Royal Canadian Legion

MINUTES OF THE ZONE MEETING HELD AT
BRANCH 001 IN BADEN ON SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2009

In Attendance:

Zone

Zone Commander, Reg Bonnar
Deputy Zone Commander, Gerry Lemay
Zone Service Officer, Valerie Laucke
Sgt-at-Arms, Jocelyn Gelinas

Branch 001

President, Kevin Grainger
Membership, Cam Audet
Treasurer, Geoff Sanger
Secretary, Byng Giraud

Branch 002

President, Bill Fairley
1st Vice President, Ken Gardiner

Branch 003

Sgt-at-Arms Denis St Pierre

Branch 004

President, Geatan Bienvenue
1st Vive President, Harry Irish
Service Officer, Raymond Robbins

Branch 005

Secretary, Tineke Lamberts
Sgt-at-Arms, Hendrik Kuiper

Observer Members in Attendance:

Branch 001

Member, Heinz Birnesser

Branch 003

Member, Liz Hine
Member, Valerie Corbeil

Branch 004

Member, Hubert Gaenswein


Item Description

Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Zone Commander distributed to each Branch an information folder. The contents of the folder will be listed as Annex A.

1. The Zone Commander opened the meeting at 1400 hours by welcoming all in attendance. Continuing his remarks he asked all present to stand and observe a moment of silence to pay tribute to our fallen comrades on the anniversary of the death of our former Zone Commander Thomas Andrews, Syd Phillips, George MacMullen and other members. The Zone Commander recited the Act of Remembrance. The Zone Commander also wished John Wallace who is in the hospital a speedy recovery.

2. The Zone Commander reviewed the minutes of the last Zone Meeting held at Branch 004 in Lahr on 31 January 2009. There being no observations of errors or omissions to the report a motion to adopt the minutes as presented was made by Comrade Bill Fairley and seconded by Comrade Ken Gardiner.

Motion Carried

3. The Zone Financial Statement included in the information folder was reviewed. There being no observations raised to the report a motion to adopt the financial statement as presented was made by Comrade Bill Fairley and seconded by Comrade Jeoff Sanger.

Motion Carried

Old Business

4. 23 Nov 2008 Choloy Ceremony

Unfortunately because of unforeseen circumstances Branch 001 who host this event was unable to do so on the above date. This annual event is in the schedule for Sunday 22 Nov 2009; however, if this date is not convenient Branch 001 may consider an alternate date. The important think is that we pay our annual respect to our comrades laid to rest in this cemetery. The president of Branch 001 said to leave the date for now and if a change is necessary he will advise in plenty of time and they will definitely do this ceremony in the fall of this year.

5. 2 Feb Branch 005 Holten Ceremony

Branch 005 hosted Members of the Selkirk, Manitoba Branch 042 and provided a Colour Party during a ceremony at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. A reception was held at the club house in Lochem following the ceremony.

6. Thursday 09 April Vimy Ridge Day

This ceremony took place as you have been advised. It was a sunset ceremony at 1930 hours. The ceremony was well organized and had a good turn out of spectators on a warm evening. Our participation with a Legion Colour Party was appreciated. Four buglers from the Memin Gate in Ypres plaid the Last Post. A wreath was laid on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion. A reception followed in the town of Vimy where we had the opportunity to chat with visiting Canadians.

7. 14 April Branch 005 Zwolle Ceremony

On an invitation from the mayor of Zwolle Branch 005 participated in a ceremony with a Colour Party on the occasion of naming a city street honouring one of the Canadian Liberators. The street was named after the first Canadian to enter the city "Cpl Leo Major". Family members were present and unveiled the street sign. The mayor presented the widow of Cpl Major a replica of the street sign "Leo Majorlaan" as a memento of the occasion. Also present was Comrade Piet Polderdijk and his City of Apeldoorn Pipes and Drums.

New Business

8. 4-5 May 2009 Liberation of the Netherlands Ceremonies

On Sunday 3 May Legionnaires from the Baden and Lahr area will travel to the Netherlands. We should arrive at the Dutch Military Kaserne in Ede at approximately 1530 hours. Hendrik will meet us and assign us to our rooms.

