Strathmore Legion celebrates centennial

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10 Strathmore celebrated a once in a lifetime milestone, July 17, marking the centennial anniversary of the organization.

Taking a “go big or go home” attitude, the Legion’s second annual Veterans Motorcycle Club show and shine was hosted in addition to the party going on inside the building. 

“The very first Legion in Canada was started July 17, 100 years ago in Winnipeg, and it was started by a bunch of World War I veterans who wanted to start something in support of their comrades,” said Jennifer Fransen Arnaud, public relations chair for the Strathmore Legion Branch 10.

“Our Legion, it got its charter on Oct. 8, 1926, but our Legion, our veterans in the community, and those who also served – the families and businesspeople who stayed behind, put a lot of work into the Great War Memorial Hall in advance of the 100 years.”

She explained the Memorial Hall has previously been home to many service organization meetings, community dances, and even sporting events such as wrestling and boxing.

During many of the dances, children in the community were often sent to the upstairs balcony, now the Veterans Hall, so their parents could dance the night away.

Nowadays, the Legion continues to host organizations such as the True North board of directors, and the Strathmore Country Garden Club for their meetings, and regularly aids in local fundraising efforts. 

“Friday was all about celebrating what the Legion has brought to this community and what it hopes to bring to this community for the next 100 years,” said Franssen Arnaud. “If there are things that families can be involved in, we include them. I love that the kids all come out for pancake breakfast before stampede. It is still very much a hub of social interaction for the community and there is a large senior population who make good use of the space.”

For the immediate future, the Legion aims to see the remainder of the necessary infrastructure repairs to the memorial hall completed.

Over the last three years, the furnaces, air conditioning, and floors have been among the major repairs undertaken. Next up are the walls in the canteen.

“When all the upgrades are done, then we have got time to focus on encouraging more organizations or more groups of people to use the space,” said Franssen Arnaud. “This Legion particularly, (President) Donovan and a couple of other veterans really took it upon themselves to revisit the original mission, which is all about service to veterans and the community. Because they have taken it so seriously, the rest of the gang seems to be on board.”