Interviewees

-Gilbert Gordon- Past-President of  Legion Branch 212

      Gilbert joined the Legion in 1946 so 2011 will be his 65th year in the Legion.  He served in Navy during the Second World War mostly in convey duty.   He was awarded the Battle of the Atlantic Star during his duty.  He was part of the C-3 group on the ship Rivere de Loup.  He recounted tales from the War such as travelling from St-John's Newfoundland all the way to Liverpool and the events a long the way, it was all very interesting. Gilbert is also a very active member of his Legion, branch 212 in LaSalle.  He explained how he could have joined any other social club but the Legion was close to his heart, because he lost a lot of good friends.  He explained how the Legion was very important for the community and he enjoyed his many roles in the Legion. He has been President of the Legion and although it was a lot of work he always knew it was a very important job.

-Leonard Collins-Former President, Legion Branch 212

Leonard is a veteran from the Air force during WWII, his served on a base located in Newfoundland. He never went overseas, although he jokingly explained how Newfoundland was overseas at the time since it was not yet a part of Canada, yet he served diligently on the air force base learning how to fly.  He is very active in his Legion as the past President.  He was always there for the veterans and the community and explains how important it is to have somewhere to go and keep busy. Leonard explained how his grandson is also a student at Concordia University and he is proud that the younger generation are so active in the community and remembering the past. Leonard has been visiting elementary schools for 8-9 years recounting his tales from the war and trying to keep the younger generation interested in its military history.

-Brian Willett- First Vice and Acting  President of Branch 212 

     Brian Willet is doing an excellent job as acting President of Legion 212 as the former President fell ill.  Brian Willett is also very active in his community as he is a Cadet leader.  He is now trying to integrate the cadets into the Legion and show them how important the Legion is for the community. Brian explained to us how he is there for the veterans and they are the ones who started the Legion and so we must carry the torch for them.  He understands the importance of the Legion for its members and the community and he explained how he is there for the members if they need anything.

-Norman Mungham and Allen Caulderwood

         Norman Mungham and Allen Caulderwood fought in the Korean War. Interestingly enough, they never knew each other during the war and they met through the Legion. Although Mr. Caulderwood is part of the N.D.G. branch, he often visits Legion 212 since Legions are generally connected to each other. Both men described the Legion as a place for them to remember their past in the war. Unfortunately for Mr. Mungham and Mr. Caulderwood, the Korean War is often referred to as the forgotten war. This is because it took place right after WWII and the economic boom at the time took people’s mind away from the war in Korean. Today it unfortunately occurs often that the younger generation does not understand the significance of war and recognize the soldiers in the manner they should.  Both veterans are concerned about the membership within the Legion, especially Mr. Caulderwood who stated that it looks like a lot of them will eventually close down. Both men, being retired, generally use the Legion as a place to reminisce about their past and stay connected with various events within it. What they seem to look forward to the most in all the events is the women's cooking, including corn beef and cabbage and various baked goods.

-Rita Bowers, Poppy Campaign President Branch 212

     Rita is an active member of branch 212 and she became connected to this Legion through her brother who was past president. She would volunteer and help her brother with many of his duties.  One of these was the poppy campaign and eventually she was on the executive committee and was the President of the Poppy campaign.  Rita wishes that more people would become educated about the importance of the poppy and remembrance in general. One comment which was so moving was when she explained how people should remember the veterans because they fought for us and who knows what we would have done without them. Rita tries to help out as much as she can at the Legion and she explained how important it is for the community.

-Vera Hill-Sherlock - Treasurer of Ladies Auxiliary Branch 212    

  Vera is the current treasurer of the Ladies Auxiliary since 1982. She has been a member of the Legion ever since 1953, when she joined under her father. Since then, she has been actively participating in many events and activities such as the Bazaar. Her main task as treasurer is to balance the books and look after all the money. She also is part of the hospital welfare group - where she and a group of others visit the St. Anne de Bellevue's hospital once a month to see the veterans. The activity that she spoke about extensively was the special day known as "Vet's Day," which is when the veterans from St. Anne's hospital come visit the Legion. She is the coordinator of that event which is a big success every year. Everyone enjoys the corned beef and cabbage that is prepared by the Ladies and the kitchen crew. The menu doesn't change and this is likely because the corned beef and cabbage is a precious memory for the veterans. Performers attend as well, paid for by the Ladies Auxiliary, to come entertain the group. For Vera, the Legion represents friendship. She stated in her interview that going out to the Legion as well as participating in and organizing various activities was much better than sitting at home.

-Mary Snell - President of Ladies Auxiliary Branch 212

    Mary Snell is the current President of the Ladies' Auxiliary and she has been a member of the Legion for 45 years. Her job is to oversee all of the members of the Ladies' Auxiliary, making sure that they do their jobs. The Auxiliary is responsible for organizing various events in the Legion including bazaars, which occur twice a year, dinners, including for young cadets, and dances. It also provides food for veterans at the St. Anne's Hospital. Mary plays an active role in the Legion as she not only started making and selling handicraft at the bazaars ever since she arrived, but she is also responsible for the food shopping. Ms. Snell, 85, doesn't know what she would do without the Legion. She stated in her interview that without the Legion she would be staying home doing nothing. Sadly, membership within the Ladies' Auxiliary is going down every year, mainly because of older members passing away and the needed requirement of strong dedication. The fact that even membership within the Legion is slowly diminishing proves to be a concern for Mary, who needs to keep active. Luckily, being a lively and dynamic member of the Legion, she is able to bring life within the Legion with her dedication and hard work put into the events that help keep the Legion alive.

-Bernice Mungham

    Bernice Mungham is an active member of Legion 212.  She is the wife of Norman Mungham, a Korean War veteran and enjoys helping out whenever she can.  Bernice explained how important the Legion is to the community and how they offer food certificates and help out with wheelchairs, crutches and in any other way they can.  She explained how important it is for the younger generation to be interested in the Legion and understand what it means for the community.   Bernice explained how important it is to educate people about the poppy and remembrance and she hopes this project will help achieve that.

- William Ludlow

William Ludlow fought in the WWII in the Black Watch.  He has a strong connection to his regiment the Black Watch and he does not know what he would do without them.  He enjoys some of the events at the Legion and likes to know it is there for him if he needs it. William explained how the Legion is a great place to make new friends or meet old friends, however the Black Watch is more like a family and so there is a difference. William tries to visit his regiment once every month and although all of his comrades have past away he is still active in his regiment and at the Legion

-Sylvain L'Heureux (RCMP)

    Sylvain is a Staff Sergeant Major with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and has been working with the RCMP for 29 years.  His specific duty is working as the Sergeant Major for the Province of Quebec in relation to ceremonies, protocols and public affairs. In these functions he finds himself interacting with a lot of people, many whom are members of the Legions and former military.  He explained how there were a lot of former military in the RCMP and so he understands the environment. He explained how the Legion was a support for veterans and they are there for the community.  He also explained how important it is to remember. Sylvain who is also the leader of a cadet group explained how important it is to “remember to remember” on November 11th.    

-Jean-Pierre Riendeau

    Jean-Pierre is a lifeskills and addiction counsellor in Ottawa. He is associations include the 22ieme Regiment in Ottawa/Gatineau, The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, The Canadian Guards, The Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping, the National Aboriginal Veterans Association and the Métis Council of Ottawa.  Jean-Pierre has grown up associated with the military all his life, as his grandfather and then father were also in the military.  He explained how the sash he wears, which can be seen in the photo, is a symbol of his Métis heritage and he wears it proudly.  He believes that remembering and understanding what our soldiers went through and are currently going through is very important.