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A newspaper clipping about fundraising to raise funds for a new Bradford Public Library at 100 Holland Court. Included is a newspaper photograph of (L-R): George Jackson (Library Building Committee Member), Lynn McClellan (Legion President), Anne Wagg (Library Fundraising Committee Chair), Art Kneeshaw (Library Fundraising Committee Member)

The Bradford Legion Branch 521 celebrated its 25th anniversary last Saturday night. About 75 people were on hand at the Legion building for the festivities. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of 25 year pins to original members of the branch who are still involved. Ten men received the 25 year pins. The pins were presented by Zone Commander Ralph Newell and master of ceremonies, Bert MacGregor of Aurora. Reeve Orville Hughes of West Gwillimbury and Reeve Art Turner of Bradford congratulated the Orville Hand Branch on its anniversary. The branch is named after Mr. Hand, one of the active early members.

"Led by the combined Colour Parties of the Bradford, Sutton and Newmarket Legions, and the Bradford Pipes & Drums, Bradford residents turned out to participate in or to watch the Sesquicentennial Parade on August 19, celebrating the town's 150th Birthday." ...

"'What for?' That was the thought of uppermost in the minds of those who attended the Remembrance service at Bradford's Royal Canadian Legion Hall on Sunday afternoon. Chaplain Major E. Jankowski of Canadian Forces, Base Borden, posed the question in his address to serve as the theme in reflecting upon those Canadians who fought, were wounded, and gave their lives on the field of battle.He reminded those assembled in the Legion hall that what we enjoy in the way of freedoms and privileges as Canadians are the result of sacrifices suffered on our behalf. In remembering the 330,000 Canadian dead and wounded in the wars, he urged that we pray that such a sacrifice will never be asked of us again. He summed up his thoughts by quoting an inscription in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa:"They are too near to be great. But our children shall understand where and how our fate was changed and by whose hand." This thought was carried outside as wreaths were placed at the cenotaph by representatives of various groups. In photo above, the color part is shown lowering the colors as trumpeter Don Langford plays the Last Post."

"Kenneth Seim of Toronto, a former resident of Bradford, submitted this week's photograph. It shows the 35-piece Canadian Army Service Crops Brass Band performing in Bradford during "Three Gala Days" sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion, Sunday, July 31, 1962, Mr. Seim thinks the band came from Camp Borden. "This used to be quite an occasion. We all used to look forward to it," says Mr. Seim."

"Rev. H. Heustin read the memorial preayer while flanked by the Bradford Legion's Color Guard during Sunday's Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Legion Hall. Representatives of most town and township organizations were on hand to lay wreaths in memory of Canada's war dead. The address for the hour-long ceremony was delivered by Rev. D.J. Mills, a chaplain at Base Borden."

"While dignitaries gather at the war memorials in Normandy on Monday, June 6th a short but emotion-filled ceremony was held at the Cenotaph in Bradford. Between 50 and 60 veterans, their families, and members of the Royal Canadian Legion gathered for a Memorial Service led by Padre O. Hopkins, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of D-day. Among the dignitaries present was Mayor Pat Storey, who laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, in honor of the "boys who never came home." The Mayor was also on hand to confirm that the municipality, as part of the 50th Anniversary activities, will be following the recommendations of Chief of Police John Harrison, and renaming a number of streets after Bradford veterans. "It's something we've been trying to get on with for five years," commented Storey, noting that the proposed names have historical significance, as "the names of people that have contributed to our country and our community." Chief Harrison, who with Special Constable Les Bluestein, carried out the archival background research, told those gathered that following amalgamation, there were a number of duplicate street names in the town of Bradford West Gwillimbury. "Because of confusion in emergency situations, those street names have to be changed," the Police Chief said. Changing the names to honor veterans, living and dead, was an appropriate step, added. Councillors, in Committee of the Whole last night, voted to recommend the renaming of several streets after the veterans, "to honor those individuals while they are still living, and commemorate in part the 50th anniversary of D-Day." Barrie Street in West Gwillimbury will be known as Woolven Rd.; Centre Street in the marsh will be Noble St.; Church St. in Bond ...
(Page 2) ...Head - Booth St.; Simcoe Place i Bradford - Kneeshaw Place; Simcoe Road in Bond Head - Hopkins Rd.; Simcoe Street (the bend from Luxury to the canal) - Walker Avenue; Turner Rd in West Gwillimbury - Breeze Drive; and the Service Road on the north side of Highway 88 - McKinstry Road. For biographies of the veterans see pages 18 and 19."

"Bradford Army and Navy Veterans had a fowl dinner and get-together in their new club rooms on the evening of Remembrance Day, Friday, Nov. 11th, when veterans and a few invited guests to the number of nearly forty, sat down to the wonderful repast provided. Before partaking of the meal two minutes' silence were observed in memory of comrades who fell in the Great War. After dinner Rev. C.H. Forth, who, it was announced, had accepted the office of Honorary Chaplain of the Bradford branch of the Army and Navy Veterans, occupied the chair, when a programme of short speeches and music was carried out. Reeve Nolan, who was one of those present, during his remarks, complimented the local Veterans upon the most able manner in which they arranged and carried out their big three days' celebration the past summer, and assured them that if they attempted another such affair in the future they would receive even a greater measure of support from the public of Bradford.
The Veterans are to be complimented upon the transformation they have made in the appearance of the large room above the Fire Hall, which they are now using as their club room. We would suggest that anyone who has an easy chair which they have discarded or put away in the attic to be forgotten, might get in touch with the Veterans, who could make good use of it in their club room."