Category Archives: Legion

Gananoque Remembers the Fallen

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The grave that they dug him had flowers
Gathered from the hillsides in bright summer colours
And the brown earth bleached white at the edge of his gravestone
He’s gone…

            (The Grave – Don McLean)

The cenotaph Honour Guard was provided by the 21 Electonic Warfare Regiment/212th Squadron. photo by Lorraine Payette

(Gananoque, ON – November 11, 2025) A bleak and somber autumn sky hung over Gananoque on November 11 as area residents gathered at the cenotaph in Town Hall Park to participate in the annual Remembrance services. Despite a thin blanket of snow on the ground, people of all ages filtered in to pay their respects to all those area men who had passed in service to Canada since WWI, filling the grounds with reverent reflection. 

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Remembrance season blankets TLTI and environs with respect

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Lest We Forget photo by Lorraine Payette

(Lansdowne, ON) For some, Remembrance is a single service that they may or may not attend on a single day in November. They gather in parks and auditoriums, churches and other venues to spend an hour considering the great sacrifices of those who gave their lives that they might still live free in the land that they love.

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 – the day and time when the Armistice was signed, bringing an end to the fighting. While not the end of the war, it was the key that brought peace after years of unprecedented bloodshed. The anniversary of this signing is what is celebrated on Remembrance Day each year.

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Branch 92 Legion getting ready to celebrate Scotland’s Bard

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The haggis is royally addressed at every Robbie Burns dinner. The Branch 92 Legion in Gananoque will be celebrating Robbie Burns Day on January 19. Tickets can be purchased at the Legion. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network

(Gananoque, ON – January 7, 2025) The birthday of Robert Burns, national poet of Scotland and a pioneer of the Romantic movement, is coming fast and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 is ready to celebrate in style. Robbie (as he is fondly called by those who appreciate him best) loved his ladies with all his heart, soul and energy, and fathered 12 children by four different women before dying of a heart condition at the age of 37. Nine of these children were by his wife, Jean Armour, who gave birth to their son Maxwell on the day that Robert died. He is believed to have produced about 400 songs and poems over the course of his short life, many of which became very popular with the public, and an astounding 10,000 people came out to pay their respects at his funeral.

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Gananoque and area remembers the fallen

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Members of the Queen’s Bands led the parade from the Legion to the Remembrance Services held in Gananoque on November 11. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network

(Leeds/Grenville, ON – November 13, 2024) It was a cold and wet day as Gananoque and area celebrated Remembrance Day on November 11, but that has never stopped the crowds from coming out to pay homage to the fallen. Services were held in Gananoque, Lansdowne, Rockport, and many other surrounding communities.

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Legion Levée starts 2025 in style

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  • About 40 people came out to celebrate the New Year at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Anne Parker, First Vice President of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92, emceed at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • The colour party performed the dip during the Last Post at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke (Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands) spoke at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Mayor John Beddows (Town of Gananoque) spoke at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Branch 92 President Bob Howard spoke at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Kate Lasher, Ladies Auxiliary first vice president, presented a cheque in the amount of $7,000 to Branch 92 President Bob Howard at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • L-r, 2025 Legionnaire of the Year is Alfred Read received a plaque in his honour from Branch 92 President Bob Howard at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • 2025 Legionnaire of the Year is Alfred Read thanked everyone for the honour at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Cliff Edwards spoke on behalf of the Gananoque Seniors Association as the Honoree of The Year at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • L-r, Cliff Edwards of the Gananoque Seniors Association accepted a plaque and cheque for $1,000 on their behalf from Branch 92 President Bob Howard at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • At the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée Branch 92 President Bob Howard presented a cheque in the amount of $500 to Bunny Randal to be presented to the Wheels of Care. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • At the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée Branch 92 President Bob Howard presented a cheque in the amount of $500 to Linda Beaupré on behalf of the Gananoque Food Bank. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network

(Gananoque, ON – January 2, 2025) In Gananoque, Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion brought in the new year with about 40 people in attendance for its annual Levée. A time-honoured tradition, the much-anticipated annual Levée in Gananoque (from the French “lever”, meaning “to raise”) has brought greetings and good wishes to residents, and honours to a few outstanding members of society since 1927.

This year’s dignitaries in attendance included Gananoque Mayor John Beddows, Leeds and Thousand Islands (TLTI) Mayor Karina Smith-Gatcke, Branch 92 president Bob Howard and his wife Shirley (branch secretary/treasurer), and Ladies Auxiliary First Vice President Kate Lasher. Unable to attend due to prior commitments were MP Michael Barrett and MPP Steve Clark, both of Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.

