I am disgusted, annoyed and upset about the letter in the Advocate’s Nov. 25, 2009, issue by Joe Young, a respected Second World War veteran.
Unfortunately, it appears that Joe is still living in the past and expects the Legion to continue as it has in the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and 1990s.
Why doesn’t Young realize that we are approaching 2010 and things cannot be as it used to be?
Veterans from his generation, who are greatly respected and appreciated for what they have done for the freedom we cherish today, are all in their 80s and understandably, some are unable to support the Legion anymore.
What is the Legion to do to keep it alive with declining ordinary veteran membership? Are the present veterans able to run the Legion and generate sufficient income each month to keep from closing its doors?
Red Deer’s branch is oversized in space and we do not need such a large building.
To enable us to keep the branch open, to serve and welcome those veterans from the present overseas conflicts that are taking place, we have to look for other sources of revenue.
To achieve this, I am one who had voted that the unneeded space, only used occasionally, should be rented out commercially, to generate an independent income to keep the doors of the Legion open.
Do not fear, all those activities that take place in your Legion will continue, albeit, on a slightly smaller scale.
In my view, the past executive has done everything right, and should be commended for their foresight, dedication and hard work to keep your Legion alive and well for many years to come.
Joe Collins
Past First VP
Royal Canadian Legion
Branch 35
Red Deer