OTTAWA \u2014 The Royal Canadian Legion is celebrating both its 100th anniversary and what it describes as a surge in new memberships.<\/p>\n
Gov. Gen. Louise Arbour will participate in a commemorative ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Friday morning to recognize the Legion\u2019s anniversary. Arbour is set to deliver short remarks and lay a wreath during the ceremony.<\/p>\n
At Ottawa City Hall on Friday afternoon, Canada Post will unveil a new stamp marking the anniversary.<\/p>\n
The Royal Canadian Legion was formed after the First World War, when soldiers coming home with injuries and trauma needed support, including financial aid and housing. It was officially incorporated in July 1926.<\/p>\n
Legion spokesperson Nujma Bond said over the last century, the organization\u2019s purpose has expanded beyond serving veterans and their families to include promoting public awareness of the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers.<\/p>\n
For decades, she said, the Legion has organized Canada\u2019s National Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa, while many smaller ceremonies are hosted by individual Legion branches.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe community aspect of the Legion is huge,\u201d she said. \u201cIn many centres, smaller centres in particular, Legion branches are the hubs of their community. It\u2019s where people go to sometimes get married or for simply just camaraderie and something to eat.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve grown to really play a very strong role across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Legion says it has about 300,000 members and more than 1,350 branches in communities across Canada, from Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Nfld., to Prince George, B.C.<\/p>\n
This year, Bond said, the Legion is offering free membership to anyone who wishes to join. In the first half of the year, she said, 100,000 people joined the organization.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we\u2019re looking at the past 100 years, there have been ups and downs, and there have it been in more recent times as well, but right now, the membership is spiking,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s really gratifying and amazing to see this.\u201d <\/p>\n
Bond said most members are veterans or relatives of veterans, though anyone is allowed to join.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to entering the next century with this strong membership and what it may hold in the future,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Legion branches across the country are marking the anniversary this week with local ceremonies, dinners and other special events.<\/p>\n
Scott Maxwell, chief executive officer of Wounded Warriors Canada, said the Royal Canadian Legion helps support veterans\u2019 organizations across Canada, including his own.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe provincial commands are giving us hundreds of thousands of dollars in Ontario a year to help us pair veterans with service dogs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Without Legion branches across Canada, Maxwell said, it would be easy for people to forget about the history of the armed forces.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s kind of like that staple in the community of remembrance,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a pretty significant component of our ability as a nation to remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press<\/p>\n
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