The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Behind every good man is a woman, or so the old saying goes. Perhaps it is time to also affirm that behind every good Legion branch, there is a group of women. Over the weekend the Ladies Auxiliary of Flin Flon's Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 73 marked a milestone anniversary. '80 years _ wow,' long-time member Evelyn Meyer told guests gathered at a celebratory banquet held Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Legion Hall. Meyer's amazement at the 80th anniversary was shared by Coun. Colleen McKee, who brought greetings from the City of Flin Flon. 'When you think about the work and the time and the dedication that these people have put in, the Legion ladies, it's absolutely incredible,' Coun. McKee said. Coun. McKee said Flin Flon's is the only Legion Ladies Auxiliary to reach 80 years _ 'a huge accomplishment.' Addressing 50-plus guests from the head table, Meyer took the well-dressed crowd on a trip down memory lane. The auxiliary accepted its charter on Feb. 28, 1933, though a number of women had formed an auxiliary to assist the Legion branch three years earlier. Though dedicated to supporting the Legion and veterans, the volunteer group served a dual purpose. 'We cooperate, work and support our branch,' said Meyer. 'We also help out our community.' To fundraise for the Legion, the auxiliary would cater suppers, hold raffles and host teas. To give back to the community, they could be found visiting hospital patients or awarding bursaries to deserving high school graduates. And that is but a small sampling of their volunteer work. 'The list goes on and on,' Meyer said with no word of exaggeration. But like many volunteer groups, the auxiliary is no longer able to shoulder the burden it once did. Meyer noted the auxiliary at one time had 233 members, more than four times the number of guests on hand for Saturday's banquet. Membership has dwindled, but so too has the number of veterans who are at the root of the ladies' mission. 'We have very few veterans left,' Meyer said. 'Many of our members have passed on and like many organizations, we are struggling to keep going.' This past year has been particularly difficult for the auxiliary, Meyer said, with challenges in filling all of the executive positions. 'Us older ones can't cut it anymore,' she said, addressing an audience comprised largely of older women. 'I commend those who have stepped forward and are trying. I know it's not easy.' While the future may be somewhat uncertain for the auxiliary, Saturday was no time to be maudlin. This was a night to rejoice. And after 80 years of putting their heart and soul into the Legion and into Flin Flon, there was an awful lot to celebrate.