On Monday 4 May we will depart Ede at 0730 hours have breakfast on route to Holten. Arrive at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten at approximately 1000 hours. Ceremony will commence at 1100 hours. Branch 005 will provide the Colour Party. Other members are to be prepared to take part in the Colour Party if necessary. Other branches who wish to include their branch banners as part of the Colour Party at this ceremony are welcome to do so.

Following the ceremony in Holten we will visit the club house of Branch 005 in the town of Lochem where we will have lunch and spent a few hours with our host and the proprietor's Comrades Yvonne and Berry Swarthoff.

At some point in the afternoon we will accompany a British War Veteran who makes an annual pilgrimage to Lochem to place a wreath to his fallen comrades of the West Essex Regiment at a memorial on the outskirts of Lochem.

If time permits on our way to Apeldoorn we will stop in Wilp to meet with the PPCLI RE-Enactment Group who will be setting up camp for there annual event of remembering the struggle of the PPCLI that liberated this area. Dressed in PPCLI uniforms and with many vehicles, tents, a good old army kitchen and weapons of that time through displays and re-enactment keep alive the battles which the PPCLI had in clearing the area and getting across the River Ijssel on their way north to Groningen.

At 1900 hours by invitation from the mayor of Apeldoorn Mr. Fred De Graaf we met at the city hall and take part in the silent march and wreath laying ceremony at the memorial located in the near by city park. Following a short reception at city hall we head back to Ede for a late supper.

On Tuesday 5 May we will participate with a Colour Party at the parade in Wageningen for the annual National Commemoration Capitulations 1945 Ceremony. We will form up and march behind Piet and his band. Hendrik will form the Colour Party with members present. Although the parade takes place around 1500 hours we should be in Wageningen by 1100 hours or you will find no place to park.

Wednesday 6 May 0730 hours we will have breakfast at the mess if it is open and head for home.

The Zone Commander then turned the floor over to Hendrik for final instructions or information pertaining to the ceremonies. Hendrik said the parade route has changed slightly and is a little longer, we will start at the university campus as in the past couple of years and we will end the parade also in this location. Hendrik also requested other Branches to bring their colours and march them in the parade which will provide us with a larger contingent.

9. Sunday 03 May Branch 003 annual ceremony at Hotten/Bure in Belgium

This ceremony honours those who fought and those who died in the Battle of the Ardennes also called the Battle of the Bulge. Although the US Army did suffer the brunt of the offensive launched by the Germans on 16 Dec 1944 the contribution of the British 30th Corps that moved to the front on 20 Dec can not be under estimated. From 22 Dec the 51st Highland Division, the 53rd Welsh Division and an Armoured Brigade occupied defensive positions between Maastricht and Givet to oppose any attempt by the Germans to cross the River Meuse. Due to limited number of men in the 30th Corps the British 6th Airborne was brought into action.

A counter offensive was ordered by the Allied High Command 3 Jan 1945. Over icy roads, in freezing cold and snow the 6th Airborne Regiment moved to the front. The Canadian Para's liberated Rochefort and the British Para's following three days of intense fighting and heavy losses occupied Bure. The Para's continued their advance with a Squadron of Belgium SAS Paratroopers protecting their flank.

On 4 Jan the 53rd Welsh Division who is now occupying the battered 84th US Infantry Divisions position moved forward to the combat zone between Marche-en-Famenne and Hotton. The advance slowed considerably due to a heavy snowstorm, the hilly and wooded terrain, a thick layer of snow and temperatures close to -20°C.

On 8 Jan the Scots of the 51st Highland Division relieve the Welsh who are exhausted and numb with cold. Despite the snow, cold, minefields and roadblocks the Scots liberate Roche-en-Ardenne and many other villages in this area and on a few occasions linked up with American Units.

