Royal Canadian Legion #56 Swift Current

Pictures from the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Dieppe ceremony we held on the 31st of August. Thank you to all those who attended.

Photos by John C. Griffin, Branch 56 Public Relations.

Today, we take a moment to remember the injured and those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

We also take a moment to reflect on the acts of courage and selflessness that were taken on that day. We honour the Veterans who served in Afghanistan in the war that followed.

Press release in regard to our 2024 Beef Raffle. Get your tickets today!

"WOW"!! is about the best way to describe the success of our BBQ and Patio Bar held on Saturday in conjunction with the Rogue Cruisers car show on First Ave. NE and in the parking lots and parks - I think there were over 200 units entered in their show. As for our BBQ, we sold over 200 burgers and hot dogs - the response from the public was great! We're very thankful to Redhead Equipment for supplying their "BBQ on Wheels" and for sponsoring the meat. Also to the Webb Colony for supplying alot of the buns. Thanks to Travis Heard and his Family for operating the BBQ - by the end of the day, he and Sheri were coated in grease! Also thanks to all the Legion members who pitched in and did various jobs to make the day a success. It was great to visit with people in the line-up and to receive several comments of "Keep the change" or "Here's a donation I'd like to make to the work of the Legion". All in all, we were overwhelmed by the support and send a sincere "Thank You" to the Rogue Cruisers and to the Community in general for their support.

Are you ready for ? Running from September 15 – 21st, local Legion branches across Canada will be hosting open houses and holding community activities. We can’t wait to see all the wonderful community initiatives, and we’ll be sharing highlights from Legions coast to coast to coast!

The first Crib Tournament of the season will be Saturday September 21st. Please register by Friday September 20th by calling the Office at 306-773-2766 or the Lounge at 306-773-8450. If you're at the Lounge, the sign-up sheet is there. And plan to be at the Lounge by 12:30 on the 21st so we can get all teams registered for play to start at 1 pm. Cost will be $5 per player. Lunch will be available for purchase at half-time. We'll also have our usual 50/50 during the tournament. All are welcome. Hope to see you there...

On this day in 1945, Japan signed an official statement of surrender ending the Second World War.

After Germany’s surrender on May 8,1945, the Japanese Army was the only remaining Axis Power continuing to fight the allied forces.

Their surrender came just under four years after the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain declared war on Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor. We Remember the more than 10,000 Canadians who had served and the countless lives lost.

Photo: General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander, and General Wainwright, who surrendered to the Japanese after Bataan and Corregidor, witness the formal Japanese surrender signatures aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on Sept. 2, 1945. Several dozen aging U.S. veterans, including some who were in Tokyo Bay as swarms of warplanes buzzed overhead and nations converged to end World War II, will gather on the battleship in Pearl Harbor in September to mark the 75th anniversary of Japan's surrender.

Saturday September 7th - another Legion Activity! Branch #56 will be hosting an outdoor BBQ between 11 am and 3 pm. This will be in conjunction with the Rogue Cruisers Car Show taking place on 1st Ave. NE. Burgers will be available for $5 (double burger for $7) and Hot Dogs for $4. Conmdiments will include cheese, onions and the standards such as mustard and relish. The Patio Bar will also be open so you can sit and enjoy a beverage with your burger/hot dog. We send a sincere "THANK YOU" to Redhead Equipment for supplying their BBQ and for sponsoring the meat. Also to the Heard Family for doing the cooking! Come on down and enjoy looking at the many vehicles on display, stop and say "Hi" to the Legion people and enjoy a Burger or Hot Dog. We welcome one and all! Hope to see you there!

With September upon us, fall activities are about to get underway. Branch #56 Tuesday Dinners will start for the season on September 10th. We welcome one and all to attend and enjoy a meal, fellowship and our usual 50/50 each Tuesday. We raised the price a bit this year but still feel it's a good deal. Here's the menu for the first part of the season. Hope to see you there...

A big fluffy hero. 🐕

During the , the Royal Rifles of Canada had a very special member of the regiment—a big Newfoundland dog named Gander. When they were sent to serve in Hong Kong, Sergeant Gander joined the regiment, bringing comfort and companionship to the Canadians who were far away from their families and homes.

During heavy fighting in Hong Kong in December 1941, a Japanese gr***de was tossed near a group of wounded soldiers. The dog picked it up in his mouth and ran away from the Canadians. It exploded, killing Gander.

Gander’s actions saved the lives of seven of his soldier-friends that night.

Learn more about Gander’s regiment in Hong Kong: https://ow.ly/hRtp50T7W3e

Legion week is coming up quick! Running from September 15th – 21st, we cannot see what local Legions coast to coast to coast come up with this year. We’ll be sharing highlights from Legion branches all across Canada in support of

Today we honour and Remember VJ Day – Victory over Japan, marking the anniversary of Japan’s surrender and the end of the Second World War.

Today, take a moment to Remember the Veterans who fought and sacrificed, and let us Never Forget the lessons of history. To all those who served, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we extend our deepest gratitude.

