'It means the world to me,' says president as Royal Canadian Legion marks 100 years

'It means the world to me,' says president as Royal Canadian Legion marks 100 years

Founded in November 1925 in Winnipeg, it was incorporated on July 17, 1926

Summerside legion celebrates a century of serving veterans

Friday was a very special birthday for Gayle Mueller.

The president of the Branch 5 Legion in Summerside wasn’t only celebrating her 77th year, she was also revelling in 100 years of the Royal Canadian Legion.

"It means the world to me because veterans are part of my heart," she said.

"The legion is veterans in capital letters to me, and we need to take care of them, make sure that they're happy, healthy and have everything that they need. They deserve that. We have freedom because of them."

The Canadian Legion was founded in November 1925 in Winnipeg and incorporated on July 17, 1926. It saw strong growth through the 1930s followed by rapid expansion after the Second World War, and was granted royal patronage by Queen Elizabeth II in 1960, becoming the Royal Canadian Legion.

David Doucette, president of Prince Edward Island Command, said the legion is a place veterans can go "where they know the people there are in the same boat they are."

"Sometimes, speaking to a civilian, it doesn't help. They need to talk to somebody that went through what they went through," Doucette said.

"I think it's very important to have the legion and these services to let the veterans know we're not forgetting about them."

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Doucette recalls a time the legion was the centre of the community — he remembers going to see Santa Claus there each year. It was also a place for dances and weddings, he said, and many other memories.

"I remember growing up seeing the veterans carrying the flags on Remembrance Day. And I often thought, you know, someday I want to be a part of it," he said.

"I'm very glad I did. I joined the legion to help our veterans and I hope for the last 30 years that I've done that."

Sailor First Class Jonathan Palmer was 17 years old when he joined the legion. He noted many veterans of past wars such as the First World War, Second World War and Korean War are now gone, and said the anniversary is an opportunity for Canadians to remember them and what they put on the line.

"A sacrifice all those years ago is worth just as much as a sacrifice that was made yesterday," he said.

"Whether we're looking at World War I or whether we're looking at Afghanistan or anything else in between, I think it's very important that we take a moment to acknowledge a moment like this."

Part of the centennial celebrations July 17 included a time capsule to be opened in another 100 years.

For Mueller, the legion is an opportunity to give back to the soldiers who "gave so much." She said she wants them to make the legion their home and know they will be supported.

"It's so important that they have that and know that and I'm just so happy that I can be part of that and do what I can to make their lives happier," she said.

"Hopefully, the spirit of the legion stays the same. The building may change, the faces will change, but I hope the spirit of giving and caring is still there."

Lucas McInnis is a journalist at CBC Prince Edward Island. He can be reached at lucas.mcinnis@cbc.ca.

With files from Camryn Farquharson