Canada has been the site of squabbles since the 11th century when the Norsemen and the ancestors of the Beothuk fought each other at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland. And of course, that’s just as far back as we know about.
Since that time in our recorded history, skirmishes have taken place between feuding parties on our soil or far away almost constantly.
War divides people, but it also brings others together in a common cause. And when the battles are over, many people want to find others who have experienced what they have gone through.
And that’s how the Royal Canadian Legion was born — out of a need for fellowship and support.
The Royal Canadian Legion has long delivered that sense of belonging for veterans.
The search for an organization to support veterans began after the First World War came to an end. The organization began as the Dominion Veterans Alliance and then, in 1925, the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League was founded in Winnipeg.
The legion was incorporated by a special act of Parliament in 1926. It wasn’t until 1960 that Queen Elizabeth II gave her consent to use the prefix Royal and the organization became known as the Royal Canadian Legion.
Down through the years, while the activities of the legion have changed, its mandate has remained the same: support of veterans and those in the military (now broadened). It considers care of its veterans its primary duty.
These days, legions are cornerstones of communities and are used to support not only veterans and military or police personnel, but also their communities.
Originally, membership was confined to military veterans, but in recent years and because of their declining numbers, the 1,400 branches across the country open their doors to pretty much anyone.
This open-door policy has caused problems for some military personnel who see the venerable institution as a “civilian club” these days. But on the other hand, the work of the legion in society continues because it is often civilians who are pitching in to keep the branches open.
And as a group, its 260,000 volunteer members are a force to be reckoned with. Politicians continue to look to the legions as a resource of information and consent when developing policies that help both present and former members of the military forces.
And despite its changing demographics, the legion understands and promotes the importance of honouring past sacrifices and acknowledging the courage of those who served and still serve today.
Pat Costigan is a member of the East Bay Legion branch 151. She says she is attracted to the legion for its fellowship and the opportunity to be active in her community.
She and her husband Mike have long taken part in the social activities such as bingo and darts, as well as volunteering for the fundraising initiatives.
Most Canadians probably don’t realize that the legion is one of the largest supporters of community youth activities in the country.
Branches from one end of this country to the other, have been working all year to prepare for this year’s Nov. 11 Remembrance Day ceremonies. It must be gratifying for them to see so many people — thousands — attending these services year after year.
And once the day is over and legion members take a couple of well-deserved days off perhaps, then our legion buildings will go back to being the hub of many communities.
Veterans fought so that we all have democratic rights. We all benefit from their efforts and they deserve to be respected as the heroes that they are. This weekend, if you are fortunate enough to be around one, give them a hug.
Rosemary Godin is a retired minister and print journalist. She lives with hubby and Chuck (the dog) in Westmount where she learns a new word every day — and some are repeatable.
