Stony Plain Legion #256

 Winner of free Membership for Nov Don Murdoch

The Membership Committee is excited to announce the launch of the Veteran Family Welcome Program to welcome family of Veterans to the Legion! The Dominion Executive Council approved the new 1-year free membership program for eligible family members in recognition of the commitment and support immediate family members provide to our Veterans on a daily basis.
This free first year of membership is available to spouses and children (18+ years of age) of serving, retired or passed CAF or RCMP Veterans who have not yet joined the Legion.
The membership includes a subscription to Legion Magazine and full access to our Member Benefit PNew! Veteran Family Welcome Program
The free first year of Legion membership program has expanded eligibility to include family of Veteransartners and MemberPerks® program, offering savings at thousands of restaurants and retailers across Canada.

Eligibility for Veteran Family Welcome Program
Applicant must be new to the Legion
Applicant must be 18 years of age or older, and a spouse or child of a serving, retired or passed CAF or RCMP Veteran

Membership Administration
All new Veteran Family Welcome Program members will initially be registered in Dominion Branch 16-016 to process the free 1-year membership
Once registered, a member can transfer at any time to a local Branch (local Branch to initiate the transfer)
New members will receive a welcome email when their application is processed through Member Services.
The membership card will be sent from Dominion Command to the member’s address on file. Should the member transfer to a local Branch, the local Branch will receive their membership card.

How to apply to the Veteran Family Welcome Program and the Veteran Welcome Program
Eligible applicants can fill out an application form online:
https://www.legion.ca/welcome
https://legion.ca/fr/bienvenue

Printed Application Forms are available at the Bran

Hi everyone, we are getting close to the end of the membership year, please remember that if you have not paid your 2023 dues by the end of January you will NOT be a member in good standing.
There are a number of members who have paid at the Branch or on-line and have not picked up their 2023 stickers yet so please drop into the Branch and pick them up.
There are also a number of new members who need to be welcomed to the Branch so please check your emails as the Membership Chair will be contacting you before the General Meeting on Tuesday January 17th (General Meetings happen the 3rd Tuesday of the month).
During Covid renewal stickers were mailed out, this is a very expensive option for a Branch that has close to 600 members so if you want our dues to remain low, it is imperative that you find the time to come to the Branch to pick up your 2023 renewal sticker.
You can contact the Branch at 780-963-9232, email spl256@telus.net if you have any questions.
Happy New Years to all and hope you have a great year.

Gord Morrison MMM,MSM,CD 

Branch Service Officer / 1st Vice

RCL Branch #256 

kargor58@outlook.com

Cell 5875943230

Shout out to all Ordinary members, just a quick post to introduce myself as the new Branch Service Officer, for those that don’t know me my name is Gord Morrison , I proudly served our great country for 38 years. And now look forward to serving you and all veterans in our area. 

The Legion does lots of good things but the thing it does best is assist Veterans who need a hand up or assistance in navigating the bureaucracy of Veterans Affairs . One of the biggest hurdles we all face is accepting the fact that we need assistance ( trust me , I am the biggest procrastinator ) , we all suffered injuries while serving and most likely ignored them or Soldiered On because that is what we did. So I plead with you to reach out, filling out a few forms is pretty painless, let the Legion do what it does best.

Your Branch hosts Veterans coffee once a month on the last Sunday from 1400 to 1600 hrs

This time of year is especially trying for lots of us and I would plead with you if you are aware of someone who is struggling, reach out to them and let them know they are not alone .

Gord Morrison MMM,MSM,CD 

Branch Service Officer / 1st Vice

RCL Branch #256 

kargor58@outlook.com

Cell 5875943230

The Last Sunday of the Month Starting @ 1400 hours has been set aside for a gathering of Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces & RCMP and all those serving on active duty to come together in Fellowship and to be introduced to the Legion. Coffee and Donuts will be Served. All Veterans Welcome

-  meet with a volunteer Legion Service Officer to help identify unmet health or support needs and review possible benefits through (VAC) as well as other supports available 

-  get assistance with completing the Legion Claims Form and receive a referral to Legion Command Service Officers for individual assistance

-  request benevolent financial through the Poppy Fund

- request visits to Veterans in Retirement and Long-Term Care Facilities

-  access Veteran support and care programs as offered through the Branch

If you have a claim, or planning on submitting a claim to “Veteran Affairs”, please read this:

1. Veterans      should ensure that their “Advocate” at VA, are doing their job in      representing the Veteran (the same as a civilian lawyer would);
2. Make sure you see and read any Statement of      Case or Statements presented on your behalf in writing (in most cases,      there is nothing in writing);
3. Make sure you have been briefed and given a      copy of all information that is passed on to the Pension System, prior to      the hearing date;
4. Always ask for a copy of your audio      transcript, so you can go over what your Advocate has said in your behalf      (they will most likely tell you to go through the Privacy Act);
5. Take note that most first claims are denied      (this a discouragement tactic);
6. It is very important, that you do not      relinquish or give all of your evidence over, after your first hearing      (you can’t use your evidence twice);
7. When you seek an appeal after your first      denial, you must show new evidence for the appeal (by refusing your first      claim, VA will most certainly suppress your original evidence);
8. Ask to see what research has been done by your      Advocate on your behalf (don’t be surprised if there is none, they do not      conduct themselves like a Lawyer would);
9. As has been seen in the past, most VA      Advocates, do not give copies of anything to you, until after the fact      (demand it);
10. If you don’t feel like you were represented in      a Professional Manner, go back to your Advocate and demand, any and all      paperwork, presented on your behalf;
11. If you seriously feel that you were not fairly      and professionally treated, it is recommended that you contact the      Minister of Veteran Affairs, or the current Veteran Ombudsman, and ask why

Edward Siteman CD2

Service Officer, RCL Branch 256