When we first heard of the rule change at Tobermory Legion (Branch 290) allowing hats to be worn during social events like the meat draw, it was a bit of a gut punch for sure! Our immediate thoughts were that it would make our fathers roll over in their graves. But as we didn’t attend the meetings, and neglected to open the emails sent out by the legion about the meeting, we really didn’t have a right to complain.
But upon learning more about the reasons behind the decision and knowing that everyone on the executive only had the best interests and the financial future of the legion at heart, that helped us understand their reasoning – along with the fact that legion command has made it an option for all legion branches to consider this change if they feel it has financial benefits and that no disrespect would be shown.
So when this was brought up at the meeting and passed by a two thirds majority, I’m sure the executive thought they had done something beneficial for the branch.
The legion is the heart and soul of the community – so important to so many people and was so valued by veterans. We thought, well if there is another general meeting where this is brought up we would do our duty and attend and hopefully modify this decision so it only applies to later in the evening social events like the Halloween dance where all kinds of hatwear was worn with absolutely no one caring.
But then stories started circulating about the abuse heaped on the executive for their actions. Abuse inside and outside of the legion. Bullying that took place online, in the grocery store, post office and on the street. Shameful remarks made to volunteers who only had the legion’s best interest at heart.
Our fathers joined the military to fight to stop bullying by dictators around the world, leaders who encouraged their nations’ members to bully and harass others who did not agree with their beliefs. This led to concentration camps and wars. This is what our families stood up and fought against.
The fact that this bullying behaviour led to the resignation of the entire executive (an unheard of legion happening) and chased away folks who have given their time, money and resources to support this branch is disgusting!
A huge thank you and a huge apology should be offered to this board who had eagerly done so much in the past for this legion!
I’ve photographed Remembrance Day for many years but the pride and smiles on the colour guard and parade grew and grew over the past number of years! Last fall, I shared pictures just showing the pride on the faces of those people in doing the best job they could to honour our veterans and the legion.
It was the tireless efforts of the Sergeant at Arms which led to the restoration of the monument, along of course with the help of so many others, but he provided the knowledge, sweat and inspiration.
The reason our veterans joined our armed forces was for one common cause – to protect democracy! To protect the right to vote! And to adhere to the results of the vote, at least until another referendum can be taken. This is what our families fought for! Not to bully and deride volunteers. Definitely not to tell a member of our military he’s not a real veteran because he was never posted overseas in a war. Both of our daughters served, but not in conflict thank God! And that’s because our fathers fought to stop more wars! But they were ready to do so and had gone through the necessary training! This option of basic training is available to all Canadians if they wished to commit to serve their country. Our country and legion considers anyone who has shown the fortitude, loyalty and willingness to go through basic training, one of the toughest character building things you can do in life, a veteran! It’s absolutely disgraceful to call a veteran a non-veteran!
Our oldest daughter, who sadly passed away far too young, has her name on a flag on Remembrance Day, and one of the most thoughtful and heartbreaking events of her passing was when after her service we passed by the cenotaph and saw the flag lowered to half mast by an incredibly thoughtful kind legion! The one I hope can be restored with acts of humility and compassion to those who were so cruelly chased away.
Perhaps if you see a member of the past executive, veteran or not, thank them for their service!
Mike and Wendy Reid
