various committees, please contact one of the Committee members on page 11. We would truly welcome your participation. The Chief shrugs and replies, "Well, if that s the way you feel, sir, I would suggest that you avoid the donuts entirely." 6

8 The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 99 7

9 The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 99 Legion Office , Fax , Bar Soon! 132 Pinnacle Street, Belleville Ontario, K8N 3A4 President Andy Anderson Past President Bob Morris st Vice President Mike Joyce nd Vice President Jack Crozier rd Vice President Mary Presley Treasurer Joe Drummond Secretary Carol Hamilton Padre Ralph Collins Sgt-At-Arms Mike Joyce Membership Mary Presley Honours & Awards Pat Boulter Service Officer Jane Joyce Poppy Jane Joyce Belleville Vets Council Andy Anderson Sports Bob Reid Youth Education Gerry McConnell Bingo Frank Freeman Funerals Ralph Collins Bar/House/Property Jack Crozier Entertainment Pauline DeGenova Ways & Means Gail Reid Special Events Gail Reid Special Events Coordinator Gary Reid Public Relations/Enlightener Alicia Chambers Public Relations/Enlightener Donna Vickers Public Relations/Enlightener Steven Burr Training & Development Mike Joyce Sick & Visiting Janis Drummond Ladies Auxiliary President Shirley Stewart 1 st Vice President Jean Saulnier 2 nd Vice President Ellen Abbott Secretary/Treasurer Diane Delarge Sgt-At-Arms Brenda Snider 8

10 The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 99 RCL Branch 99 Events Calendar March 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Fish & Chips Daylight Savings General Meeting 7:30 pm Regular Menu 15 St. Paddy s Celebration 2 to 6 pm Fish & Chips Comfort Food Karaoke 6:30 10:30 pm Country Jamboree 7 to10:30 pm Zone Mixed Darts Tryouts 9:00 am Executive Meeting 7:30 pm 9