CARLYLE - The Carlyle branch of the Royal Canadian Legion presented a mobility assisting chair to Lyle Basken of Carlyle on Feb. 25.
The chair that was given to Basken fully reclines but also rises straight up so Basken can stand up out of the chair with almost no effort. This chair has proven very valuable to him because of mobility issues he is suffering.
Basken has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for more than 55 years. He also served in various positions with the cadet organization in Carlyle from 1963 until he departed for a better job in Moosomin in 1979. In his time with the cadets, he served as civilian instructor, supply officer, training officer and finally a number of years as commanding officer.
Upon retirement in the early 1990s, Basken and his wife Carolle returned to Carlyle.
Based on Basken's service with the cadets, the Carlyle legion branch received approval to fund the purchase of his mobility-enhancing chair from the Poppy Fund. Local donations to the Poppy Fund are carefully managed by the Carlyle branch, provincial command and dominion command. The funds are only to be used to assist veterans and veterans’ immediate families.
Because of Basken's time in officer positions with the cadets, there was no problem getting approval for this expenditure.
The Carlyle legion branch was pleased to purchase this chair and present it to Basken.
