MINUTES OF THE ZONE EUROPE MEETING HELD AT

BRANCH 001 IN SÖLLINGEN ON 23 APRIL 2005

 

 

Zone Executive Council in Attendance:

 

Zone                              Zone Commander                                          Reg Bonnar

                                      Deputy Zone Commander                              Gerard Lemay

                                      Zone Secretary                                              Patrick Gaussiran

                                      Zone Sgt-At-Arms                                         Jocelyn Gelinas

 

Branch 001                     President                                                       Harry Irish

                                      1st Vice President                                          Matthew Guyea

                                      2nd Vice President                                          Kevin Grainger

                                      Treasurer                                                      Geoffrey Sanger

                                      Membership                                                  Cam Audet        

                                     

Branch 002                     1st Vice President                                          Bill Fairley

                                     

Branch 003                     Immediate Past President                               Valerie Laucke

                                     

Branch 004                     President                                                       Rorie Tryhorn

                                      1st Vice President                                          Lasca Monrose

                                      2nd Vice President                                          Hubert Ganswein

                                      Secretary                                                      Frank Becker

                                      Sgt-At-Arms                                                 Lucien Perraut

                                                                                                         

Branch 005                     President                                                       Ben Zonnenberg

                                      Treasurer                                                      Piet Polderdyk

                                     

Observer Member in Attendance:

 

Branch 001                     Member                                                        Syd Phillips

Branch 001                     Member                                                        John Wallace

Branch 001                     Member                                                        Heinz Birnesser

Branch 001                     Member                                                        Tyanne Barnard

Branch 001                     Member                                                        Gertrud Handcock

Branch 001                     Member                                                        Greg Handcock

Branch 003                     Member                                                        Liz Hine

Branch 003                     Member                                                        Val Corbeil

Branch 004                     Member                                                        Gaetan Bienvenue

                                     

Item                                                      Description

 

1.       The Zone Commander opened the meeting at 1400 hours by welcoming all in attendance. Observing a number of new members in attendance the Zone Commander introduced the head table and asked the others to stand and introduce themselves by name, position and Branch. Prior to start of the meeting the Zone Commander presented each Branch representative with an information Folder. The contents of this folder will be listed as Annex “A”.

 

Continuing his opening remarks he gave an update on the condition of Thomas Andrews stating the most notable observation one can make is that Andy remains in incredibly good spirit considering his situation but unfortunately he has made little progress towards recovery.

 

George MacMullen since 01 March has been moved to a full care facility in Lahr. George has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and his health is deterioration. He is unable to care for himself and is confined to a wheelchair and bed. The Zone Commander is pleased with the way he is being cared for and will continue to monitor the situation in the new facility. His wife will remain in the care facility in Malberg.

 

2.       The minutes of the last Zone meeting was reviewed. An observation was raised by Branch 003 regarding Iten 7 flags when attending the 450 ceremony. The Zone Commander clarified the procedure described would apply to the 450 ceremony only. There being no further observations, errors or omissions it was moved by Comrade Bill Fairley and seconded by Comrade Cam Audet that the minutes be adopted as presented.

 

Motion Carried

 

3.       A copy of the financial statement was included in the folder and reviewed. They were adopted as presented. Moved by Comrade Kevin Grainger and seconded by Comrade Jocelyn Gelinas.

 

Motion Carried

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

THURSDAY 10 MARCH DETACHMENT COMMANDERS MEETING CONCERNING THE CEREMONY IN WAGENINGEN

 

4.       The President of Branch 005 represented the Zone Commander at this meeting. From all reports the Ceremony will follow the same procedures as in past years. Unfortunately it had been announced that this will be the last year for the ceremony in its present form. The details of the meeting and the event will be discussed in detail later in the agenda.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

02-09 MAY LIBERATION CEREMONIES AND ACTIVITIES IN THE NETHERLANDS.

 

5.       02 May members will travel to the Netherlands where accommodations have been arranged at the Dutch Military Kaserne in Ede.

 

03 May Ceremony of Remembrance at the Canadian War Cemetery in Groesbeek. The Ceremony is a Government of Canada Event and will commence at 1400 hours. Although Zone has received no official invitation to provide a Legion Colour Party in all due respects the Zone Commander intends to offer one on site if he can make contact with the organizer. We will depart Ede to arrive in Groesbeek at approximately 1100 hours. If we attend as spectators we must be seated not later than 1330 hours to participate in the event. A reception hosted by the Minister of Veterans Affairs and the Mayor of Groesbeek will begin immediately following the ceremony of remembrance. A wreath will be laid on behalf of Zone Europe.

