Stan Nachtigahl, CD
As your new President in 2020, I thought I would introduce myself to everyone. My Name is Stan Nachtigahl and I live in Spring Creek with my lovely wife of 18 years and our youngest daughter Delanie. I served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 20 years as a bomb disposal tech in the Royal Canadian Engineers. I did five tours of duty overseas and was injured. In 2003, I was medically released from the forces and went thru the Veterans Affairs system. I now work for Parks Canada in Banff as a Plumber Gas fitter.
First off, I would like everyone to know that since 2015, the past and current members of the executive, have managed to turn around our financial situation. THANK YOU!! These funds will give us an opportunity to work on the Reliance report in regards to the repairs needed and yearly funding set aside for building maintenance. Building a solid business plan and budget for a long term goals is now becoming a reality.
My personal goals are to see more membership at our monthly general meetings, so we the executive can hear the voice of the membership. A dozen people in a general meeting, of over 600 members is not a fair representation of our membership.
Our Veterans list is starting to grow again with the small functions we have throughout the year (look at the white beer mugs) and it is our responsibility to ensure that, within the community of Canmore / Harvey Heights we get every Canadian / Commonwealth / NATO soldier registered at our Legion. There are benefits for all ex-soldiers they may not know, because they slipped through the cracks. Please “Pass the word” if you know of any Veterans.
Some people have said to me what do I get out of the Legion? I tell them for your $50, we have a hall that is used by our community, we help Veterans, we visit our sick members hospital visits, we have a colour party for funerals and have receptions at our legions, we ensure crosses are placed at each grave for Veterans and members, Different community based club use our Legion as a place to hold meetings, we go to schools and talk about Remembrance Day and personal experiences in the forces, we help our local Cadet Corps financially and they help us on November 11th just to name a few.
I find it funny that people will give money to charities to help third world countries, but those same people won’t join a Legion to help those of us that were sent to keep the peace in those countries. As a member of the Legion, it is your responsibility to promote our not for profit organization. Anyone can join and anyone can just come in for a meal and a drink. This is how we generate funds – Pass the word.
Transparency is a big thing for my wife Joanne and I, there should be no secrets about what we do or the direction we go. Our newsletter will establish this as we progress through 2020. Please feel free to email me stan.nachtigahl@canada.ca or the Legion with any concerns, question, queries you may have. Its your right as a member to say something.
Lest we forget – Stan