Kentville Royal Canadian Legion celebrating 100th

Mural helps tell legion’s story, depicting evolution of Canadian Armed Forces

It is the willingness of veterans to put their lives on the line that has led to Canadians enjoying lives of freedom today. That is the message from the Royal Canadian Legion as the organization celebrates its centenary year. Bud Johnson, past president of the Kentville legion and current Zone 8 commander, said the 100th anniversary of the legion, and the Kentville branch, is about celebrating the soldiers and families that supported the wars Canada was involved in.

He said the Royal Canadian Legion celebrates its centenary as an organization on July 17, while the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 6 in Kentville will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Oct. 26. The Kentville legion was the sixth in Nova Scotia to be officially registered. Related Kentville Legion launching Veterans Memorial Banner Program this year

Residents gather in Kentville to ensure ‘those collective sacrifices are never forgotten’ Lest we forget: Hundreds converge on Kentville cenotaph for Remembrance Day Johnson said the legion has helped military service and RCMP veterans, their families, and communities in many ways. A few examples include financial support for heating oil or food and providing hearing aids, wheelchairs, beds, walkers, and crutches. The social aspect of legions is also very important, as they provide a place for veterans to gather and have conversations about their experiences.

He said that sort of support system was what the legion was originally started for. Many veterans may feel comfortable sharing stories with each other that they wouldn’t want to share with their families or other friends. “It wasn’t always glorious, what they had to go through.

That’s for sure,” Johnson said. Kentville legion public relations chairperson Debbie Surette said there are various programs available to veterans, such as learning to tie fishing lures and going on fishing trips, “buddy checks,” and coffee drop-ins. This gives them an opportunity to socialize with other veterans and share experiences in a safe environment.

Royal Canadian Legion national communications and public relations manager Nujma Bond said the legion has been fortunate to assist and enrich the lives of veterans in a variety of ways locally and nationally. This includes assistance provided by their network of service officers. “We can ultimately help veterans fill out forms to ensure they receive government benefits, or provide help in emergency situations,” Bond said in a July 9 email.

She said they’ve fostered peer support initiatives such as Operation Vet Build, which brings veterans together to build models and new friendships. The legion’s work also extends to supporting research needed to better confront health issues faced by veterans and the wider community. “Our branches are also integral in directly supporting families, through things like scholarships, special events, and assistance in times of natural disasters,” Bond said.

Surette said, in Kentville, service officer Ambrose Ivany helps veterans and families navigate the application process for various federal benefits they may be eligible for. In Nova Scotia, she said, the legion has also started matching qualifying veterans with service dogs. Bond said there are many ways that members of the public can support the legion’s work.

Becoming a member not only supports the organization’s work, but it also brings “wonderful opportunities to help shape its future.” “People can volunteer at their local branch, whether it’s with their operations, or during the National Poppy Campaign, which raises funds to support our veterans and families,” she said. Bond said actions like these are key to the legion’s ability to carry out its mandate.

When it comes to the legion’s focus on remembrance, attending or assisting with remembrance ceremonies or initiatives are crucial ways to help honour veterans and ensure that these traditions continue into the future. “Not only must we remember those who are gone, we must care for those who are serving or retired and still with us,” she said. Free membership drive Johnson said the Kentville legion currently has about 385 members, with more people joining as part of a free membership offer for the legion’s centenary year.

Branches across Canada are offering free membership as part of an effort to increase numbers. Regarding the free membership offer, Bond said they welcome all those who support the organization’s mission to serve veterans and their families, promote remembrance, and support communities. “It’s an opportunity to say thank you to all those who have supported our work, and to invite new members to join us,” Bond said.

“With new members come new ideas and energy, both of which will help with our work and our evolution, as we head into the next century.” Johnson said perhaps the biggest challenges facing the legion now and into the future include membership and volunteerism among members. “The sad thing is, a lot of people look at the legion as more-less a club to go and have a drink or whatever, and it does include much more than that,” he said.