 

04 May Ceremony of Remembrance at the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten. We will depart Ede to arrive in Holten not later than 0900 hours. A shuttle service will operate from a central location to the cemetery. Tickets are required for seating. The tickets will be colour coded so that veterans will receive priority seating, along with one companion. Directions to the shuttle pickup area are printed on the back of the tickets which the Zone Commander will distribute. Branch 005 will provide the Legion Colour Party and a wreath will be laid on behalf of Zone Europe. Following the reception in Holten if there is one our members will visit the PPCLI Re-enactment group in Whilp if they have their camp set up.

 

2000 hours members will participate in the Silent March in the city of Apeldoorn. A wreath will be laid on behalf of Zone Europe.

 

05 May in Wageningen, the ceremony will follow the same routine as in the past. All members will meet at the reception area not later than 1130 hours. The Colour Party will be called out anytime after 1200 hrs and will proceed to the church. Other members will move to the parade forming up area at the appropriate time where we will be joined by the church Colour Party following the church service and form up for the parade through the city. Zone will have three full colour parties for sure and if Branch 003 joins us we will have four. The more people we can get to parade with us the better. If we get a good number of veterans (from Canada) we can form up one colour party, veterans, the second colour party, veterans third colour party, veterans and have a real parade but these are the areas the Zone Commander will co-ordinate on site.

 

The car parking passes etc will be distributed by the Zone Commander in Ede. For the church service because of the number of participants this year they may limit the number of flags but we only need six places one colour party of flags. If we get more and other people want to go fine but six is all we need. The Zone Commander will ask for volunteers for the church service.

 

At approximately 1500 hours the Parade will commence in Wageningen. His Royal Highness the Prince of Orange will take the salute at this parade, in which some 4,500 former resistance fighters and veterans will take part.

 

06 May in Apeldoorn we will attend the presentation of awards for the literary contest that was sponsored by Branch 005 in the Netherlands. Events of the day are as follows:

 

1330 hrs we will gather at the auditorium of the Sprengeloo Collage in Apeldoorn

 

1355 hrs HRH Prince Floris will arrive and be introduced by the Deputy Mayor of Apeldoorn Mr. Jan van Beckhoven and the President of Branch 005, Ben Zonnenberg.

 

1400 hrs Branch 005 will march on the Colours accompanied by the Pipes & Drums of the 48th Highland Regiment.

 

·         Opening address by the President of Branch 005, Ben Zonnenberg

·         Pipes & Drums of the 48th Highland Regiment

·         Remarks by the Canadian Military Attaché, Commander Karel Heemskerk

·         Canadian Men's Choir

·         Remarks by Deputy Mayor of Apeldoorn Mr. Jan van Beckhoven

·         Awards presentation by HRH Prince Floris, Orange of Nassau

·         Students of the Sprengenloo College will read poems

·         Closing remarks by European Zone Commander, Reg Bonnar

·         National Anthems of Canada and the Netherlands

·         March off the Colours

 

Refreshments will be available in the auditorium and the opportunity for us to meet with the visiting veterans.

 

To conclude the day we will attend a concert at 1930 hours in the big church of Apeldoorn.

 

07 May we will have a free day. However there are several liberation activities going on if anyone wishes to attend. At the town of Nijverdal, activities starting in the morning with a Parade, Tattoo etc. Nijverdal is not far from the town of Holten.

 

In the evening there is Tattoo in the town of Voorthuizen, Allied Mass bands will perform. Even Canadian and allied Veterans have to pay admission fees 26 Euro's. Voorthuizen is near the city of Amersfoort, not far from Ede.

 

08 May in Apeldoorn will follow basically the same procedure as for the parade in Wageningen. 1100 hrs Veterans who March, Colour Party Members have to assemble at the so-called America Hall, in Apeldoorn, (de Maten area) also called Canadian Club. With shuttle busses members will be transport to Palace Het Loo, the Parade will be formed there as such. 1400 hrs will be the start of the Parade. Veterans will be able to board the Keep ‘em Rolling vehicles at this point for the parade through the city.

 

08 MAY ANNUAL CEREMONY AT HOTTEN AND BURE IN BELGIUM

 

6.       Branch 003 will attend and provide a Colour Party for this annual event as they have done for many years.

 

FRIDAY 01 JULY BEAUMONT-HAMEL ANNUAL NEWFOUNDLAND MEMORIAL SERVICE

 

7.       Members to depart their area on Thursday 30 June for Arras in France where accommodations will be arranged. The Zone Commander has been in contact with the Director of Beaumont-Hamel Ms. Arlene King and the Ceremony will take place at 1530 hours on 01 July. Details to be announced.

 

CEREMONY OF REMEMBRANCE WERL, GERMANY

 

8.       Although we do many ceremonies all over Europe each year the Zone Commander felt we have neglected two cemeteries that have a large concentration of Canadians buried in them in our own back yard. Werl with 448 burials (124 Military and 324 family members) the other being Zweibrücken with 146 burials.

