100 years of service: a legacy of supporting veterans, remembrance and communities

The Royal Canadian Legion works to foster remembrance, including with ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. supplied

A groundswell of support has gathered momentum leading up to July 17, the 100th anniversary of The Royal Canadian Legion. The organization has welcomed thousands of new members, released special anniversary keepsakes, with festivities taking place in Ottawa and in communities across the country.

“For an organization to be around for 100 years and not only be surviving but thriving, that’s quite an achievement,” says Berkley Lawrence, Dominion President.

Much has been accomplished through a century-long steadfast commitment to the Legion’s mission, he explains. “We serve veterans and their families. We’re stewards of remembrance, and we support communities all across our country.”

Engagement across generations

Established as places of veteran assistance and camaraderie, Legion branches are important hubs and gathering places in over 1,350 communities across Canada, where “our doors are open to everybody,” says Mr. Lawrence.

Although initiatives and events happen throughout the year, November 11 is an annual special occasion, when “local branches and provincial commands lead remembrance events across the country – and the Legion headquarters in Ottawa presents the National Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa,” he notes. “It is absolutely wonderful to see the number of people who come out every year.”

To ensure remembrance continues, youth engagement is a key focus for the Legion. Through National Youth Track and Field Championships and National Youth Remembrance Contests, held in conjunction with the Legion National Foundation, the organization supports Canada’s next generations while at the same time helping them understand the importance of remembrance.

Mr. Lawrence says, “The poster, literary and video contest is one of our most successful youth outreach events each year, where we receive over 100,000 applications from across the country.”

Seeding change

The Legion’s National Poppy Campaign – through which close to $20-million is donated and distributed yearly to help support veterans and families – sees Canadians wear poppies to honour veterans and reflect gratitude. It also provides a chance to educate. “I enjoy sitting at the poppy table and having chats with people about being a veteran,” says Mr. Lawrence, a 33-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The funds raised allow the Legion to carry out an array of initiatives, says Nujma Bond, the Legion’s national spokesperson. “For example, hundreds of service officers across the country regularly act as first points of contact for veterans who need assistance. It might mean connecting them with provincial or national officers for help applying for benefits or providing them with emergency funds. Our officers have literally helped change lives.”

Since its founding, the organization has advocated for veterans’ well-being, says Ms. Bond. “We use our strong voice to raise issues that affect their lives, suggest solutions and make sure serious challenges, like access to housing or operational stress injuries, are kept in focus and confronted.”

Research into veteran health matters is also a priority, she says. “We fund an annual $50,000 scholarship for a PhD student exploring a veteran health topic, because the more knowledge we gain, the better equipped we are to collectively prevent or reduce service-related injuries or assist with treatment and recovery.”

A bright future

The enthusiastic response to the Legion’s offer of free 2026 memberships bodes well for the organization’s next chapter, one that includes growth and modernization plans.

“Halfway through the year, we have already reached an incredible milestone of over 100,000 new members,” says Mr. Lawrence, who adds that membership is open to anyone who believes in the Legion’s mission.

“With new members, we also gain really good volunteers, who are the main reason the Legion is still going strong. We thank them all,” he says. “This new growth will help make us bigger and better – and hopefully allow us to continue for another 100 years.”

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