Early in the morning of 11 Jan a patrol of Canadian Paratroopers enters the village of Bande and to their horror discover the bodies of 34 civilians shot and dumped in the basement of a ruined house. A few hours later they hand over the village to the British Para Unit who was accompanied by the Belgium SAS Para's.

Also on 11 Jan coming from Grupont and arriving 24 hours ahead of the men of the 87th US Infantry Division a patrol of French SAS Paratroopers entered Saint Hubert set up their command post and received the key to the town by way of gratitude.

On 16 Jan, having achieved all of their objectives, Montgomery decided and ordered the withdrawal of the British 30th Corps Units from the Ardennes.

10. 1 July Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Service

The Zone Commander has not received the official invitation to date but has discussed the ceremony with the Director of Beaumont-Hamel at the ceremony in Vimy on 9 April. Ms. King has requested a Legion Colour Party and will be sending the invitation and instructions in due course. Information will be forwarded to the Branches and posted on the webpage when received.

11. 1 July Canada Day Celebrations

This item will be discussed under Report by Branches later in the agenda.

12. 19 July Nijmegen Marchers Ceremony in Groesbeek

Branch 005 with assistance from Branch 003 will do a ceremony in support of the Canadian Military Contingent that participates in the Nijmegen March at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. Hendrik added that he has heard nothing from the Canadian Contingent Commander to date but they will be ready to provide support. He also added members wishing to attend this ceremony are advised to arrive early or you are garneted to miss the ceremony.

13. 8-12 August Normandy Pilgrimage 2009

At the Zone meeting in January complications with this event which was basically arranging accommodation for a trip in June was discussed. Branch president were instructed to provide a list to zone at this meeting of members who make a commitment to attend this event. If sufficient interest is achieved then further options will be discussed otherwise the event will be cancelled. The Branches failed to provide a list of members wishing to attend this event and since through discussion it was obvious a trip to Normandy in June was not possible Zone suggested a pilgrimage in August the dates for planning purposes 9-13 Aug.

Through continued discussion it was obvious there was no use in flogging this proposal further. Branch 002 was the only Branch that showed an interest. The Zone Sgt-at-Arms made a motion that the trip to Normandy be cancelled. The motion was seconded by Comrade Bill Fairley. The Zone Commander called for a vote on the motion and it was unanimous that the trip be cancelled

Motion Carried

14. Membership

The Zone Commander said he emphasizes at every zone meeting the importance of membership and the necessity to keep in contact in particular to those members that live far from your branch and you see only occasionally. The Zone Commander recently received inquires from the following and requested the Branches to action;

Branch 002 apparently Comrade Frank Reaman from Belgium has not received his 2009 Membership Card.

Branch 003 you have four members of the Clue family from Belgium who apparently don't have information on how to pay their membership dues. He suggested the Branch write to them with this information.

15. Correspondence

I received an e-mail from Steven Clark, Administrative Officer at Dominion Command "Reg. It is a pleasure to provide support for the important commemorative work of Europe Zone". By this you can see our efforts are recognized by Dominion Command.

I received a phone call from Gail Campbell who is the District of Germany Welfare Coordinator for the Royal British Legion. The Royal British Legion will be conducting a Welfare Case Workers Course/Seminar in Bad Oeynhausen (near Herford) on 5-7 June 09. Since we are in the same business and to help reduce travel costs The Royal British Legion is interested in getting some one in the southern part of Germany to do case work for them. This basically entails making an initial visit to a person in need. Get the required information documented and forward this information to the welfare department of the Royal British Legion. The Zone Commander distributed this information in more detail to the Branches in this area and interested members are to let him know.

16. Report by Branches

Branch 001; The President Kevin Grainger reported the Branch is slowly getting organized in their new facility. Some problems arose with scheduling events since the former manager of the facility disappeared earlier this year. This should stabilize now that the community is organizing a new arena committee and we will be able to get back on track with fixed dates for events etc. Bingo participation has dwindled but is still going. 1 May the branch will have a BBQ. Saturday 04 July the Branch will have their Canada Day events and are looking forward to organizing a curling bonspiel in the fall.

