Legion Faces Possible Closure

By: Johnathan Hutton

With Windsor Legion Branch 143  at risk of shutting its doors for good, bar managers are appealing for new members to keep it open.

Legion Branch 143 on Marentette Ave. is currently facing financial difficulty due to the steady decrease in its membership over the years.  The legion, which has been in operation for 87 years, currently has 406 members compared to 20 years ago when it was 1,500.

“Our financial situation is not good, what we really need is a lot more support for the legion,” said Jack Parker, president of the branch. “We need support not only from our members but from the community as well.”

According to Rita LaRocque, the legion’s current treasurer, they are is averaging an income of $10,000 a month, while the total cost of keeping things running  is about $12,000.  LaRocque said the last thing they want to do is raise  membership fees.

“We cut expenses wherever we can,” said LaRocque. “We recently had to cut hours for our branch and we have had to cut employee pays so we can keep our doors open.”

The legion offers a variety of activities for its members. A membership costs $50 a year and lets members take part in various activities at the legion, such as darts and pool.

Jeff Gravel, a member of Legion Branch 143 said the legion is more than just a bar. It is a place where veterans and their families can feel safe.

Gravel said the reason for the decline in memberships is due to a generational gap in veterans and people alike where the community has become more disconnected.

“We have lost our sense of community. These days people are too focused on chasing their jobs rather than looking out for their community,” said Gravel. “ Back after World War one and even two, people would know all their neighbours and wouldn’t be afraid to help them or to treat their kids like their own.”

LaRoque said the legion offers plenty of support for its members and it is always giving back to the community.

“There are many benefits of joining the legion,” said Denise LaRocque, the Legion’s bookkeeper. “We offer bursaries to students whose parents are members of the Legion. We can give up to $700 per application. To put that into perspective, if you are going through four years of school and you apply for a bursary ever year, that could lead to almost  $2,800.

Legion Branch 143 is open all week with various hours of operation. Anybody who is 19 or older can become a member and they do not have to be a veteran.

“We welcome volunteers,” said Parker. “We are a bar with a cause and that is to provide a safe environment for our veterans and community members alike.”