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Acton Legion president's Remembrance pilgrimage leaves him `a changed man' By TED BROWN Staff Writer The summer of 2011 was one of disbelief for Acton Legion president George de Rabbie-- on two counts. The first being the fact he was chosen to represent the Command on the Leadership Pilgrimage of Remembrance. And the second was how it would change him. "I really couldn't believe I was chosen to represent this Command (Ontario)," said de Rabbie. "I thought it was an honour alone to be nominated. "One of the criteria to be chosen was to have worked with youth, and I qualified there having worked with cadets," he said. "The other criteria was to share my experiences when I returned for the trip. And having a gift for the gab, I guess that helped them make their decision. "I was originally nominated by the Branch (197)l, then the Ontario Command," said de Rabbie. "It was quite an honour-- I thought there were several others who were much more deserving of the honour." The pilgrimage consisted of a 15-day tour, visiting various key battlefields, cemeteries and places of interest in Belgium, France and Holland, to give the participants a feel for the history on the various wars and battles, and allow them to experience the hardships up close, by seeing the ground on which those battles had been fought. In addition, they were to return from the trip and share their experiences as speakers at various venues, like special interest groups, or schools, to give more people a feeling of what it's like visiting those areas in Europe. From July 9 until July 23, de Rabbie visited key locations from both the First and Second Wars, like Juno Beach, Dieppe, Beaumont Hamel, Arras and Vimy Ridge-- all places that countless veterans and their families have visited over the decades. His group experienced the daily Service of Remembrance at the Menin Gate, in Ypres, Belgium, and saw places where Canadian soldiers had given their lives. George de Rabbie brought along the Branch 197 banner to have a photo taken at each See TRIP, pg. 8 stop along the way. Photo courtesy George de Rabbie 5 Remembrance Day, GEORGETOWN & ACTON · Tuesday, November 8, 2011 The Royal Canadian Legion Dear Citizen: November 1st to November 11th The time of year when the Royal Canadian Legion asks that you wear a poppy in remembrance of those who gave their lives and those who were grievously injured during the two World Wars, the Korean War and the Peacekeeping Operations. Your generosity in giving to the Poppy Campaign will enable the Legion to carry out the basic purpose and obligations of the Poppy Trust Fund which are: ·To give assistance to Canadian ex-service personnel and Canadian Merchant Navy personnel and their dependents, who are in need of such assistance. ·Ex-service personnel of Commonwealth and allied Countries who are resident in Canada. ·Purchasing medical equipment and appliances for community health facilities. ·Paying for medical research and training. ·Paying for bursaries for needy students. ·Ex-service personnel of Commonwealth or Allied countries and their dependents who are resident outside of Canada and are in need. GEORGETOWN POPPY FUND The Remembrance Day Service will be held on November 11th at the Cenotaph, Remembrance Park, Georgetown. Service commences at 10:45 a.m. with the silence at 11:00 a.m. Please plan to attend this event and support the Poppy Campaign; your involvement is very much appreciated. Marion Carney, Poppy Chairman Income from 2010/11 Campaign from all sources . . . . Expenses: Campaign . . . . . . . . . Welfare & Donations .................. Marion Carney Poppy Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $39,147.82 . . . $13,103.54 . . . $18,033.32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . $31,136.86 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 8,010.96 Ray Clarke President Br. 120 Lest we Forget