Dear Editor,
As a veteran of World War II and a retired career soldier (1978) I think the Legion is bound to fade in to history.
I believe that that spark which ignited World War I returnees, and which flourished at the end of the Second World War was ignited very poorly at the end of the Korean conflict.
As we moved in to the era of NATO, various peacekeeping ventures, culminating in Afghanistan the spark never seemed to ignite.
Us old timers have to realize that our young soldiers have an entirely different outlook on their lives beyond military service with all the things that are tugging at them now for their attention.
Too many of them equate Legion halls with a place to hang out, drink a few ales etc., play some darts and so on, and if they do get in to trouble trying to sort out their problems they often find that the Legion service Officer does not have the clout they once had with officialdom.
READ MORE: POLL – Will the Royal Canadian Legion fade away?
And in conclusion I think the drift is inevitable. I know my own Legion hall here in Emo, Ont. has a hard time coping because we do not have a pool of retired young people to carry on.
Our Legion was once a very important part of this community and, for its size, still contributes mightily to public functions.
I hope I hit my high spots. Both my wife and I are Legion members. She served in the CWAC during World War II and has been a faithful companion for 70 odd years now, 68 this August as a married couple.
God Bless,
Gordon Woollard CD (Ret’d)
