Monthly Archives: August 2021

Take a sneak peak at our NEW veteran-made products! đź”¨đź“Ź

An item from the organization formerly known as There But Not There.


View this email in your browser
Hello 

Barratt Homes receive award from RBLI

Last week, representatives of Barratt Developments’ Exeter Division received an award made by military veterans working in our social enterprise, Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company.

Barratt’s CEO David Thomas was there to accept a specially-engraved Tommy figure for their ongoing commitment to purchasing signs from BBMC.

Their Exeter division alone have purchased more than 1,000 units including signs, stickers, flags and flagpoles, providing vital employment opportunities to the factory’s ex-service personnel.

Pictured below is David Thomas, Chief Executive of Barratt Homes, receiving the award from RBLI’s Jess Wherry.

One such veteran is former Welsh Guard Steve Hammond who sustained life-changing injuries when serving on the Sir Galahad during the Falklands war. He was medically discharged and returned to Shropshire with his family. Unable to secure employment due to his injuries, he got in contact with RBLI who helped organise surgery which allowed him to work again, before providing him with a job in BBMC and a home on the charity’s Aylesford village.

Steve said: “We’re incredibly proud to be working with Barratt Developments making signs for their sites. It gives me and the whole team a real purpose.

“Barratt Developments have been incredibly supportive of our work over recent years, particularly during the pandemic, so we wanted to show our appreciation with this award.

“Our Tommy figure is a real symbol of military support so we see no more fitting gift to show our thanks.”

Leyton Orient F.C’s Tommy Club Kit Debut

Last weekend saw the first league appearance of the new season for Leyton Orient in their new Tommy Club sponsored kit!

The thrilling match versus Exeter saw a 3-0 win for the O’s, who were sporting their incredible new kit.

It is safe to say that the new shirt is a hit with the fans!

David says “What a comprehensive win today – I love this shirt! I was given it for my birthday. Haven’t been for 18 months, feels fantastic to be here. A new start!”
Peter says: “Absolutely fantastic – I haven’t seen brilliant football like that for 3 years. I love the shirt, I’m very happy wearing it!”
Leyton Orient fan Robert has had a season ticket for 20 years, and says “It’s wonderful to be back. Excellent 3:0 result! I am so proud to wear this shirt.”

Britain’s Bravest at BBC Gardener’s World Live Show

We have exciting news – Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company is exhibiting on stand E506 at Gardeners World Live, at the NEC, Birmingham next week.

It promises to be a fantastic event, packed with inspirational show gardens and a new stage hosted by the BBC Gardeners world Magazine Editors.

Best of all, our veterans are taking along their brand new range of handmade products to sell. You can be the one of the first to own them, before they’re available on our shop; take a sneak peak below!

The show’s running over 4 days, from Thursday 26th – Sunday 29th August. Will we see you there?

New and improved Tommy Planters now online! Check them out below:
Small Tommy Planter
Small Tommy Planter
ÂŁ99.99
SHOP NOW
Large Tommy Planter
Large Tommy Planter
ÂŁ149.99
SHOP NOW

Tommy in the Window

A window is undoubtedly the best place for our amazing Perspex Tommy figures. They look great with the natural light shining through, casting a beautiful shadow in remembrance of those who have given their lives in our Armed Forces.
Do you have yours by you window? We would love to see! Click the button below to send us a photo:
Show us your Tommy in the Window
Thank-you so much for your ongoing support for RBLI.
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Copyright © 2021 RBLI, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:

RBLI

Royal British Legion Industries Village
Hall Road

Aylesford, Kent ME20 7NL

United Kingdom

90th Anniversary of Branch 25 Family Picnic

After almost 18 months of virtual events, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 representing the San Francisco Bay Area is hosting a picnic to celebrate the 90th anniversary.  Chartered on 12 August 1931, the San Francisco Branch is the sole remaining branch of the 13 branches that once formed the Northern Zone of the Western United States Command of the Royal Canadian Legion.

The family picnic was held at the Marsh Hawk picnic area in the Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline Park.  We had a good representation from both Legionnaires and our U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps – Arkansas Division, as well as representations from the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco.  In addition to the chance to just enjoy each others’ company, we also presented the branch’s 90th anniversary challenge coin, our annual donation to our cadets, and the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence.

Some pictures from the event are included below.

 

Click on an image to increase the size.

Click on an image to increase the size.

Click on an image to increase the size.

Click on an image to increase the size.

Important Branch information

The monthly update sent to the branch.  We have removed items that would not be of interest to the general membership.