 

The Zone Commander said he was delighted when Branch 004 requested we do a ceremony this year marking 35 years since the Canadian Brigade left the area. Comrade Gaetan Bienvenue a member of Branch 004 has volunteered to OPI the event and has been in contact with city officials in Werl who enthusiastically endorse the ceremony.

 

The date for the ceremony is set for Sunday 14 August at 1100 hours. Branches are requested to forward names of members wishing to attend this ceremony by 17 June. On 18 June Comrade Bienvenue will visit Werl and make accommodation arrangements. Branch 004 will provide the Colour Party for this event other Branches participating are requested to bring their Branch Standard. More details to follow and will be finalized at the next Zone Meeting.

 

REPORT BY BRANCHES.

 

9.       Branch 001 - Comrade Matthew Guyea reported that the SRI LANKA CHARITY CONCERT for Branch 001 worked out well although at the end there was not as much left to donate as had been anticipated. This years Cribbage, Bingo and the first Dart Tournament were very well accepted and will remain/become continuous activities in Branch 001.  There are T-Shirts and Ball Caps with Branch 001 emblem for sale in our Kit Shop. Following the Zone meeting everyone is invited to celebrate with the 2nd Vice President Kevin Grainger on his Birthday today.

 

10.   Branch 002 - Comrade Bill Fairley reported that due to lack of communications among the executive members mainly and members there are basically no activities to report from Branch 002 at this time.

 

11.   Branch 003 - Comrade Valerie Laucke reported that although it was not mentioned at the last Zone meeting on 08 January Branch 003 participated with a Colour Party in a ceremony at LAROCHE, Belgium and was well received. At this years 60th anniversary of the 6th British Airborne Division in Hotton many British Veterans were present. After the next Zone meeting on 23 July a Victory Party will take place in the evening. Members wanting to participate are welcome to stay overnight.

 

12.   Branch 004 - Comrade Rorie Tryhorn reported that they are currently running monthly General meetings. He introduced the new Branch Secretary Frank Becker. The membership initiation has been translated into German for better understanding of our German members. The executive is in progress of finalizing the Branch house rules for their members. Regarding activities the Bingo is also going well with 625, - Euros currently in the Jackpot. A Canadian Style Brunch will be held tomorrow 24 April commencing at 1000 hours. A Fathers day BBQ will be held on 05 May and a Horseshoe Pit is being constructed at the Branch. Flyers will be sent to all the European Branches on these events and everyone wanting to participate will be more than welcome.

 

13.   Branch 005 - Comrade Ben Zonnenberg reported that Branch 005 is showing slow but steady growth and anxious about the upcoming May liberation ceremonies and activities in the Netherlands. Some membership matters with Dominion Command have been reported and are being investigated in order to recuperate nine missing active members in the membership files. Otherwise everything is going well.

 

OPEN DISCUSSION

 

14.  The Zone Commander opened the discussion by advising all those present that he has recently put up a webpage for Zone at http://www.rcl-europe.org/ although it is not finished yet I hope it will allow us to have better communications. I will keep updating information in particular upcoming events, in our Events calendar etc.

 

15.  The Zone Secretary also informed the Branches of the internal eLegion mail system which all Branches globally can use to email each other.

 

16.  It was remarked by several Branches that regarding Kit Shop orders it was best to order via Fax or Telephone as there is no response to email orders. It was also remarked that the minutes of individual Branch Executive meetings can be sent to the Zone Commander for information in order to keep him up to date.

 

17.  The Zone Commander reviewed information regarding The Canadian Red Ensign.

 

18.  The Zone Commander reviewed with the Branches the list of membership non-renewals recently received from Dominion Command and suggested that the Branch contact those members personally to find out what the problem is or in case the person just forgot.

 

19.  The Zone Commander has been in contact with a local provider of lapel pins and asked the Branches if they were interested in having our Zone Pin made. The estimated cost would be less than 1 Euro per pin. The Branches agreed that Zone would purchase the pins (100 for each Branch) for resale to the Branches at cost. In this respect our thanks goes out to Comrade Bill Fairley who donated the cost of the new mould to actually make the pins.

 

MOTION TO ADJOURN

 

20.   There being no further business to discuss a motion was made by Comrade Bill Fairley and seconded by Comrade Kevin Grainger that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 1615 hours.

 

Motion Carried

 

 

 

The next a Zone Meeting will be held at 1400 hours Saturday 23 Jul in the clubhouse of Branch 003 in Geilenkirchen.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Annex “A”

 

Folder Contents 23 April 2005

 

1.      Meeting Agenda  

 

2.      Minutes of the last Zone Meeting held at Branch 004 in Kippenheim on 29 Jan.

 

3.      Financial Statement from 28 Jan to 22 Apr 2005

 

4.      Dominion Command Membership Summary of the European Branches Non-Renewals by name.

 

5.      Royal Canadian Legion Memberships picture.

 

6.      Royal Canadian Legion Zone Europe Branches contribution to the Zone Ceremonial Fund.

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