Local branches of the Royal Canadian Legion are inviting their communities to celebrate the Legion’s 100th anniversary with them.
The Legion was incorporated by an Act of Parliament on July 17, 1926, bringing together several different veterans’ organizations. At that time, it was the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League.
The “British Empire” reference was dropped in 1959. In 1960, Queen Elizabeth II granted consent for the Legion to adopt the “Royal” designation. The organization was formally renamed The Royal Canadian Legion in 1961.
St. Paul Branch 100 celebrates 90 years in 2026, while Bonnyville Branch 183 and Cold Lake Branch 211 will each mark 80 years of service.
St. Paul’s Legion branch is inviting the community to drop in on Saturday July 18 for hamburgers and hot dogs, games, and socializing. The Legion hall, with its impressive collection of historical displays, will be open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. There is no charge, and everyone is welcome. Voluntary cash donations will be accepted.
Bonnyville will celebrate with the community over two days July 17 and 18. The doors open at
5:00 pm on Friday for a steak night and live music; and then on Saturday the Branch is offering a $2 breakfast from 8:30 – 10:30 am, $5 burgers from noon to 2:00pm, and more live music starting at 1:00 pm.
Cold Lake Branch 211 will hold its formal events in September, combining the Legion’s centennial celebration with the Branch’s 80th anniversary. Branch president Todd Rorke explained that with the Cold Lake Airshow going on, the July 18 weekend isn’t a convenient time for the official celebration.
But the Branch will still honour the centennial at upcoming events: a supper on Friday, July 10 with special prices, door prizes, and popular New Orleans-style jazz band The Hurricane Horns; and another supper on Friday, July 17.
The Legion continues to provide important services to veterans through local branches and the Legion Service Bureau. It advocates for veterans’ interests at the policy level.
The organization is probably best known for its activities surrounding Veterans Week and Remembrance Day, notably the annual Poppy Campaign that raises funds specifically for providing important services to veterans.
Anyone who shares the Legion’s values and principles of service to veterans, remembrance, and community involvement is eligible to join. During the centennial year of 2026, new members can join for free. Visit your local Legion Branch for details.