Updates from National Headquarters 

Legion Dispatch. Visit branch
services.
August 2021
Twitter. Facebook. Youtube. Instagram. Linkedin.
Poppy
Store.
  Share this email
Keep your Branch informed

Forward this email to your Branch Executives, Committee Members and other members to keep them up-to-date on important updates and information.
All Branch emails are also available on the Member Services Website
In this edition – August 2021
Take the five‑second survey
Is your Branch open for business? Many Branches are now starting to re-open their doors and resume Branch activities. Take this single-question, multiple choice survey to let us know if your Branch is currently open to members and the public.
If you responded previously, please take the survey again so we can see how Branches are doing as things start to open.
alt_text
Meet your new Senior Elected Officers
The Royal Canadian Legion’s 48th Dominion Convention (Virtual Edition) was a success, with 880 Delegates and 175 Observers attending! While this year’s format was different, our goal remained the same: to make the Legion the best it can be in order to serve Canada’s Veterans.
This year, Delegates representing close to 250,000 members met online to discuss the future of the Legion and elect the next Dominion President and Senior Elected Officers.
Congratulations go out to our new Senior Elected Officers, who will carry out the business of the organization until the next National Convention:
Dominion President – Bruce Julian
First Vice President – Owen Parkhouse
Vice President – Berkley Lawrence
Vice President – Sharon McKeown
Vice President – Brian Weaver
Treasurer – Mark Barham
Chairman – Bill Chafe
Immediate Past Dominion President – Tom Irvine
Key resolutions from the Convention
At the Dominion Convention, Delegates discussed a wide variety of resolutions to further the Legion’s mission and support the organization. Of note are these resolutions passed to support Veterans, Seniors and Communities:
ELIMINATION OF THE MARRIAGE OVER 60 CLAUSE
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that The Royal Canadian Legion recommend to Veterans Affairs Canada to implement the Veterans Survivors Fund immediately;
and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The Royal Canadian Legion recommend to the Federal Government to fulfil its promise to eliminate the Marriage after 60 clause
VAC CONTRACT BEDS FOR MODERN DAY VETERANS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that The Royal Canadian Legion, on behalf of all Canadian Forces Veterans, strongly advocate to extend the eligibility of “VAC Contract Beds” to include all Canadian Forces Veterans.
LTC FACILITIES
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That Veterans Affairs Canada and the Ministry of Health immediately survey the 14 local LHINs and produce a list of all Veterans waiting placement in LTC facilities;
and FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED That Legislation be enacted to re designate all vacant PABs as Preferred Admission Beds to allow immediate placement of all waiting Veterans in LTC facilities and that those facilities be in the areas close to the Veterans normal residence.
ESTABLISH INDEPENDENT OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE CAF AND DND
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that to effect meaningful change that the Dominion President of the Royal Canadian Legion call on the Government to establish a fully independent Office of the Inspector General of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence reporting to Parliament.
SUPPORT FOR CANADA’S INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, given the requirement for Canada-wide unity of this national imperative and recognizing the importance of improving cultural and heritage awareness, understanding injustices and commemorating loss, The Royal Canadian Legion and all its commands, branches and members extends its unreserved support, however possible and appropriate, and in collaboration with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities, to assist in this healing journey.
Read the news release  ‣
alt_text
Dominion Executive Council meeting
The Dominion Executive Council minutes from the August 12 and August 16 meetings are now available. Minutes from all meetings can be accessed on the Member Services Website under Branch and Command Resources / Dominion Executive Council.
View DEC minutes  ‣
alt_text
Celebrating the Dominion President Citation Awards
On August 7, the Dominion President Citation Awards were presented to five extraordinary Legion members whose outstanding work on behalf of Veterans and their families helps us build a better Legion. Meet the recipients and discover the difference their work has made.
Read more  ‣
alt_text
Funding for Remembrance initiatives and war memorials
Veterans Affairs Canada’s Commemorative Partnership Program provides funding for remembrance initiatives including community engagement programs and war memorials.
Legion Branch 219 in Kahnawake, Quebec used this funding to honour the legacy of Indigenous Veterans and celebrate local Mohawk Veterans by creating the First Nations Mobile Military Exhibit. The exhibit displays military artifacts that belonged to those who served, including an Iroquois war club from the 1812 era.
alt_text
Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund open for new applications
Funding is available through Veterans Affairs Canada’s Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund to conduct research or create projects that improve the lives of Veterans and their families. Veterans Affairs Canada is looking to support equity-seeking groups, including those that serve women and LGBTQ2+ Veterans, in this current call for applications. Projects should focus on the current concerns of Veterans, including homelessness, unemployment, retraining, and health challenges.
Check out the funding guidelines and apply. Applications will be accepted until 1 October 2021.
alt_text
Call for volunteers
The Conference of Defence Associations and the CDA Institute put out a call for volunteers to welcome and help integrate Afghans who served alongside the Canadian Armed Forces as interpreters, translators, drivers, and fixers during Canada’s mission in Afghanistan.
The CDA has also released a statement on rescuing and granting asylum to Afghan interpreters.
Volunteer today  ‣
Read the statement  ‣
Reminder: Important updates to Branch payment options
alt_text
+ 2022 Renewal Stickers coming in August
2022 Member renewal stickers will be delivered to Branches during the last week of August for all members that are renewed for 2021 by July 31, 2021.
+ Reminder: Digital Membership Card coming soon
Coming this fall, new and returning Legion members will have the choice of the traditional plastic card or an electronic membership card downloadable to a digital wallet. These digital cards will allow the Legion to save time and money producing, mailing and replacing plastic cards. Stay tuned for more details.
We are here to help!
Our team is here to help, Monday through Friday. Please note our hours for phone calls change on September 7 to 8:30–4:30 pm EST.
New promotional resources are available
We’re pleased to share our latest member acquisition Public Service Announcements and magazine ad. Branches are encouraged to share and use these tools to recruit and retain members.
Watch the PSAs on YouTube:
English 30: https://youtu.be/P8roptxgD8A
English 15: https://youtu.be/z8FE_Nj0ZTs
French 30: https://youtu.be/G2ob_bo59Nk
French 15: https://youtu.be/n4uYNI6t6ms
PSA video and radio files:
Original files for the PSA videos and the radio spots can be accessed from Google Drive here.
Printed article in September/October Legion Magazine:
alt_text
PR Tip of the Month
Casual dress
The Legion’s new casual dress – blue shirts offering a fresh, approachable look – can be a good option for PR officers or spokespeople during interviews or at public meetings or events. Consider whether a uniform is required and choose casual when it makes sense.
Have questions or need advice? Contact your Command Public Relations Officer or Nujma Bond, Dominion Command Communications at nbond@legion.ca
Your Legion calendar: 2021
Promote important dates and organize activities at your Branch with this list of upcoming days that raise awareness of an issue, commemorate a group or event, or celebrate an important topic.
DOWNLOAD THE CALENDAR  ‣
alt_text
MemberPerks®: Exclusive offers and preferred pricing through Venngo
MemberPerks® is more than a member benefit package. It’s also a tool Branches can use to promote membership. Plus, you can partner with local businesses in your community to offer exclusive discounts for your members.
Learn more  ‣
Partner promotions
The following is brought to you by our partners, highlighting special offers and other information.
Special offer from Legion Magazine
If you have any questions, please contact Member Services and we will be pleased to assist. 1-855-330-3344 or membership@legion.ca

