The Royal Canadian Legion Moose Jaw Branch No. 59 means the world to Keith Acott, who has been a member for the past 55 years.
Acott was one of over 90 members to receive their Years of Service Awards on Saturday.
“I didn’t think I’d live this long,” laughed Acott. “It is an honour, it is definitely an honour.”
Acott spent over 25 years serving in the Air Force, starting out in Quebec before moving to bases in Trenton and Borden in Ontario.
His service would then take him west to Saskatoon. He’d relocate to Cold Lake, Alta. and Comox, B.C. before returning to Saskatchewan to retire in Moose Jaw. During his time with the Air Force, Acott was lucky enough not a serve in any wars.
In his retirement, Acott found a home with the Royal Canadian Legion.
“It means a lot. It’s like my home, like my living room and dining room,” he said. “It has been for years and I’m very proud to be a member.”
During his time, Acott said he’s served on every position possible on the executive with the Legion from president down.
These days, Acott has slowed down and has stepped aside for the younger generations.
“My legs are bad, I have a bad hip and I’ve done my share. It’s time for the new people to step forward and start taking over some of these jobs,” he said.
As for the future of the Legion, he would like to see younger members as many are getting older and numbers are dwindling.
“We are all getting far too old to carry on the way we used to as much as we’d like to,” Acott said.
Along with the Years of Service awards, Marie Spencer received a certificate of merit for her service as the secretary-treasurer of the Branch Poppy Trust Fund.
The Legion also installed its new executive with president Sharon Erickson, past president Roy LaBuick, first vice-president Rene LeChance, second vice-president Sue Knox, Sergeant-at-Arms Steve Richardson, public relations officer Norma Richardson, finance officer Barry Young, poppy officer Bob Travale, service officer Christine Simpson and house officer Dave Dryburgh.
Years of Service Awards 2020
Life members
20 Years: Bernice Crosbie.
35 Years: W. Gudmudson.
40 Years: Chuck Macmillan.
45 Years: Alex Cameron.
55 Years: Keith Acott.
Ordinary Members
5 Years: Robert Miller, Craig Peterson, Rowland Schmidt, Andrew Weldon.
10 Years: James Cruikshanks.
15 Years: Dennis Biden, Susan Knox, Francis Moysey, Chris Simpson.
20 Years: William Betts.
25 Years: Adam Brade, Randy Crashley, Martin Grand, Lawrence Nicholson, Larry Poitras.
30 Years: Allen Davey, Charles Schulties.
35 Years: Colins Gerber, Ron Ponto.
40 Years: M.J. Gagnon.
45 Years: David Bellegarde, Earl Boan, E.L. Horsman, R.M. Johnson, G.D. Scott, Lawrence Summerfeld.
50 Years: Robert O’Reilly, Kenneth Pilworth.
65 Years: Kenneth Seager.
75 Years: Grant Stevens.
Associate Members
5 Years: Adelbert Anderson, Mell Cole, David Dolomount, Robert Glassford, James Keeping, Robert Lane, Scott Mcgregor, Gordon Miller, Murray Rider, Mary Singer.
10 Years: Brenda Brodie, Diane Bruck, Sharon Fraser, Gary Guy, James Pawsey.
15 Years: Jesse Gamble, Robert Keith, Karly Lanz, Lyndsay Morhart, Tracey Schmidt.
20 Years: Loris Bernt, James Black, Mark Darroch, Ruby Douglas, Barbara Fister, Gordon Ponto, Iris Watson, Diana Young.
25 Years: Kathy Crashley, Brent Johnson, Sharon Lanz, Christopher Macaulay, Gilmay Martin, Ernest Terry, Lad Valistin, Joyce Walter.
30 Years: Sandra Davey, Douglas Johnson, Patricia Watson.
35 Years: R.J. Becker, Nancy Bellegarde, Carole Schulties.
40 Years: Laura Catling, Robert Davis, D.J. Horton.
45 Years: D. Darroch, Noel Hoppenreys, John Myles.
Affiliate Voting Members
5 Years: Bonnie Craigen, Michael Dougherty, Nancy Dougherty, Mariene Eastwood, David Gilkes, Theresa Lichacz, Nadine Mckechnie, David Mowrey.
10 Years: Gord Ward.
15 Years: Lawrence Odowickuk.
20 Years: Lyle Silzer, Harry Startup.
