Legion’s century of service marked at special event
By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh
The Royal Canadian Legion was established by an Act of Parliament on July 17, 1926. One hundred years later it is still championing remembrance, advocacy and supports for veterans, as a ceremony this month at Branch 50 in Kelligrews to mark the century of service attested.
“While many things have changed over the years, one thing has remained strong – our commitment to the remembrance of the fallen, of those who serve and sacrifice and for the families that stand beside and serve with them,” said Lisa Compton, secretary of the Branch 50 Legion. “Our modern-day legions are always changing and evolving to meet the needs of our veterans. We remember those who have gone before us and want to protect those who are with us and those who serve today.”
The event, which included Lt. Governor Joan Marie Aylward, highlighted the ongoing work done by the Legion and related organizations to not only celebrate members and advocate for veterans, but also showcase the organization as a focal point of support for Armed Forces members who return with various challenges, like physical injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“It’s a legacy of which you should all be very proud,” Aylward told a crowd of around 75 Legion members, veterans, cadets and community members during the afternoon ceremony.
Aylward’s visit to CBS included a trip to the Town hall, as well as a visit to the cenotaph and war memorial, which she called a credit to the community in honouring those who serve in uniform, including the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, firefighters and first responders.
“It acknowledges what you do every day, what you put yourselves through every day for your community, for your province and for your country,” Aylward said.
Aylward reflected on the trip to Beaumont-Hamel last year for repatriation of the unknown soldier, standing on the same ground where so many Newfoundlanders gave the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War.
“It holds such special meaning,” Aylward said, adding it is particularly important for the lieutenant governor to maintain a strong relationship with the Legion. “Because it was those young men and women, mostly men, who answered the call for King and country,” she said. “And as the King’s representative in the province, it is really important to focus on remembrance and the impact they had.”
Compton is also president of the Quilts of Valour Canada Society. She described a Quilt of Valour as akin to a hug from a grateful nation and a tribute to injured Canadian Armed Forces members.
Quilts of Valour started in 2006 when an Edmonton quilter presented quilts to three Canadian Armed Forces members who were recovering in hospital from wounds they received in Afghanistan.
Compton recalled when she first learned about Quilts of Valour during service in Kandahar, Afghanistan. She would wrap members of the Armed Services in a Quilt of Valour before they were sent to Germany for medical treatment, and where they would often connect with their family.
“We would send the patient safely on their way and when I would tuck them into these beautiful quilts I would tell them, ‘Goodnight and God bless, and when you open your eyes to people you love best,’” said Compton. “Now what makes me so proud to be part of this organization is that it didn’t take long at all for them to realize that while Afghanistan and the veterans there were the reason that they kind of thought about it being started, there were so many more veterans who needed to be recognized and thanked by one of these quilts.”
Compton, who herself received a quilt in 2016, was proud to present local veteran Winston Childs with a Quilt of Valour. Childs was wrapped in the quilt by Compton, Aylward and family members that included wife Dorothy, son Dale, daughter-in-law Wendy, grandson Sam and sister Faye.
Compton also presented a pair of quilts to Lt. (N) Steve Courtney, who serves as chaplain of the garrison in St. John’s. He has been organizing a quiet room as a place of peaceful reflection. Compton and Courtney were former schoolmates growing up and he connected with her about ways to decorate the new space and a pair of wall hangings were donated by Branch 50 and handed over to Courtney by Branch 50 President Mo Keeping and Vice-President Wayne Miller.
Jeanne Daniels, a veteran who suffers from PTSD, shared her story leading up to performing her song Army Green as part of the event.
Five Legion members were also recognized with long-service pins and medals, including Gary Fourn (55 years), Gail Morgan (50 years, associate member), Gerry Farrell (50 years), Derek Ballard (50 years) and Gerald Budden (50 years).
“What is the best way I can explain what it means to be a veteran? What it means to have served Canada and for the people of the Royal Canadian Legion, both those that served in uniform and those that continue to support veterans today? It’s that a soldier does not fight for what they see in front of them. A soldier fights for what they know they leave behind,” said Compton.