Legion prepares to celebrate centennial anniversary of war memorial hall

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #10, occupying Strathmore, has announced plans to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the local Great War Memorial Hall.

Donovan Arnaud, who served as a Commander in the Royal Canadian Navy for 25 years, explained the hall was built originally as a memorial to the fallen in the Great War, but now also serves the surrounding community, as well as local veterans.

“The building itself that the Legion lives in now, the Great War Memorial Hall was built 100 years ago to celebrate the actual sacrifice of the many people from the Strathmore area who served … and many of whom died in the process of doing that,” said Arnaud.

“It’s quite an honour to actually be part of the Legion at this time, to actually be able to participate in the celebration of this event (for) this wonderful building.”

The Legion is planning for the celebration to begin on July 8 with celebrations ongoing until July 11, the actual day of the centennial, when a formal dedication will be held at the cenotaph. 

“I know I speak for many of the other members of the Legion, many of whom have been here forever – that they are very excited about the celebration and they’re very honoured to be a part of it,” said Arnaud.

“It is the sacred responsibility of the Royal Canadian Legion to care for the veterans of the Great War, World War Two, the Korean War and of course, all the military activities since then.”

On July 8, it is currently scheduled to host a dinner for local veterans. Any veterans in Strathmore, Wheatland County and who call the local region home are welcome, including those who do not necessarily engage with the Legion itself.

Arnaud explained a darts tournament is set to be held on the Saturday and a golf tournament is scheduled for the Sunday, prior to the ceremony on Monday, July 11.

“The Legion has been a very central community hub for a long, long time … it continues to serve the community as a place, for the hall that is often rented out by a variety of purposes,” said Arnaud. 

“It’s a place that welcomes all comers in the community for a variety of activities and that’s what it does on an ongoing basis.”

Arnaud also explained the Legion itself as an organization will soon be celebrating its own centennial anniversary, as it was founded in 1925.