By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — A local tradition was revived last month as Royal Canadian Legion members, their family, friends and other guests gathered for a medal presentation and strawberry social in Davidson.

The event was an opportunity to mark several milestones, including the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and the 90th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion itself.

Anniversary medals were presented to four members: veterans Alfred Stulberg, Meryl Warren and Bob Booker, and to Wayne Morrison, former commanding officer of Davidson’s 553 Sherlock Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

An additional medal was presented to Stulberg on behalf of the government of France, in honour of his role in that country’s liberation by Allied forces in the summer of 1944.

About 60 people attended the social and presentation, held at the Davidson Seniors Centre on Friday, May 22.

Gordon McRae, president of the local Legion branch, said he was pleased with the turnout and response, given how the branch’s numbers have declined in recent years.

He thanked those in attendance for coming out and supporting the event, and said he hoped to ensure that Legion events like the Remembrance Day ceremony would continue on in Davidson.

Rev. Diane Eurig served as the emcee for the afternoon program, which included remarks by Coun. Kim Williams and Arm River-Watrous MLA Greg Brkich.

“I can only imagine this legion, our legion, was formed on blood, sweat and tears,” said Williams, who offered congratulations on behalf of Mayor Clayton Schneider and the rest of town council.

Brkich, who appeared on behalf of the provincial government, thanked Stulberg directly for his role, saying that he and other veterans “can never be thanked enough for the freedoms we have nowadays.”

Sylvia McConnell read selections from the Prairie Tapestry history book and other records, detailing the history of the local Legion branch, the Ladies Auxiliary and the members being honoured that day.

The local branch originated in April 1919 as part of the Great War Veterans Association. Over 200 residents of Davidson and district had enlisted in the military for the First World War; thirty-five of them did not return.

Though the branch was less active in the 1930s, it was reactivated at the end of the Second World War, in which 236 residents enlisted and 14 were killed.

McRae presented the four recipients with the Legion 90th anniversary medal, which features claret and white bands in honour of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

For the full story, please see the June 1 edition of The Davidson Leader.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Last Sunday was the perfect day for a ride, and the perfect day to remind drivers that they aren’t the only ones on the road.

On May 24, the Sacred Heart Parish Hall in Davidson played the improbable host to dozens of motorcycle enthusiasts, stopping through town in support of Riders Against Government Exploitation (RAGE).

RAGE, which has been active across the province since 2013, held its Awareness Ride on Sunday, encouraging bikers to head out on the highways, to meet in Davidson and to help promote their causes.

President Rhonda Cwynar said the group has held the annual Awareness Ride for the past couple of years, using Davidson as a meeting point, but this was the first time they had set up a gathering place inside the town.

“We’re all spread all over Saskatchewan, so it’s pretty hard to organize one big event,” said Cwynar.

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, an event designed to remind drivers to keep an eye out for bikers while on the road, and in doing so, to reduce the number of collisions between motorcycles and other vehicles.

Cwynar said RAGE was formed to protest what its members viewed as unfair insurance rates imposed by SGI, as well as to promote awareness of riders and prevent accidents on Saskatchewan’s roads.

“Our main focus is lobbying to make sure that our riding community stays safe and viable,” said Cwynar.

She said SGI has not done enough to promote and enforce safe driving habits among drivers of all vehicles; instead, they have raised insurance rates for riders to compensate for the increased costs of accidents and injuries on roads and highways.

“We’re pushing to have a solution instead of soaring rates,” she said. “Rates are the end result of a lot of other things . . . They’re never looking at the real problem.”

Cwynar acknowledged that part of the problem is living in a country with a cold climate, where riders are off the road for half the year.

She also said that distracted driving is a growing problem, despite provincial laws designed to deter it, and that bikers are often vulnerable when other drivers aren’t paying attention to the traffic around them.

Cwynar said there was a small but steady turnout to the parish hall, where refreshments were served, and RAGE memberships and merchandise were being sold.

Dave Sotkowy, a Regina resident who serves as RAGE’s treasurer, said the weather was “gorgeous,” but added, “I think a lot of them are just hitting the Shell station and having a bite to eat there.”

The Awareness Run was followed last week by an announcement from cabinet minister Don McMorris and SGI, which will introduce a third option for injury coverage for motorcycle owners for the 2016 riding season.

Riders can currently choose from the full “No Fault” package, with more generous benefit levels, and Tort coverage, which includes reduced benefit levels but also allows the rider to sue the party at fault in a collision for additional losses.

A third option will provide the same level of benefits as the Tort coverage package, but without the ability to sue, allowing SGI to provide the coverage at a lower cost.

RAGE organizers welcomed the announcement, according to a post on the group’s Facebook page, and said the organization had been working with SGI’s motorcycle review committee for several years.

Another riders’ group, BACA — Bikers Against Child Abuse — also stopped in Davidson over the weekend, staying at the campground during their annual Legacy Run.