Author Archives: Michael K. Barbour

About Michael K. Barbour

Michael K. Barbour is the Director of Faculty Development and a Professor of Instructional Design for the College of Education and Health Sciences at Touro University California. He has been involved with K-12 online learning in a variety of countries for well over a decade as a researcher, teacher, course designer and administrator. Michael's research focuses on the effective design, delivery and support of K-12 online learning, particularly for students located in rural jurisdictions.

Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence – LC3 Justin Mostasisa

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This past Saturday, Branch 25 awarded their annual Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence. This is what the leadership of U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps – Arkansas Division submitted.

LC3 Justin Mostasisa has consistently supported all Royal Canadian Legion events over the last two years. He has been fully engaged with in-person events, online presentations, and ceremonies since he joined the USNSCC. In addition to his participation supporting the Legion, he was recently awarded the Compass Rose for Model United Nations Training as well as the Compass Rose for completion of Field Operations training. LC3 Mostasisa has brought tremendous enthusiasm to the unit, showed sustained hard work toward achieving his goals, and has been an exemplary Cadet in attendance, demeanor, and achievement. It is my most sincere recommendation that LC3 Justin Mostasisa be awarded the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence.

Normally the award would be made at the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps – Arkansas Division’s annual inspection. However, with the pandemic their 2020 and 2021 inspections were cancelled. This picnic was the first in person event for both the branch and the cadets since early March 2020.

[REMINDER] Request for Participation – “I Joined” Membership Campaign

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In 2020, as a way to get membership engaged all across the country, Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion engaged in an “I Joined” campaign. In preparation for a membership drive that we are going to undertake in the Fall, US Branch 25 – representing the San Francisco Bay Area – is replicating this campaign.

Our members are the lifeblood of the Royal Canadian Legion. Without your support, we could not do all we do to honour, support, and remember Canada’s veteran and their families. We invite you to share why you joined the Legion. For some it may be to give back to those who served, to honour family members, or to support our branch and communities. So tell us your Legion story! Why did you join the Legion? What do you like about being a member? What is your favourite Legion memory? Please visit https://tinyurl.com/branch25-ijoined/ to contribute your own story, and be sure to upload a photo of yourself or our branch to accompany your story – or even a video.

If you visit https://www.legion.ca/news/articles/2019/11/28/in-their-own-words-why-our-members-joined-the-royal-canadian-legion you can see the stories of nine of our comrades from the Dominion Command campaign. Some of the videos that were produced included:

https://youtu.be/9ul9LqitwyY (16 seconds)
https://youtu.be/-iUUA5JfW1M (30 seconds)

Here are some examples that have already been submitted from our own Branch:

JD Hartnagle, Associate Member since 2019 – https://royalcanadianlegionus25.com/i-joined-jd-hartnagle/
Michael Barbour, Associate Member since 1998 – https://royalcanadianlegionus25.com/i-joined-michael-barbour/

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Take a sneak peak at our NEW veteran-made products! 🔨📏

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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

£99.99

SHOP NOW

Large Tommy Planter

£149.99

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.

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

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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 90^th 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.