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST

Working together to serve Canada’s Veterans.
Click here if you are having trouble viewing this message

Copyright © 2021 The Royal Canadian Legion. All rights reserved.

Administrative emails from Legion National Headquarters are sent to the email address on file for your local Legion Branch. If this is no longer the correct email address for your Branch, please forward this email to the new contact and request the Branch update their contact information.

Our contact information is:
The Royal Canadian Legion National Headquarters
Member Services Department
86 Aird Place
Ottawa, ON K2L 0A1
Canada

Toll free: 855‑330‑3344
E-mail: membership@legion.ca

Fighter Aircraft & Aerospace Technology Blog

An item from our colleagues at the RCAF Association.



Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Billie Flynn, CD, MBA, MSc – was a 20+ year veteran of the RCAF, former commanding officer 441 Squadron and senior test pilot with Lockheed Martin flying the most advanced fighter aircraft – the F-35 Lightning II.

Billie has joined the RCAF Association and on his behalf I am delighted to share with all our members the “blog” site Billie has created, as part of his effort to help inform Canadians about related and important aspects of their country’s air force.

You can find the site here at this link.

There are three stories published thus far: “Stealth Matters, Cell Phones and Fighter Planes, and, One Last Chance to Get it Right.”

This e-mail was sent from Royal Canadian Air Force Association (rcaf_list@airforce.ca)

Royal Canadian Air Force Association,405-222 Somerset St. West Ottawa ON K2P 2G3 CANADA, Phone Number:(613) 232-4281, Fax Number: (613) 232-2156, Email Address: director@airforce.ca, Website : http://rcafassociation.ca