On Saturday May 2, 23 veterans from World War II were brought from Ste. Anne’s Hospital to the Legion Hall in LaSalle for dancing and a lunch of corned beef, boiled potatoes and cabbage, just as they’ve been doing every year since 1975.
The tradition started in the 60’s after the women’s auxiliary from Royal Canadian Legion Branch 212 began visiting veterans they knew from LaSalle.
We started visiting and we noticed that some veterans didn’t have family or anyone to visit them,” said long-time member Trixie Sullivan. “We adopted two wards of veterans to visit. At that time, we used to bring them cigarettes and candy, but now we bring fruit or cookies.”
With the help of other Legion members, the group prepares small gifts, hand-made Christmas ornaments and a visit by Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the veterans.
Mary Snell and Winnie Kormack spoke about how important it was for them to make sure that the veterans who fought were treated well when they got home. Their efforts have always been personal, because they had family members who served.
I was 14 when the war started,” said Kormack. “I had two brothers in the Navy. My husband was in the Navy.”
My dad was in both wars and my brother was in the Navy,” said Snell. “My husband was in the Air Force. We used to call them the glamour boys.”
At first, visiting the veterans in Ste. Anne’s was shocking, said Sullivan. The wards the women adopted were in the diabetes wing, and several soldiers had lost limbs to the disease.
Over the years, visiting the veterans became much more than a duty and friendships were forged. As time went by, the women thought it might be helpful to bring the veterans back to visit their Branch. Those conversations led to the annual lunch, which has been going on since 1975.
Many of the women have since retired from the job, but most of them received awards for years of dedication, as did those who continue to serve. Vera Sherlock, who continues to arrange visits to Ste. Anne’s, received a plaque. Bernice Mungham and Nancy Chapman were presented with certificates for 40 years of service. Russell Belware, Paul Bienvenu, Carolyn Burke, Nancy Chapman, Avril Deul, Madeleine 
Esperance, Barbara Hastings, Bob Jennings, Ed Jones, Noreen Keenan, Jenny Kovak, Kathy McLeod and Carole Moore also received certificates for their volunteer efforts.
Barbara Hastings, who provided the names of volunteers, worried that she missed some important people.
I had some records, but the others were done by memory,” she said. “If I forgot someone important, I hope they’ll understand.”
Dominion Command Vice-president Thomas Irvine, Quebec Provincial Command President Norman Shelton, and Quebec Provincial Command Secretary Paulette Cook came to the lunch to thank the veterans and Legion volunteers for a job well done.
Members of the Montreal police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and LaSalle Cadet Branch 796 came too, as did local politicians. Federal MP Helene Leblanc distributed volunteer certificates and LaSalle borough mayor Manon Barbe helped cadets serve veterans their dinner.
Singers Maddy and Doug sang old-time favourites like “red roses for a blue lady.”
A bagpipe band led by pipe major Sacha Mathew with Debbie Johnstone, Brandon Bernstein, Jean-Pierre Bourget and Olivier Dalphond played several tunes, including “Bonnie Dundee,” “Steamboat,” the “Liberton Boys Polka” and “Amazing Grace.”
Highland dancer Wendy Johnstone performed to “Louden’s Bonnie Woods and Braes” and the “Orange and Blue.”
LaSalle Branch 212 member Russell Belware, known to the pipers as Spike, joined in as drummer.
Moe Chapman served as master of ceremonies and Barbara Hastings kept everything running smoothly.
The event lasted from 11 a.m. until after 3 p.m.b