Branch 002; The President Bill Fairley reported that due to the declining interest of the members with the exception of ceremonial participation he has nothing new to report.

Branch 03; On behalf of the President Brian Burchard who was unable to attend the Branch Sgt-at-Arms Denis St-Pierre reported the branch is doing very well although this summer there is going to be a large turnover of personnel and the Branch is loosing twelve of its fairly active members. The Branch had elections to fill vacancies and a new list will be forwarded to Zone in the near future. Eight members have sighed up for the ceremony on 03 May and in addition to the ceremony in Hotten/Bure we lay crosses at the site of an all Canadian Air Crew that crashed into a wooded area at nearby Samree/Lamormenil. The aircraft was a Hudson T9445 and crashed on 21 March 1945. The memorial pays tribute to Flight Lieutenant RICHARD NICHOLAS FERRIS, Warrant Officer Class I ROBERT GERALD HUTTON, Flight Lieutenant ALLAN FRAYNE PENHALE, and Flying Officer JAMES EDWARD TRAILL all members of RAF Squadron 161, Royal Canadian Air Force. They are buried in a CWGC Cemetery at Havelle which is near Brussels, Belgium.

Branch 004; The President Gaetan Bienvenue reported the Branch is doing fine. He is extremely pleased with participation of members at Branch functions. Recently the Branch had a turkey dinner and he was overwhelmed by the turn out of members. The next Branch event will be Thursday 30 April bar opens at 1800 hours with a light meal being served at 1900. The Branch will have a small remembrance ceremony in June at Werl and Canada Day activities is in the planning and will take place again at the lake in Langenwinkel.

Branch 005; On behalf of the President Peter Spierenburg who due to prior commitments is unable to be with us today the Branch Secretary Tineke Lamberts reported the Branch had a general meeting in the morning of 07 March with more than half the membership present. Difficulties experienced within the Executive were discussed in an open and objective way. In the afternoon was the call for elections. The Election Committee Chairman Comrade Danny Murphy assisted by Comrade Martin van der Poel is to be commended on the great job they did. Elected were; President Peter Spierenburg, 1st Vice President Mark Hoedeman, Secretary Tineke Lamberts, Treasurer Piet Polderdijk and the Sgt-at-Arms Hendrik Kuiper. The focus of the Executive for the time being will be to provide support for official ceremonies and others who want to commemorate our liberators and those of the fallen that are buried here in the Netherlands. Ensure the Poppy Campaign gets up and running correctly. Work on strengthening our membership and finally getting the Royal Canadian Legion and our Branch better know to the Dutch people through a publicity project.

17. Open Discussion

For the benefit of the new executive members the Zone Commander started the open discussion by explaining the role of Zone Ceremonial Fund including where the money comes from and how it is spent.

The Zone Commander also gave an overview of the member's responsibility when attending ceremonies, emphasizing the fact that we are there representing Canada, our Veterans, the Royal Canadian Legion consequently members are expected to act accordingly, ending with if you are not prepared to accept this responsibility then consider not attending these functions.

The president of Branch 001 asked if Branch 003 could look into finding cheaper accommodations for members attending the Zone Meeting in July. The Zone Sgt-at-Arms said the problem is that this timeframe is in the peak of the military rotation but if you let me know in plenty of time the possibility exists he could probably find something cheaper and maybe outside Geilenkirchen but if you wait until the last minute which is usually the case then he is stuck with whatever is available.

18. Meeting Adjournment

There being no further business to discuss a motion was made by Comrade Geata Bienvenue and seconded by Comrade Harry Irish that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 1640 hours.

Note: Saturday 25 Jul a Zone Meeting will be held at 1400 hours at Branch 003 in Geilenkirchen.

Annex A to the
Minutes of the Zone Meeting
Held on 25 April 2009

Contents of the Folder,

" Itinerary for the Zone Meeting
" Minutes of last Zone Meeting held at Branch 004 on 31 January 2009
" Financial Statement covering period 27 January to 22 April 2009
" Correspondence
" Branch contribution to the Ceremonial Fund
" Branch Membership Information