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The Canadian Legion, an or- ganization of ex-service men and women is naturally enough set up on democratie lines. Each branch is an indepen- dent unit; although it agrees to abide by the general constitu- tion of the Canadian Legion when the branch is given its charter. The local branch de- -- cides on its own policies and plans its own projects. National and provincial headquarters provide any assistance which a branch might desire in matters of major importance, provid- ing the branch desires such. Members range from privates to generals, but each has equal chance to hold office within the Legion branch, provincial or national organization. The elect- ed officers receive no ee | but offer a lot of hard work. Those eligible for member-| ship in the Legion also reflect Ball Loop Kids Youth | The Oshawa Legion Minor} Baseball Association was organ- ized in 1949, when it was found | by the Legion that it was a} worthwhile civic and youth proj- ect even though the Oshawa | Minor Baseball Association- was | in financial difficulty. During the first year of the | organization, only four teams! were entered. These teams had | to use two sets of ay miancrse and had only one park in which! to play. Sebe Clau; an# Ted Jackson were head coaghes at that time. Jim Lovell, vas the first president In the peak year of the organ- ization, 11 teams were active! and the league's enrolment rose | to over 200. At first only Midget teams! were sponsored, but as baseball | became more popular, the Le- gion was soon sponsoring a Ban- tam, Juvenile, Junior league and finally last year, a Pee Wee Teague was operated. As a result of this growth of | popularity in baseball, there are} presently four baseball dia-| monds and a stadium in Osh- awa. The Legion teams have con- | sistently made good showings in | Ontario Baseball Play-offs and} have won three Ontario Cham- pionships -- two Midget, one! Juvenile -- and quite a number | of players have attracted the eye of professional scouts with Ted Stone, Butch Mahon and John Ryan all signing pro con- tracts. This year twe or three mem- bers of the Junior Legionnaires have been given professional try-outs. Over the past 12 years, the branch has spent an average of $2,500 per year on minor base- ball and it is hoped that the Le- gion will be able to continue this sponsorship. While the original association died out, there has been no lack of interest in baseball among a number of Oshawa péople. The principle sponsorship of the association is carried by the local branch, but the Legion is quite willing to acknowledge the part other organizations play in promoting this splendid youth program. Beaton's Dairy, UAWA Local 222, Jury and Lovell Drugs Ltd., Oshawa Dairy, Victor's Sports, Gower Realty Ltd., Oshawa Auto Trim and Canadian Tire Corporation ali have sponsored teams playing this year. Other organizations who have con- tributed to the organization in- clude Duplate Sports and Social Club, Lander Stark Oil Co., Rob- ert Dixon Co, Bolahood's Sportshaven, Armstrong Fu- neral Home, and John North- way and Sons Ltd. The Legion also expresses thanks to the members of the branches who donated money to a@ponsor the Junior Legionnaires team. The Legion's greatest need, however, is to acquire men to | Sides lin Her Navy, » back and manage the teams, . . 4 Ex-Servicemen, Women Form Legion's Membership ALEX HILL Secretary |its democratic principles. Be- those who have served Majesty's Forces, for- mer members of the Merchant Fisheries Patrol Ser- vices, Corps of Canadian Over- seas Fire Fighters, war corre- spondents, members of the Ca- nadian Red Cross and the St. | John Ambulance who served in the theatre of war may become |}members of the Legion. Immi- grants who served with the forces of an-_allied nation are also welcome as associate mem- bers and become full members on naturalization. There also exists a number of ex-servicemen, relatives of ex-servicemen| whom the branches find invalu- | | able in assisting in the local: ac- Poppy ory Vital Job The Legion Poppy Fund plays an important role in the work of the Canadian Legion. The poppy dates back to the First World War and since then pop- pies have been sold once a year during Armistice Week, Nov. 11. The funds received from the sale of poppies each year are a public fund which is administer. |}ed through the Legion under the direction of manager and the poppy com | mittee. The proceeds of this fund are used to aid veterans large and | the business | in need of assistance through | sickness and cases of extreme hardship and also to. supply comforts to hospitalized veter } ans, | ARTHUR COCKER Publicity tivities and fund raising. Cater- ing for banquets, holding teas and selling poppies are just a few of the activities the ladies perform. These are just a few of the activities which take place in Legion halls across Canada, no matter whether their Legion Hall is a million dollar struc- ture, such as. Vancouver mem- bers enjoy, or a more modest structure in one of our small towns, as the Canadian Legion perpetuates the memory of fal- len comrades of yesterday by serving the nation's communi- ties today. THE OSHAWA TIMES, Tuesday, October 24, 1961 7 BRANCH 419 Port Perry Canadian Legion wishes to salute Branch 43 their Oshawa Canadian Legion Comrades, and sincerely congratulate them on their 35 years of con- tinued support to their community. to OSHAWA BRANCH 43 on your 35th ANNIVERSARY Bramley Motor Sales Ltd. 1271 SIMCOE NORTH 723-4675 AUTOMATIC DELIVERIES e@ Legionnaires sary . PHONE 725-3581 @ CARE & COURTESY Welcome To Oshawa . Congratulations of The Royal Canadian Legion. 43 KING ST. WEST, OSHAWA TOP QUALITY OIL JZDIAUIS UNOH-PT LdWOUd ®@ .on .the .35th . Anniver- ON THE ll CONGRATULATIONS & BEST WISHES Legionnaires and Fellow Legionnaires 35th Anniversary of Branch 43 (Oshawa) WE WELCOME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND OUR SINCERE BEST WISHES AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS OCCASION © -- COMPLIMENTS OF -- United Automobile Workers of America @ LOCAL 222 6