Flipping for 100: Legion serves up Centennial celebration

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman LETHBRIDGE HERALD The Royal Canadian Legion is commemorating 100 years of supporting veterans, promoting Remembrance, and serving communities and the community is invited to celebrate the milestone with a pancake breakfast on Saturday. The Royal Canadian Legion was formed through the merger of three organizations: the Great War Veterans Association, the Canadian Legion The post Flipping for 100: Legion serves up Centennial celebration appeared first on The Lethbridge Herald - News and Sports from around Lethbridge .

By Lethbridge Herald on July 17, 2026. Alejandra Pulido-Guzman LETHBRIDGE HERALD The Royal Canadian Legion is commemorating 100 years of supporting veterans, promoting Remembrance, and serving communities and the community is invited to celebrate the milestone with a pancake breakfast on Saturday.

The Royal Canadian Legion was formed through the merger of three organizations: the Great War Veterans Association, the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force Veterans in Canada. Originally founded as the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League at the Unity Conference in 1925, its primary purpose was to support veterans, advocate for their rights, and promote remembrance of those who served in the military. On July 17, 1926, the organization was incorporated by a special Act of Parliament and issued its charter, officially becoming The Canadian Legion – a date now recognized as the official anniversary of the Legion.

In July 1960, through a Royal Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth II, the organization was formally renamed The Royal Canadian Legion. Co-Chair for public relations with the General Stewart Branch No 4, Glenn Miller said Thursday that the community is invited to help them celebrate the Royal Canadian Legion’s 100th birthday. “It is the 17th of July, but in our community, we’re going to celebrate it on Saturday with a pancake breakfast.

The community, not just from Lethbridge, but also the surrounding area, because our footprint has extended to all over Lethbridge and surrounding area, is invited to attend,” said Miller. Chair of the centenary committee, Sheila Heinrich said there will be three events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Dominion of Royal Canadian Legion. “The first event happens on Saturday, and it runs from 9 a.m.

util 12 p.m. We are honoured with the presence of Trevor Panzak, who will offer entertainment for that event,” said Heinrich about the pancake breakfast. She added that 15 local crafter tables will be set up on the parking lot, right in front of the Legion.

“If you’re looking for a toonie pancake breakfast on Saturday morning, you are most welcome, it is for the entire community. Bring your kids, bring your neighbours. It is also for Legion members,” said Heinrich.

She said attendees do not have to be Legion members, but they can become members if they wish to do so. “Our 100th anniversary membership to the Royal Canadian Legion is free, and everyone is welcome,” said Heinrich. “We’ve already signed up over 250 new members to the branch this year, on top of the about 900 that we already had.

Our membership is growing.” She said the second event will take place during the Whoop-Up Days parade in August. “We’re entering a float that will be decorated and will have veterans on it, signage for free membership and celebrating our 100th anniversary,” said Heinrich.

She said the third event will celebrate the branch’s 100th anniversary in October. The General Stewart Branch No 4 is turning 100 and will have several activities during Legion week in September. A free Veterans dinner will start the week on the Sept. 20 with the goal of having 100 Veterans attend.

“On Oct. 3 a fundraising Gala will take place at the Sandman Signature Hotel with a special live performance play of Jake’s Gift, and it is a fundraising for the branch,” said Heinrich. For Miller, who is a veteran himself, being able to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Legion is very exciting. “When I first started, I had an opportunity to meet a veteran from the First World War, who fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, and having that significance in the knowledge of what the battle meant as a gunner, to be able to talk to a fellow gunner, was pretty special,” said Miller.

He also shared a memory from long before he became a veteran, which made him value the Legion and what they do for veterans even more. “When I was between six and eight years old, the veterans picked up butts in the streets and make their own cigarette butts. We’ve come a long way in how we treat our veterans after their contributions to the Canadian society, and it’s always getting better,” said Miller.