In 1995, the Royal Canadian Legion, US Branch #25 began its affiliation with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Arkansas Division. In his initial proposal to the branch, Comrade Rutledge wrote that the relationship between the two organizations was natural, as it was quite common for Legion branches in Canada to sponsor a local cadet corps. At the time, then Commanding Officer Lt. Lee Smith wrote that this affiliation would assist the cadets in participating to the fullest in the many training opportunities available to them.
As we approach the 25th anniversary of this affiliation, the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Arkansas Division is a vital source of human resources for the various services and activities of the Royal Canadian Legion, US Branch #25. Similarly, the Royal Canadian Legion, US Branch #25 continues provide an annual sponsorship to the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Arkansas Division, as well as present the Royal Canadian Legion’s Cadet Medal of Excellence each year to a deserving cadet.
To commemorate this anniversary, the Royal Canadian Legion, US Branch #25 is sponsorship a competition that is open to all members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Arkansas Division to design a challenge coin. The design of the coin should reflect this 25th anniversary, and represent both the Royal Canadian Legion, US Branch #25 and the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Arkansas Division.
All entries are to be submitted to royalcanadianlegionus25@gmail.com or mailed to:
The Royal Canadian Legion
Branch 25 San Francisco Bay Area
P.O. Box 2295
Los Gatos, CA 95031-2295
Entries will be judged on originality, expression of designated subject, drawing and illustration.
This past Saturday, US Branch #25 of the Royal Canada Legion hosted its annual Memorial Day service at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Colma, CA. Below are some pictures and a video from the event, as well as the program for the service.
San Francisco Bay Area Branch 25 The Royal Canadian Legion
Memorial Day Service
Greenlawn Memorial Park – Colma, California
Saturday, 25 May 2019 – 11:00 am
Under the direction of Past President Dennis Edmondson
Order of Service
Welcome and Invocation Dennis Edmondson, Past President
Post Colors on the Flag Poles
National Anthems Presented
“O Canada!”
“The Star-Spangled Banner”
“God Save the Queen”
The Parade Salutes and Color Guard Present Arms
“In Memoriam” Siefken Krieger
“The Battle’s O’er” Piper
A Two-Minute Silence is Observed
Acting Chaplain Margaret Krieger
The Act of Remembrance
“They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”
Response from all:“We will remember them.”
“Flowers of the Forest” Piper
Placing of the Wreath
“O God Our Help in Ages Past” Cadet Choir
Acting Chaplain Margaret Krieger
Close and Response
Today we remember and pay our respects to those comrades
whose death we mourn, but whose spirit still lives.
May we strive to promote unity and the spirit of comradeship,
never forgetting the solemn obligation we have assumed as members
of the Royal Canadian Legion and remembering them, may we ever pray, Lord God of hosts be with us yet. Lest we forget Response from all: “Lest we forget.”
“Amazing Grace” PiperEnd of Service
O Canada!
O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all of us command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada! We stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada! We stand on guard for thee. O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.
The Star-Spangled Banner
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, o’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave – O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
God Save the Queen
God save our gracious Queen Long live our noble Queen God save our Queen! Send her victorious, Happy and Glorious, Long to reign over us; God save the Queen!
* * *
Cadet Choir, Color Guard and Grounds Preparation courtesy of The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps Arkansas Division under the direction of LTJG Gabriel Mikulich, Commanding Officer and LTJG Vivian McBride, Executive Officer
Hal Wilkes, Piper
The flags are proud to decorate the graves Of heroes; catching every breeze that blows, They shout, significantly, truth that saves A world almost accustomed to it woes. They speak of boys with blood red as the rose, Who sacrificed young lives and happy dreams To learn a mystery nobody knows… To fly beyond familiar hills and streams.
The rose is proud to bloom upon the beds Of soldiers; every flower tries to press Toward sweet perfection. Lilies lift white heads In hallowed ground, and spill their loveliness Upon the sleeping heroes. We confess To obligations scarcely felt before. Shall we, the living, feel our sorrow less If we make peace our goal, and rule out war?
This past Saturday, the Cadets of Arkansas Division & Training Ship San Francisco held their 2018 Annual Inspection of the Pacific Central Region in Building 2 of the US Coast Guard on Yerba Buena Island. As one of the sponsors of this cadet corp, Vice President Michael Barbour was on hand for the event.
As a part of the festivities, Comrade Barbour awarded cadet Madison Gibson with the Royal Canadian Legion’s Cadet Medal of Excellence. He also presented their Commanding Officer, LTJG Gabriel Mikulich, a cheque for the Legion’s annual donation to the group.
Earlier today our U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) Arkansas Division participated in the Wreaths Across America event at the National Cemetery at the Presidio here in San Francisco. Here are some pictures we found on Facebook and Instagram of the event.
