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We Remember nessed this evolution from its earliest moments. In fact, he helped to set the tone. “My father, Rory, served in Europe and joined the British Empire Service League when he came home,” Dave remembers. “In the 60's, they opened up a very limited number of ‘social memberships,’ where new- comers had to be sponsored by a veteran. And in the 70's, we in Port Perry began allowing special associate membership to those who qualified as Veterans’ Sons & Daughters. I was one of the first of those.” In fact, Port Perry’s groundbreaking action would affect the organization throughout the entire country. “Coincidentally, two of those ‘Sons & Daughters’ members were a pair of brothers from Yellowknife. On their way back there from Port Perry, they showed their membership cards at other Legions, who didn’t know what to make of them because that status was exclusive to this branch. That generated inquiries to the national governing body, which in turn started discussion about the idea. Command recognized this idea had the potential to attract new members while retaining the organization’s founding ‘veteran’ connection. Soon, ‘Veterans’ Sons & Daughters’ membership was adopted across the coun- try.” Dave's involvement with the Legion might have begun on the outside of the Legion’s main membership body, but it certainly would not remain that way. “T was involved at the District level for several years in the late 80's, but these days I’m happy as the Presi- dent of this branch. I stay active in the club because Tenjoy working with people, especially the current executive.” While it may be a social club on the inside, the Le- gion also serves the community outside of the meeting hall. Without doubt, the group’s best known program is its annual poppy sale which happen in the weeks directly before Remembrance Day. “One of each member’s expected tasks within the club is to participate actively in the poppy campaign,” Dave says. “They share two-hour shifts with a cadet. We also canvass local businesses and distrib- ute to the schools.” Branch 419 distributes an astounding 50,000 poppies inside very tight geographic boundaries surrounding Port Perry. The use made of monies raised by the two and a half week campaign is strictly controlled and monitored by the Legion’s national arm. The local Please turn to page 48 yy OL moment ta NAVAN YAN 216 Queen Street Port Perry 905-985-2171 + Comfort +Family Myles G. O’Riordan Funeral Director/Owner www.waggfuneralhome.com & Implant Centre New Full & Partial Dentures Implant Supported Dentures Port Perry Denture Clinic A COMPLETE DENTURE SERVICE Mike Dunn DD 6 High St. (Unit 4) Port Peryz905-985-8028 Vets Denture Repairs (While you wait) welcome.| Tooth Whitening (Bleaching) accepted e@rogers.com SERVING PORT PERR ID AREA’ FOR OVER’ O FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2014 47