Royal Canadian Legion celebrates centennial in Edmonton

Edmonton’s Kingsway branch of the Royal Canadian Legion celebrated the military support group’s centennial under a hot sun on Friday.

Edmonton’s Kingsway branch of the Royal Canadian Legion celebrated the military support group’s centennial under a hot sun on Friday. Outside the 50 Street location was a colour guard marching in place and a flag raising to celebrate the milestone. Legion President Richard Etmanski says the group has stood as a symbol of “service, remembrance and community” since its founding.

“It has supported Canadian veterans, active military members, RCMP officers and their families,” he said. The Royal Canadian Legion was founded in 1926 for veterans returning home from the First World War. While the day was a celebration of its significance, there was a moment of reflection to remind attendees of why the legion was necessary to begin with.

“The heat of the sun today is nothing like the heat of battle,” Ward Dene Coun. Aaron Paquette told the crowd on Friday. “This small moment in this hot sun is an honour to be able to remember those who have fallen, those who served, those who have come home and carry the burden still.”

The legion’s Ladies Auxiliary president Kim Earles says the group has morphed through the years for the better. “It used to be an old boy’s club. You had to have a military affiliation, that’s no longer.

Anybody can come and join the legion. You fill out an application and apply – male, female, anybody can come,” she said. Many branches, including Kingsway, have struggled to survive in recent years.

Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack says that should change as Canada invests in defence. “I think legions are going to see increased use as we go forward ... It’s going to be even more important to have spaces like this, because the world has changed a lot,” he said.

“To have a place of connection, to have a place of community, to have a place where you can get the support you need, that might be a little more comfortable for service members.” During its centennial, legions are offering free membership. Being a veteran is not a requirement.

Etmanski says the goal is to connect the community for another 100 years. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Amanda Anderson