Johnson said they need volunteers to sit at poppy tables, help with dances and other legion events, or help maintain buildings. It’s volunteer efforts that make the legion sustainable. In Kentville, Surette said, they are trying different ways to engage veterans and the community in programming, and every community is unique.

They’re working to change public perception of the legion and to dispel myths. For example, the organization isn’t exclusively for veterans. Any Canadian citizen who is of age can become a member, and many events are open to everyone whether they’re members or not.

She said any programs for veterans that they run are open to all veterans, whether they choose to be members or not. Surette said some volunteer positions are time intensive, but the legion also has positions for those who only have a couple of hours a week or month to contribute. “There’s a lot of flexibility built into where we need help, but as my mother used to say, ‘Many hands make light work,’” Surette said.

“If we could have many more hands, the work would be lighter for everybody.” Bond said legion branches across the country have a great deal of independence and flexibility in their operations and day-to-day programming, so the challenges faced at any given time can vary. However, “what some may consider a common challenge heading into the next century is actually an opportunity.”

She said membership has been steadily increasing over the past few years and is now “soaring” during the free membership year. The Royal Canadian Legion will focus on its continued evolution, “which doesn’t happen overnight.” “That means actions like integrating the interests and skills of thousands of new members, supporting the modernization of branches, and coming up with new initiatives to make life even better for veterans, families, and communities,” Bond said.

Centenary mural project A couple of years ago, the Kentville legion began planning to have a mural painted on the western exterior wall of the building as a centenary project. Johnson said they commissioned Prince Churchill from Art by Prince Studios, which is based in Halifax, to create the mural. Work began in mid-May and finished in early June.

The artwork was officially unveiled at a June 20 ceremony. Johnson said comments and feedback they’ve received about the work have been largely positive. It depicts the evolution of the three branches of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the Royal Canadian Air Force.

He said there is imagery representing the Boer War, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and later conflicts including Afghanistan. Churchill describes the mural as “a journey through time that follows the evolution of Canadian service across generations.” “More than anything, it’s about the people behind the uniforms in time,” he said.

“We wanted to show how each generation has carried the responsibility forward while recognizing the legion’s role in keeping those stories alive over the past 100 years.” Churchill said he and his team are very proud of the mural, and it’s exciting to see it become part of the Kentville legion’s 100th anniversary celebration. He served as the creative director and lead designer, while Zoya Hussain was the lead artist and “played a huge role in bringing the mural to life.”

Jessica Penney assisted through the Art by Prince Studios Mural Mentorship Program, “gaining hands-on experience as part of the team.” Churchill said he hopes people slow down for a moment when they see the mural. Maybe they’ll reflect on a family member who served or perhaps learn something new from the images depicted.

“If the mural starts conversations between generations and helps people appreciate the sacrifices behind our freedoms, then we think it’s done its job,” Churchill said. He said artistic inspiration for the mural came from the veterans, their sacrifices, and the legion’s legacy. They wanted to create something that felt like a visual timeline that people could walk alongside.

Churchill said their team likes to think outside the box and thought each figure should look like a pencil sketch. He said that can be seen throughout the mural, especially considering the figures are depicted in black and white. He said projects like the Kentville legion centenary mural are “exactly why I started Art by Prince Studios.”

Being trusted to help celebrate the legion’s 100th anniversary is “a real honour.” Churchill said it gave them the chance to create something that recognizes the people who served while giving the community an almost 100-foot piece of art they can connect with for years to come. Anniversary open house Surette said the Kentville legion, located at 37 River St., is hosting an open house for the public on July 17 as part of national centenary celebrations.

All events and refreshments are free with the exception of alcohol. It includes merchandise bingo for all ages upstairs in the hall beginning at 3:30 p.m. There will be old fashion games for kids upstairs in the hall at 4:30 p.m.; free hot dogs, cake, and beverages for all ages upstairs in the hall at 5:30 p.m.; and “beer and bingo” in the downstairs lounge for ages 19 and up at 7 p.m.