i Intelligencer photo by Tom Gavey Honored member Alex MacDougal is Royal Canadian Legion Branch 99 "Legionnaire of the Year" for 1991. He was presented with the first- ever Tom Purdey Trophy by the late member's wife Dorothy (right) and daughter Colleen. Tom Purdey was the top legion member in 1979. MacDougal is the branch's third vice-president, secretary and treasurer among other positions. Legion says thanks to hard working Alex * ̂ ) § ^** w •** By Tom Gavey lS<X The Intelligencer Name a position within the Royal Canadian Legion and Alex Mac- Dougal has probably served in it. That kind of dedication to Belleville's Branch 99 earned MacDou- gal "Legionnaire of the Year" honors Friday night at the branch's 20th annual Honors and Awards Night. This year alone MacDougal has served the branch as third vice- president, secretary, treasurer and finance chairman. First vice-president Bob Smith said Friday the award goes to the member who has brought honor both to the branch and the Legion in general. This year the honor includes the Tom Purdey Trophy, named after the late member who won the award himself in 1978. "Tom Purdey would be smiling. This is something he always en- joyed. I'm deeply honored to receive an award named after so great a man," said MacDougal. His contributions to the local branch are too great to mention. Last year MacDougal was the first recipient of the branch's Volun- teer of the Year Award. This year that award went to Jean Burshaw of the Ladies Auxilia- ry. She was recognized for her work at the Legion canteen, with se- niors and on a myriad of other projects. The Fred "Soapy" Smith Award for outstanding contribution to the branch's color party was presented to Barbara Dougherty. Pins were presented to members with service ranging from 45 to 10 years. Past officers and executive medals and bars were presented by Zone Commander David Haynes. The local branch boasts more than 2,000 members and over the past year has donated more than $80,000 to charitable organiza- tions. Mayor George Zegouras presented branch president John Mcln- tyre with a plaque recognizing the branch's value to the community. The banquet also fell during Legion Week in Belleville.