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Col. Ward Irwin, guest speaker at the Legion's Olid Bills Night, gave a rousing and thought provoking address to a crowd of about 160 at the Port Perry Legion Hall Saturday. Veterans of two World ars honoured at Legion banquet Some 22 years ago the Legion's of Port Perry and . Uxbridge got together to forma an Old Bills Night. A night to honour the veterans of the first world war and in particular the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Since 1966 Port Perry Legion has hosted the event. Last Saturday night Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 419, Port Perry . changed the theme slightly by renaming it the Old and Young Bilis Night. The reason is to incorporate members of W.W.11, who are 70 years of age or over, as the numbers of W.W.1 veterans are getting fewer each year. About 160 people, veterans, spouses, guests and members of the Legion gathered Satur- day night for the annual event. After the head table guests were piped-in, Mike Kory, of the Oshawa Legion, Branch 43 played the Last Post and Reveille. Mike has been performing this du- ty for the past eight years, since he was 10 years of age. APRIL SPECIAL Scratch Resistant Coating on Plastic Lens With Purchase of Your Glasses ... -- NO CHARGE -- *Most Repairs Done Here 3 *Lab on Premises (meaning faster seryice for you) 'OPEN GATURDAYS 10 am. - 2 pm. * "vy: r Weekday Hours - Mon. & Tues. 9:30-5.3 ~9"30:1:00; "hws, & Fri. 9:30-6:30 Sat. 10:00-2:00 "EYE EXAMINATIONS ARRANGED! SPECIALRASERmdg/iors & Students - 10% OFF { # WE ACCEPT: Blue Cross, Green Shield, Metro Life, Exelsior Life, Social Service, Vision Care. SPECIAL PRICING ARRANGEMENTS FOR UAW. MEMBERS. 28 WATER STREET, PORT PERRY LOB 1NO 985-9388 -~ ~~ vod Seated at the head table this year was Mrs. Connie Glass, who represented the widows of Old Bills, Mr. Gord Jeffrey, representing the Old Bills, Ed Mason, Ed Mulholland, chairman Old Bills Night, guest speaker Col. Ward Irwin, Bob Archer, president Branch 419, Neil Hunter, representing Scugog Council and Rev. C. Clarke. President Bob Archer welcomed all of the Old and Young Bills saying "tonight is your night, so enjoy yourself." Mr. Ed Mason, who was a soldier under the command of then Major Ward Irwin in England, reminised about the first few days they spent in England before introduc- ing the guest speaker. Col. Irwin addressed the crowd saying that although he was only one year old at the time of the attack on Vimy Ridge, it established Canada as a nation in its own right. 'Vimy Ridge was attacked for the first time by Canadians as one force attacking together and triumphing together." The Colonel said that for a nation of eight million people, Canada's effort in WW. I was remarkable. 'A total of 619,636 men and women served in the Canadian Forces, and of this number 66,655 gave their lives and another 172,850 were wounded." 'It was this Canadian war record that won for Canada a separate signature on the Peace Treaty," he said. Col. Irwin said that we Canadians can be proud of our contributions to both World Wars and he saluted the veterans for their efforts not only in the Wars, but also for their continuing part in developing Canada as a nation on its own. He reminded the gathering that because Canada has now been at peace for the longest period in history, the Legion won't be able to be a club of remem- brance, because none of the veterans will be left. But he insisted that the Legion does not have to die or deteriorate because it has been strong and continues to do great work for the less fortunate members of society. Changing his theme from the past to the pre- sent, the Colonel said that although we don't uci want another war, the best deterrant to war is to show ourselves to be in a position to defend ourselves against any aggression at any time.. '""War in one's own defe~~> is just, moral and reasonable - not to defend oneself is a betrayal of principle." What should we do? he asks. "First, we should fully live up to our commit- ment to NATO instead of the token force we have there - only 58 percent of designated levels. We must bring up our forces in Canada to effec- tively defend our ter- ritory. We have a paper strength of some 50 regiments. Use our militia for training and job ex- perience for young Cana- dians. Encourage those td 4 who leave school with ng jobs to join the militia To do all this, our defence spending must be increased." In closing, Col. Irwin encouraged the audience to have their friends and neighbours to push for adequate defence. "We sang our national an- them at the beginning of this evening. Ask yourself as I do myself every time I sing it. O'Canada we stand on guard for thee -- with what?' he concluded. Following Col. Irwin's address, Old Bill Gord Jeffrey thanked the members of Branch 419 for the wonderful even- ing on behalf of all the Old and Young Bills present. An evening of enter- tainment followed. Gord Jeffrey, representing the Old Bills, and Mrs. Connie Glass, representing the widows of Old Bills, were head table guests at the Old and Young Bills Night held last Saturday.