CANADIAN ARMED FORCES AND THE RCMP
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The Alberta-Northwest Command, Leduc Branch No. 108, of the Royal Canadian Legion serves members and residents of Leduc, Leduc County and surrounding communities in Alberta in accordance with the purposes and objectives of the Royal Canadian Legion. |
MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of the Royal Canadian Legion
is to serve Veterans, which includes serving military and RCMP members and their families, to promote Remembrance and to serve our community and our country. |
Serving Veterans and their families locally. We provide:
- Assistance with disability claims or related issues with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB), through the local and provincial Service Officers;
- Legion Poppy Fund services and support;
- Visitations, at home including Seniors Lodges and Continuing Care facilities. This can include pins and awards presentation especially where the member has limited mobility, to provide member and family support services, etc.;
- Outreach programs. Participation in the outreach programs is extended to serving recently retired members and first responders in Leduc and Leduc County. This includes the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP, Sheriffs, Peace Officers, Fire Departments, Emergency Medical Services, etc. Examples include Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) program information sessions, second career presentations, PTSD support, etc.;
- Local coordination of national Royal Canadian Legion programs, such as the Seniors Support Program: "The Home Away Initiative";
- Family assistance and support, including visitations, assistance with VAC and funerals.
The Royal Canadian Legion
The Royal Canadian Legion as it exists today is the result of 90 years of evolution and progress. It is the direct result of Canada going to war. Even before the end of World War I veterans were organizing into affinity groups, and more formal associations, to maintain the comradeship they had known in the trenches of Europe. Even more importantly they felt the need to assist and support the many disabled veterans, and the families of those killed. In 1917 the members of 147 veterans associations merged to form the Great War Veterans Association which became one of the major players in the formation of the Legion. By the mid 1920’s specialized groups like the Tubercular Veterans Association, Amputees Association and the Royal North West Mounted Police Veterans Association formed again and there were almost twenty organizations that had risen from the need of “Returned Men” to continue to serve.
The Royal Canadian Legion began as the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. It was an umbrella organization created at the founding convention in Regina, Saskatchewan in early 1926 after a unity conference in Winnipeg in November 1925. About a dozen of the veteran’s organizations that had been created by Canadian veterans of World War I voted to join this new national organization. It became the Canadian Legion 1958 and in 1960 Her Majesty; Queen Elizabeth, granted permission to rename the organization The Royal Canadian Legion.
The adoption of the new Veterans Charter has resulted in expanding the definition of a Canadian veteran beyond that of traditional veterans and it is hoped that it will result in more interest in an organization that has not varied from its original mission to serve veterans and their families, to promote Remembrance and to act in the service of Canada and its communities.
The Royal Canadian Legion as it exists today is the result of 90 years of evolution and progress. It is the direct result of Canada going to war. Even before the end of World War I veterans were organizing into affinity groups, and more formal associations, to maintain the comradeship they had known in the trenches of Europe. Even more importantly they felt the need to assist and support the many disabled veterans, and the families of those killed. In 1917 the members of 147 veterans associations merged to form the Great War Veterans Association which became one of the major players in the formation of the Legion. By the mid 1920’s specialized groups like the Tubercular Veterans Association, Amputees Association and the Royal North West Mounted Police Veterans Association formed again and there were almost twenty organizations that had risen from the need of “Returned Men” to continue to serve.
The Royal Canadian Legion began as the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. It was an umbrella organization created at the founding convention in Regina, Saskatchewan in early 1926 after a unity conference in Winnipeg in November 1925. About a dozen of the veteran’s organizations that had been created by Canadian veterans of World War I voted to join this new national organization. It became the Canadian Legion 1958 and in 1960 Her Majesty; Queen Elizabeth, granted permission to rename the organization The Royal Canadian Legion.
The adoption of the new Veterans Charter has resulted in expanding the definition of a Canadian veteran beyond that of traditional veterans and it is hoped that it will result in more interest in an organization that has not varied from its original mission to serve veterans and their families, to promote Remembrance and to act in the service of Canada and its communities.
