by Lucie Roy
The Royal Canadian Legion Morinville Branch 176 held its awards night on 01 May with more than 50 in attendance.
The Pin Awards for Years of Service included Comrade Leo Brochu, a WWIII veteran and charter member of the Branch, who was unable to attend to receive his 70-year pin. The pin will be presented to him at Aspen at a later date. Pins are awarded for every five years served and 10, 15, 20, 25.30, 35, 40, 45. 50 and 70-year pins were ready for presentation. Comrade Vic Johnson was in attendance and received his 50-year pin.
Legion Padre Gary White, who also received a Certificate of Merit for going above and beyond with his time and service to the Legion, was the only recipient of a Branch Service Medal.
More than 20 Certificates of Merit were presented along with more than 10 Certificates of Appreciation awarded to individuals and businesses.
On behalf of the Legion Branch, 1st Vice- President Ira Austin and President Gerry Morrow were presented with a plaque for 70 years of service by RCL District 8 Commander Wayne Willis. The Morinville Branch was chartered on Feb. 7, 1946, and as of the end of April currently has less than 200 members. Morrow said for next year he hopes to make it a success and get more of the Legions members active.
“Our biggest issue is to get members to come out,” Morrow said. “We run with the same dozen people.”
Four Legion members received the Morinville Legion Legionnaire of the Year Award (top photo). Legion members presented with the award were Joe Jacob, Danny Clarke, Raelyn Crush and Ira Austin. Presenting the awards was President Gerry Morrow, assisted by Sgt-at-Arms Claude Phaneuf.
The evening included a few donations to numerous organizations, including Alliance Church, Guides, Scouts, and the Sturgeon Hockey Club Donations totalled a little over $17,000.
The Morinville Legion is looking at renovating bathrooms for accessibility upstairs and downstairs as well as a kitchen floor renovation this year.
Above: Morinville Legion Associate member Phil Morrow was presented with his twenty-year pin.
