The year 2005 was designated as the Year of the Veteran and was very busy for the Association.  Our activities at Ste. Anne's Hospital ranged from the monthly visits, holding three bingo nights during the year and the popular Santa Claus visit and Pipes & Drums concert in December. We have taken on additional responsibilities at the hospital by stepping forward to sponsor an additional bingo night and also donating $1000.00 to fund a music rehabilitation program for the veterans. For our reunion in May we will not have the privilege of having our Ste. Anne's  Hospital veterans joining us due to changes in the government/employees labour contract.

Our membership turned out in large numbers for the Field of Honour service in June.  Next a busload of members enjoyed renewing friendships at the Upper Canada Branch annual BBQ.  It was great to see L/Col. Bruce Bolton join in on the pipes in the adhoc pipeband.  August had the membership out enjoying the Montreal Highland games and then looking sharp at the annual Dieppe Raid Remembrance parade in Longueuil.

The Association has decided to step forward and offer three-year financial commitments to the Cadet Corp. and the Pipes and Drums.  These donations of $1500 a year to each organization will help them pay for necessities that are not funded by the government.  Pipe Major Cameron Stevens thanked the Association for this year's donation and stated that the funds will go to purchase new belt buckles for the drummers.  The Cadet donation will pay for the costs involved with their weekend exercises (bus rental, purchase of food).

When the Association was asked to provide a member, I volunteered to be on the Cadet Corp Regimental Sponsor's Support Committee. This committe provides background assistance and guidance to the Cadet Corp Commanding Officer.

The fall started off busy with a dozen members going out to the Hudson Legion to help them dedicate their war memorial.On November 11th, over 50 members were in attendance at the cenotaph service. Two weeks later a busload of members braved the road conditions and spent the  afternoon visiting the new War Museum in Ottawa.
                                                           
November had one of our members, Bob Feldstein, spend two weeks in Holland with the local people.  During this visit Bob spoke to many different classes at several schools on  WW2 and his own personal experiences during the war.  The highlight of his visit was receiving a personal invitation, and attending a special gathering where he was introduced to members of the Dutch Royal Family.

The Association was one of the sponsors in December of the annual kids Christmas Party and Regimental Christmas dinner.

I want to take a moment to salute and pay my respects to the many nameless individuals, who we all know, that volunteer their time and labour to support our many activities.  Without your tireless support and efforts, the Veterans at Ste. Anne's Hospital, our sick members at the local hospitals, or the planned activities will not be as well received or as successful as they are.  My thanks again to all of you.
 
Bits n' Pieces 

In January Doug McAdam and John Stevens went to Toronto to represent the Montreal Association at the Toronto 78th Annual Red Hackle Dinner. Thanks should go out to the Toronto Assoc. for their hard work to prepare this enjoyable evening.  "Well done, Boys."

Close to a dozen members from the Association were in attendance at the WO & Sgts. Mess Annual Robbie Burns dinner here in Montreal.  Representing our WW2 veterans were Gordie Betts, Bob Duplessis, Cal Wilson and Ivor Watkins. At the end of January came the 144th Regimental Birthday with Bruce Ducat chosen to cut the birthday cake.