Alberta NWT Command
Alberta Command was created in 1926 along with other provincial commands at the founding convention of the Legion. It remained a separate entity, although it had a couple of branches in The Yukon, until 1974 when the branches of the Northwest Territories joined to form Alberta-NWT Command.
Like all other Commands, Alberta’s grew most rapidly after World War II. At its membership peak there were almost three hundred branches and over 70,000 members in communities from one corner of the province to the other. Between the creation of The Royal Canadian Legion in 1926 and 1940 there were 145 charters issued to branches in the command. Between 1941 and 1950 there were 109 more charters issued; from 1981 to 1990 only 2 new branches were chartered and since then there have only been sporadic requests to gain a charter.
Alberta Command was created in 1926 along with other provincial commands at the founding convention of the Legion. It remained a separate entity, although it had a couple of branches in The Yukon, until 1974 when the branches of the Northwest Territories joined to form Alberta-NWT Command.
Like all other Commands, Alberta’s grew most rapidly after World War II. At its membership peak there were almost three hundred branches and over 70,000 members in communities from one corner of the province to the other. Between the creation of The Royal Canadian Legion in 1926 and 1940 there were 145 charters issued to branches in the command. Between 1941 and 1950 there were 109 more charters issued; from 1981 to 1990 only 2 new branches were chartered and since then there have only been sporadic requests to gain a charter.
Dominion Command
The Royal Canadian Legion is Canada’s largest Veteran support and community service organization. Our more than 300,000 members in over 1400 Branches across Canada make a difference in the lives of Veterans and their families and provide essential services within our communities. It is comprised of more than 400,000 members in approximately 1,600 branches in Canada, the United States, Germany and The Netherlands. The Legion is dedicated to Remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Country.
By the end of World War 1, there were a total of 15 Veterans groups and a number of regimental associations representing former service members in Canada. Despite their common goal – to help returned servicemen in need – their efforts were fragmented and largely unsuccessful. In 1925, an appeal for unity led to the formation of the Dominion Veterans Alliance. The Legion was founded in November of that year in Winnipeg, Manitoba as The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League (BESL). It was incorporated by special Act of Parliament, Charter issued in July 1926.
Initially, the principal objectives of the Legion were to provide a strong voice for World War I Veterans and advise the government on Veterans’ issues. However, World War II brought an influx of new demands and the Legion increased efforts to help Veterans and returned service members, as well as those serving abroad.
To this day, even with numerous changes over the years, including the adoption of our current name, The Royal Canadian Legion has never faltered in our efforts to improve the lives of Veterans, ex-service members and their families. It has been our principal objective since day one, and we will continue to work for it every day forward. As well, 4,300,000+ hours are committed by Legionnaires each year in volunteer activity.
For an in-depth look at the Legion, go to: History
The Royal Canadian Legion is Canada’s largest Veteran support and community service organization. Our more than 300,000 members in over 1400 Branches across Canada make a difference in the lives of Veterans and their families and provide essential services within our communities. It is comprised of more than 400,000 members in approximately 1,600 branches in Canada, the United States, Germany and The Netherlands. The Legion is dedicated to Remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Country.
By the end of World War 1, there were a total of 15 Veterans groups and a number of regimental associations representing former service members in Canada. Despite their common goal – to help returned servicemen in need – their efforts were fragmented and largely unsuccessful. In 1925, an appeal for unity led to the formation of the Dominion Veterans Alliance. The Legion was founded in November of that year in Winnipeg, Manitoba as The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League (BESL). It was incorporated by special Act of Parliament, Charter issued in July 1926.
Initially, the principal objectives of the Legion were to provide a strong voice for World War I Veterans and advise the government on Veterans’ issues. However, World War II brought an influx of new demands and the Legion increased efforts to help Veterans and returned service members, as well as those serving abroad.
To this day, even with numerous changes over the years, including the adoption of our current name, The Royal Canadian Legion has never faltered in our efforts to improve the lives of Veterans, ex-service members and their families. It has been our principal objective since day one, and we will continue to work for it every day forward. As well, 4,300,000+ hours are committed by Legionnaires each year in volunteer activity.
For an in-depth look at the Legion, go to: History