Photo: Members of Vancouver’s Chinatown also held a parade in celebration of VJ-Day. Thousands attended.

Join us for the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of Dieppe. Special presentation and reception at the Legion following the ceremony.

The 2024 Royal Canadian Legion- National Youth Track and Field Championships is almost here! We cannot wait to welcome our Legion Ambassador Mike Trauner - Veteran & Para-Athlete and all of the young Canadian athletes to the 2024 competition event. See you all in a few more days in Calgary!

Ready to be part of something bigger than yourself? Join The Royal Canadian Legion and make a real impact in your community and the lives of Veterans all across Canada.

There are so many ways to join! Sign up online by visiting https://www.legion.ca/join-us, call 1-855-330-3344, or join in person at your local Legion Branch.

Attention All Branch 56 Members

A special Branch meeting is to be held Tuesday 6 August at 1900 hours.

80 years ago yesterday, the 8th Recce (14th CH) landed in France.
Not long after the D-Day Landings, the regiment formed a small advance party consisting of the CO (Lt. Col. Alway), his Batman/Driver, the Regimental Quartermaster, and the Intelligence Officer. They then proceeded overseas to France. Command of the regiment was left to Major A.A. Ballachey, the 2 I/C.
On the 29th of June, the 8th Recce received standby orders. Then on the 1st of July they cleaned up and broke camp (located at Goodnestone, Kent). The following day, the regiment moved to their embarkation point, the east docks of London. Having left Goodnestone in the early morning hours, the 8th Recce arrived at the docks around 0700 hours.
Immediately upon arrival, all drivers and crew moved their vehicles to their shiploads and the men began conducting second stage waterproofing on their vehicles. The regiments stay in London was not a pleasant one to say the least. They consistently had to cease work in order to take cover in the air raid shelters due to a high volume of incoming of VI rockets. The rockets came in at an average rate of one per hour.
At 1730 hours on the 5th of July, the regiment received orders to load and prepare to move. Once at the ship, the men conducted their third stage waterproofing. By 2200 hours that night all vehicles and personnel were aboard. An hour later the ramp was raised and the doors shut. The ship was then pulled from the dock by a tug and was now in the Thames.
At 1900 hours on 6 July 1944, the ship raised anchor and proceeded on its way across the channel. By 0600 hours on the 7th, the 8th Recce was nearing the French Coast. The trip for the most part was uneventful, save for when a friendly ship dropped depth charges on a possible submarine threat.
At 2030 hours that night the men could see the Norman Coast of France. Roughly a half hour later a large force of Lancaster bombers zipped overhead headed inland. Within ten minutes anti-aircraft fire and flares light up the night sky along the coast. An hour later the orange glow of a fire could be seen in the distance, likely in the direction of Caen.
At midnight the ship dropped anchor. The morning of the 8th was the regiment's first day off the coast of France (near Tracey-sur-Mer - near Arromanches-les-Bains). At 1600 hours the LST was beached (as soon as the tide went out). At 1800 hours the regiment came ashore. The regiment then proceeded to their assembly area and removed the waterproofing from their vehicles. Later that night at 1930 hours, they moved to another staging area at Meauvaines. The 8th Recce was now in theatre. Five days later, the regiment would suffer its first three combat fatalities, Trooper Barney Isliefson, Lance Corporal Gunnar Wium, and Trooper Russell Owchar.

Saturday 31 August 2024 - Royal Canadian Legion Branch 56 Swift Current will be hosting a ceremony to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of Dieppe and surrounding areas as well as the 8th Recce's role in these historic liberations. Current schedule of events are as follows:
0945 hours - form up outside of the Legion, then parade to the cenotaph in Memorial Park.
1000-1100 hours - Ceremony
Afterwards RCL Branch 56 invites all those in attendance to the Legion Lounge for reception and tours of the Branch 56 museum. More details to follow. 231 1st Ave NE, Swift Current, Saskatchewan

Please note the hours of operation for the Lounge during the summer...

FREE!! 18 cubic foot Viking Freezer available for the taking. Works well. Reason for letting it go: The Legion bought an upright freezer. Located in the lounge area. Come down and see this appliance. Contact Legion office (306-773-2766) or Lounge (306-773-8450).

A big thank you to the local cadets for all their help caring for the Field of Honour at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Statement in regards to the use of 50/50 For Change funds to conduct repairs/ improvements to the Legion Hall.

Additional photos from today's ceremony commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings. Thank you to all those who attended.

Photo Credit: John C. Griffin, Public Relations, Branch 56

On Sunday June 9th, Branch #56 hosted a D-Day commemoration service at the Cenotaph in Memorial Park. This service was well attended by Members, Cadets and the public. A highlight was having Comrade Laird Clifton bring his Bren Gun Carrier. He transported Comrade John Watson (98 years young) from the Legion to Memporial Park. He was assisted by Comrade Andy Keys. Comrade Watson also laid the wreath in mempory of those who took part in D-Day, many of whom never returned.