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Gananoque and area remembers the fallen

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  • Gananoque Mayor John Beddows and Legionnaire Anne Parker presented at the Remembrance Services held in Gananoque on November 11. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Local elementary school students came out to be part of the Remembrance Services held in Gananoque on November 11. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Wreathes were laid at the cenotaph as part of the Remembrance Services held in Gananoque on November 11. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Gananoque Poet Laureate Gretchen Huntley read out her special poem for the occaion at the Remembrance Services held in Gananoque on November 11. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Unidentified students from Gananoque Intermediate and Secondary School read out the names of the fallen at the Remembrance Services held in Gananoque on November 11. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Many members of the crowd left their poppies on the cenotaph at the Remembrance Services held in Gananoque on November 11. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Everyone was invited back to the Legion for chili and conversation. The 21EW – CFB Kingston enjoyed the break after the Remembrance Services held in Gananoque on November 11. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Students from Amelia’s Angels Day Care (aged about 3 ½ years each) brought the poppies they had made to the Remembrance Services held in Gananoque on November 11. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Members of the Queen’s Bands led the parade from the Legion to the Remembrance Services held in Gananoque on November 11. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 marched to the Remembrance Services held in Gananoque on November 11. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network

(ON – November 11, 2024) It was a cold and wet as Gananoque and area celebrated Remembrance Day on November 11, but that has never stopped the crowds from coming out to pay homage to the fallen. Services were held in Gananoque, Lansdowne, Rockport, and many other surrounding communities.

Wherever a ceremony was held, indoors or out, the message remained the same – We Will Remember Them. In Gananoque, the ceremony was emceed by Mayor John Beddows, with Legionnaire Anne Parker reading out the Act of Remembrance and Arch Deacon Wayne Varley presenting the prayers. Music was provided by the Queen’s Bands.

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Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 Ladies Auxiliary celebrates 80th anniversary

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  • Legion Ladies Auxiliary Zone Commander Laura Blair received a bouquet from emcee Sheri Godfrey at the 80th anniversary celebrations for the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Piper Tristan Perry of the Princess of Wales Own Regiment Foundation performed official duties at the 80th anniversary celebrations for the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • LA President Shirley Walker spoke at the 80th anniversary celebrations for the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Gananoque Mayor John Beddows received a bouquet from emcee Sheri Godfrey at the 80th anniversary celebrations for the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • LA members (l-r) Sheila Kenny, Donna Johnson, Bev Miller and Fay Johnston handed out awards at the 80th anniversary celebrations for the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Dorothy Jocko (left) received her 30-year pin from Comrade Bev Miller at the 80th anniversary celebrations for the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Lenore Brennan (left) received her 30-year pin from Comrade Bev Miller at the 80th anniversary celebrations for the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network

With all aplomb and proper flourish, the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 celebrated their 80th anniversary recently with a formal dinner at the branch in Gananoque. From members of the LA to dignitaries, 80 guests enjoyed a dinner prepared by the branch and served by members and volunteers.

“The Ladies’ Auxiliary is a non-profit organization operated separately from the Royal Canadian Legin, but together they thrive,” said Sheri Godfrey, emcee. “The Ladies’ Auxiliary originated during the First World War when women were asked to help wounded veterans returning home and to provide supports for their families. When the Royal Canadian Legion was established in 1926, these women were a welcomed addition at Legion branches as they continued the tradition of volunteering to support needy ex-service personnel, and to enrich the programs and activities of the branch.

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Royal Canadian Legion Hosting Launch of “Voices from the Past”

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Branch 92

Branch 92

by Lorraine Payette, written May 8, 2014

(Gananoque, ON) The Branch 92 Royal Canadian Legion in Gananoque will be hosting a launch of the book, Voices from the Past: Canadian Letters from the First World War, on Saturday May 10 at 2:00 pm.

“The book contains about 100 letters from local men and women and about 125 from other Canadians,” says historian Bill Beswetherick.

The 297 page volume gives a very personal look at the experiences of these people during the great War to End All Wars.

Printed in an 8 ½” x 11” format, it also contains 62 photographs which lend to the feel of being there during this important time.

Copies of the book may be purchased at the launch, or at the Legion itself for $27.50 each. It is highly recommended as a wonderful look at the original history of WWI, and would be an excellent choice for the serious history fan or for anyone wishing to know more about Canada’s involvement in this war.

Gananoque Gathers in Remembrance of All Who Served

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Faces of All Ages Came Out to Pay Tribute

By Lorraine Payette, written November 13, 2013

(GANANOQUE, ONTARIO) The rain fell like icy tears, splattering camera lenses and chilling participants as Gananoque gathered in Town Park on November 11 to celebrate Remembrance Day. – to read more>

14th Remembrance Road Ceremony Keeps Memories Fresh in Mallorytown

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by Lorraine Payette, written November 9, 2013

(MALLLORYTOWN, ONTARIO) On Friday, November 8, piper Larry Fitzpatrick silenced the assembled crowds with a single skirl from his pipes as he led the honour and colour guards in before the stand of dignitaries and school children at Mallorytown’s 14th annual Remembrance Road ceremonies for local service personnel who gave heir lives during World Wars I and II, and in the conflict in Afghanistan. – to read more>