Comrades,

It’s almost cliché to say that the past year has been a challenge on so many fronts. As the Legion, we have had to navigate a previously unknown world of health restrictions, mandatory branch closures, and the very real negative impacts that these have had on our membership numbers. I want to reach out to each of you, to let you know we are here to help, as well as to thank you for all that you do.

Thanks to each of you, the Legion has been able to continue supporting Veterans and their families throughout this pandemic. It is humbling to be a part of changing the lives of Veterans and their families. This week we helped a widow of a World War II Veteran stay in her home, by replacing her furnace. She is very grateful for the help and I am honoured that we, as an organization, is trusted by the citizens of Canada with the responsibility of providing support through The Poppy Fund.

The best news possible is that we have moved beyond hope for better times, to knowing that they’re on the way. And, as we move closer to better, more normal times, I look forward to us all being able to get back to even more of our work that changes the lives of Veterans, our members and our communities.

Yours in Comradeship,

John Mahon, CD

President
Alberta-NWT Command
The Royal Canadian Legion

2021 Dominion Convention

The 2021 Dominion Convention, 13-15 August, is going virtual. If you would like to be a delegate and participate in the proceedings, you can do so from home. Let your Branch know you would like to be a delegate and they will include you on their Credential Certificate. The cost to register is $30. The cut off deadline to register is June 30, 2021. There will also be online workshops on 13 August followed by an Alberta-NWT Command Caucus meeting. Come join us!

100th Anniversary of The Poppy

From its beginnings in John McCrae’s poem, In Flanders Fields, The Poppy has become one of the most recognizable images in Canada. It is a part of who we are as a county and as a people; symbolizing the sacrifices made in the name of freedom, and honouring those who put their lives before ours.

In the early years, Poppies were made by widows and injured Veterans and provided a source of income. Today, the small red flower, with a black centre, continues to support Veterans and their families in need, through the generosity of Canadians during the annual Royal Canadian Legion Poppy campaign.

To keep the symbol safe for all Canadians, The Legion holds the trademark on The Poppy, closely guarding the image and the funds it generates.

This year marks the 100^th Anniversary of The Poppy as a symbol of Remembrance. We would like to recognize any individual who shares this 100^th Birthday. Please send us their name and contact information.

What would you like to see Branches do, to mark the 100^th Anniversary of The Poppy?

If you have already renewed your membership, thank you for your support!

The Unknown Soldier

Twenty-one years ago on May 28, 2000, a horse-drawn RCMP gun carriage carrying the remains of an unknown Canadian soldier on his final journey, made the short trip from Parliament Hill to the National War Memorial in Ottawa. While this was the soldier’s final trip, his journey home to Canada was long and made possible, in part by the work of The Royal Canadian Legion.

The Legion worked closely with the Government of Canada and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, as part of the Canadian Millennium Program, to honour the sacrifices of Canada’s soldiers by repatriating an unknown Canadian who was killed in the battle of Vimy Ridge.

On May 16, 2000, the body of an unknown Canadian soldier was exhumed from the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery in Souchez, France. He was flown to Canada on a military plane, and his casket laid in state, under the Peace Tower in Hall of Honour of Parliament’s Centre Block for three days.

The soldier was taken to the National War Memorial and interred, at home, with full military honours in a silver maple casket. Legion members deposited soil from all provinces and territories, along with some from his original grave in France. With his sarcophagus sealed, his tomb now serves to honour all those Canadian servicemen and servicewomen who died in combat, past and future.

95th Anniversaries

This year, AB-NWT Command has 17 Branches celebrating a 95th Anniversary. Congratulations to each one for its service to our Veterans, their communities, our province, our country and The Legion.

Calgary to host 2024/2025 Legion Nationals

Calgary, Alberta will host the 2024 and 2025 Legion Nationals!

“It’s a huge commitment to host these games, and we know the Calgary games’ organizing committee and other dedicated volunteers will do an incredible job,” says Legion Dominion President Thomas D. Irvine. “Alberta and Northwest Territories Command along with Calgary and area branches are eager to welcome the athletes as well as coaches and officials from across the country.”

If you have already renewed your membership, thank you for your support!