For the first time, and in celebration of the Royal Canadian Legion’s 100th anniversary, Southampton Legion Branch 155 held its ‘end-of-summer’ parking lot party.
The weather was ideal as hundreds attended what was also a FUNdraising event with entry by donation, held in the Legion-owned parking lot on Grosvenor Street in Southampton, to raise funds for lighting at the improved Helliwell Park for the Saugeen Shores Soccer/football club and for the Legion. A total raised has not yet been determined.
The Legion’s colour party with piper marched in to officially open the event followed by speeches from Legion President Derek Johnston, Mayor Luke Charbonneau, Deputy Mayor Diane Huber, Southampton Ward Councillors John Divinski and Cheryl Grace and Event Organizing Committee Chair John Willetts.
Mayor Charbonneau said that it was a great opportunity to think about the mission of the Legion to serve Veterans and active Service members, RCMP officers, and all their families.
“Their mission is to promote members in our community and across our country and to make our communities better. I think the Southampton Legion has achieved all of those missions in spades over the past 100 years. Sometimes people say ‘Is there still a time for the Legion?/Is the Legion still relevant?’ When you think about the world in which we live today, the uncertainty that’s out there, the challenges going on in the world … I believe we are going to require and rely on our Armed Forces and our active Service members more than ever in the future. So, I think that going forward, the Legion is more relevant than it has ever been. We need the Legion now more than ever because we need organizations like the Legion to be there for those Service members who are there for us every day – here in our country and right around the world. Thank you to the leadership at the Southampton Legion and all Legion members who support it.”
It was a family event with an Open Mic session in the afternoon before the music began with renowned well-known local blues and rock band, Grey Road 1.
Visitors from Meaford and Owen Sound rode in on their bikes to attend. The Vets from all three services, Navy Army and Airforce, call themselves Freedom Riders in support of Legions, Veterans and active Service members. “We are on our way to Sauble and heard about this event and decided to stop in support of Southampton Legion.”
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The 50/50 draw proved to be especially successful with the winner, Nanci Cameron, taking home her share – $7,800.
Photo Gallery
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Memberships at Royal Canadian Legion branches are free until the end of this year in celebration of the 100th Anniversary.
There was a rumour at the event that there may be two events next year … beginning-of-summer and end-of-summer parking lot parties. Many volunteers said to ‘count them in’.
