In The News - (Archive)

Free acupuncture in Perth offered to military-induced PTSD sufferers
by Laurie Weir
Perth Courier

For those suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder and have a military background, free acupuncture sessions are now available.

The Perth Royal Canadian Legion Branch 244 is opening its doors, free of charge, for local acupuncturist, Lynn Dowdall, to offer her services – again, free of charge.

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Up the banner: Legion program will see banners honouring veterans on downtown streets next year
by Desmond Devoy
Perth Courier

They fought under the flag, now Perth will raise banners to honour its veterans.

“It’s a no-brainer,” said Coun. David Bird, as he held an example of one of Carleton Place’s banners, honouring its veterans earlier this month, which was on display in the Perth council chambers. (British-born, he couldn’t help but notice the Maple Leaf and Union Jack atop the banner, commenting that they contained “two very excellent flags!”)

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Why is Sir Robert Borden hanging at the Perth legion?
by Desmond Devoy
Perth Courier

Why is Canada’s First World War prime minister, Sir Robert Borden hanging at the Perth Royal Canadian Legion?

Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston MPP Randy Hillier presented a portrait of Canada’s eighth prime minister, who served from 1911 to 1920, to the legion on Friday, Nov. 15, which has been hung near the First World War section inside the the Hall of Remembrance at the legion.

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The family face of PTSD: Widow speaks out about living with suffering spouse
by Desmond Devoy
Perth Courier

Her husband may have seen action in Afghanistan, but on the home front, Kim Kennedy may as well have been on the front lines herself.

Kennedy’s late husband, Jim Kennedy, had seen his share of the horrors of war when he was posted to places like Afghanistan and the Golan Heights in Syria. But when he came home, the war did not end for him — and as the wife of a veteran with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Kim’s battles were just beginning.

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‘This one dog saves lives’: Former military chaplain gives thanks for PTSD service dog
by Desmond Devoy
Perth Courier

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7,300 plus poppies cascade down front of Perth hospital for Remembrance Day
by Desmond Devoy
Perth Courier

Like a sombre waterfall, a cascade of 7,300-plus poppies has been erected along the side of the Perth hospital in the run-up to Remembrance Day.

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WITH VIDEO: Abide with me: Perth Legion dedicates bench to Eric Devlin, unveiled by his widow, as Legion Week highlight
by Desmond Devoy
Perth Courier

You can now sit and spend some time in the presence of the late Eric Devlin.

The Perth veteran, who died last year, aged 98, on Christmas Day, was honoured with a bench in his memory; it was unveiled on Wednesday, Sept. 18, as the Perth Royal Canadian Legion marked Legion Week.

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Perth Legion Week 2019 highlights a tribute to Eric Devlin among several activities
by Desmond Devoy
Perth Courier

This year’s Royal Canadian Legion Week will feature a special commemoration of the life of the late Perth veteran Eric Devlin.

Legion Week runs from Sept. 15 to 21, and starts with a back-to-school bang on Monday, Sept. 16, when legion members will be filling 54 bins full of recess equipment at the Perth Canadian Tire store on Highway 7, for distribution to six local elementary schools:

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Perth Legion renaissance as organization regains financial footing
Jul 04, 2019
by Desmond Devoy
Perth Courier

There’s change, and then there’s $31,583 worth of change.

And at the Perth Royal Canadian Legion these days, there’s both.

Jim Boldt, the newly-elected president of the legion, during an interview in the lounge on Tuesday, June 25, points out the figure in blue construction paper letters posted on the wall — the $31,583 that the legion was able to donate back to the community in the past year.

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Perth dart players raise $8,500 for Soldier On program
In 3 years, this tournament has raised $18,000
Perth Courier
May 16, 2019

From April 5 to 7, the third annual Soldier On dart tournament was held at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch No. 244 Perth-On-Tay in Perth.

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Ride for Disabled Vets makes stop at Perth Royal Canadian Legion
Perth Courier
May 14, 2019

This was the sixth year for the Ride for Disabled Vets, and in five years, it has raised $50,000.

This year, their donation will be made to the Canadian Veteran Service Dog Unit in Ottawa, a program that provides trained service dogs to first responders and military with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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Perth’s Hall of Remembrance unveils unique display
Hometown News
April 26, 2019

The Hall of Remembrance military museum at Perth’s Legion has unveiled a unique display for its season opening on Friday, May 3. The exhibit features soldier William Del Donegan, who was one of 2,100 Canadian men killed during the 10-day “Battle of Hill 70” in World War I.

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Veterans to get free parking in Smiths Falls
by Evelyn Harford
Smiths Falls Record News

Veterans will soon be able to park for free in Smiths Falls.

Council agreed at their committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, April 23, to exempt anyone with a valid veteran’s licence plate from parking fees at metered and other municipal parking sites in town — something the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 95 had asked for last year.

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Perth Inside Out: Army Signals Corps base was known to few Perthites
Hometown News
March 13, 2019

A Canadian Army facility in one of Perth’s neighbouring townships from 1962 until 1994 was known to few local residents, and even fewer have ever set eyes on it. There was little to see anyway, as most of it was underground.

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Catch the Ace winner in Perth with $13,100 prize
by Laurie Weir
Perth Courier
Jan 27, 2019

There’s been a winner of the illusive Catch the Ace in Perth.

Bill Don, an avid dart player at the Perth Royal Canadian Legion Branch 244 was the winner of $13,100 after the draw on Friday, Jan. 25.

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Shadow Box Presentation
Hall of Remembrance Museum
February 1st, 2019

Two Perth area men were honoured at our Hall of Remembrance Museum today, with the presentation of shadow boxes which have been crafted by MWO (Ret) Ken Miles, MMM, CD, of Pembroke.

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Hundreds gather in Perth during Remembrance Day service
by Laurie Weir
Perth Courier
November 11th, 2018

Hundreds gathered Sunday, Nov. 11 in Perth for the Remembrance Day Memorial Service, hosted by the Perth-Upon-Tay Legion Branch 244.

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Pilot William Kyle honoured at museum
October 25, 2018 by Terry O’Hearn

One of the most prominent exhibits at the Perth Legion Hall of Remembrance Museum commemorates Perth’s Flying Officer William Kyle and five other crewmen, who went missing during World War II over the jungle of what was then known as Burma, and is now Myanmar. (More)

Legion supports veteran attending Perth’s Project Trauma Support
Jul 31, 2018 by Desmond Devoy Perth Courier

Unfortunately, Perth’s Project Trauma Support program has proven to be very popular.

With 14 "cohorts" so far, and with a total of 150 first responders and military personnel having gone through the PTSD program at Tay River Reflections Medical spa, the program has also recently embarked on a partnership of sorts with the Perth Royal Canadian Legion Branch 244.
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Andrew Ronald Gamble
10 July 1899 - 03 November 1917

03 June 2018 - Elmwood Cemetery, Perth, Ontario

With the help of Perth Upon Tay, Branch 244 , Royal Canadian Legion replaced a 100 year old rotted cross erected by the Gamble family in memory of Andrew Gamble, killed at the 2nd Battle of Passchendaele.
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