On March 4 Cheryl Gallant MP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke and Branch 406 President Heather Poliquin jointly announced a grant from the federal government to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 406 Barry’s Bay. Poliquin said, “Branch 406 is pleased to announce it has received some welcome financial assistance from the federal government to help cope with the pandemic challenges. We received $10,845.04 after requesting it through an application process involving Provincial Command. The funds will be used for ongoing operations and expenses of the Branch. Branch 406 is part of the community helping to serve veterans and other organizations, and this grant will allow us to continue that support.”
MP Gallant said, “I’m always pleased to be at a Legion and honouring everyone…. I believe the Legion is a conduit. Most of all it’s camaraderie and out of your camaraderie comes even more generosity. You are always giving back to the community, especially to those who need it most. I’m really here to applaud you and I’m just grateful that there was [funding available].” In discussing the important educational role played by veterans in the community, MP Gallant said, “On Sunday we just commemorated the 30 year anniversary of the end of the first Gulf War; that’s a long lost memory in some peoples’ minds. The education part is pretty important.”
She said Branch 406 was the first to give her notice of their successful grant application and asked who completed the application. When told it was Branch Treasurer Mike Poliquin, she replied, “It takes a special talent to fill out those…. You’re really on the ball.”
After the announcement the Poliquins discussed Branch 406’s successful application to the Veterans Organization Emergency Support Funding. They said the notice of the availability of funding came with a very short application deadline. Having met it, Branch 406 received the funds electronically on December 21, so because of the post-holiday lockdown the joint announcement had to wait until now. They expressed shock at learning that only about 50 percent of Legion Branches had applied and explained that Branch 406 is fortunate to have sufficient volunteers and officers to maintain the Branch records, so the Treasurer could fill out all the necessary forms. They said they were glad to hear of a second round for those Branches who didn’t apply before Christmas.