Monthly Archives: June 2024

[Reminder] Commemoration Day Virtual Service 2024

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While July 1st is Canada Day, for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians it is also Memorial Day or Commemoration Day – a day when we remember the tragic events of the Battle of Beaumont Hamel.

The first of July 1916 was the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, when 806 members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment climbed out of their trenches and went “over the top” at 8:45am as part of the battle of Beaumont-Hamel. In less than an hour, the regiment was devastated, most killed or wounded within the first 20 minutes of the battle. The next morning, only 68 soldiers answered the roll call. Commemoration Day was established in 1917, just one year later.

After Confederation with Canada, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador continued the tradition of Commemoration Day during the morning of July 1st, and reserved the remainder of the day to celebrate Canada Day. To honour this tradition, US Branch #25 of the Royal Canadian Legion, representing the San Francisco Bay Area, will be hosting their own Commemoration Day service.  Join us and the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps – Arkansas Division, as we present a Commemoration Day Virtual Service at 8am (Pacific) on Monday, 01 July.  To watch, please register at:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_T9SPDJ78QeeZFlPsMOBdMw

Wounded at Caen: A survivor describes combat in Normandy

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An item from the Legion Magazine.
Front Lines
Front Lines

Major Stewart Hastings Bull commanded ‘A’ company of the Essex Scottish Regiment at Caen until he was wounded and lost an eye. (THE CANADIAN LETTERS AND IMAGES PROJECT)

Wounded at Caen: A survivor describes combat in Normandy

STORY BY STEPHEN J. THORNE

It was early July 1944 and Stewart Hastings Bull had just followed the D-Day landings into France when he was promoted and handed ‘A’ company of The Essex Scottish Regiment to lead through the liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe.

The regiment had been gutted at Dieppe. Major Bull’s first taste of war came almost two years later during the battle for Caen. A runner summoned him the night he arrived at their encampment in an orchard just outside the city, 15 kilometres from the D-Day beaches. His second-in-command wanted to see him.

READ MORE
Vintage Warbirds Posters
Military Milestones
Military Milestones

CORB children en route to their new home 1940. (NATIONAL ARCHIVES UK)

A warm reception: Canada’s children of the Blitz

STORY BY ALEX BOWERS

It was around 11 a.m. on Aug. 4, 1940, when Margaret Beal bid farewell to all she had ever known. Departing on a train from Scarborough, U.K., the 14-year-old watched as her parents, standing on the platform, faded into the steam.

Exactly 26 years before, the British teenager’s home country had been mobilizing upon the outbreak of the First World War. Now, she, too, was on the move, although her journey was destined to be markedly different.

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Your kindness has an impact on Canada’s Veterans

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An item from Dominion Command.

See how Legion members are changing lives 

Legion Debrief. News, updates and announcements for Legion Members. Visit member services.
June 2024
Twitter. Facebook. Youtube. Instagram. Linkedin.
Poppy Store.
Making a difference, the Legion way
Every Legion member has the power to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Veterans and their families. From offering a helping hand to Veterans in your community to paying tribute to those who have passed, our collective efforts shine brightly across Canada, Whether you’re engaging in heartwarming conversations, organizing events, or participating in commemorative activities, your involvement supports Veterans and helps ensure their legacy lives on forever.
Visit your local Legion Branch today to discover how you can make a difference and honour the sacrifices made by those who served.
The Newfoundland National War Memorial.
Unknown Newfoundland Soldier to be laid to rest at the National War Memorial in St. John’s
On July 1st, the repatriated remains of a Newfoundland soldier who fought in the First World War will be laid to rest inside a tomb of an unknown soldier on the 100th anniversary of the Newfoundland National War Memorial in St. John’s. In preparation, the War Memorial is undergoing an extensive refurbishment: the result of a partnership between The Royal Canadian Legion Newfoundland and Labrador Command and all three levels of government.
Learn more about the War Memorial, its history, and the plans for the July 1st repatriation ceremony in this 3‑part series, courtesy of NTV News.
Join us July 1st at 9:00am EST on Facebook as we livestream coverage of the Unknown Newfoundland Soldier being laid to rest. Tune in here.
Woman veteran seen from the back with the Canadian flag in the background.
Legion Calls on Government to implement ACVA recommendations to support women Veterans
The Royal Canadian Legion fully supports the recommendations outlined in the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA) report titled Invisible No More. The Experiences of Canadian Women Veterans. This landmark report, the largest ever carried out by the Committee, records for the first time the lived experiences of over 50 women Veterans with service from today to over the past 40 years.
The testimony overwhelming highlighted how women Veterans have encountered barriers and challenges to have their service‑related injuries recognized by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). The Royal Canadian Legion calls on the Government to produce an implementation plan, including a detailed timeline and defined oversight. We will monitor the progress and outcome of the report and are committed to collaborate and assist to ensure the timely implementation of all recommendations.
Read more  ‣
Two bracelets and a pamphlet that reads: I am trained to provide Mental Health First Aid.
Legion members can make a lifechanging difference
Our Legion community is passionate about advocating for and helping Veterans. This is a story from the President of Legion Branch 418, St. Catharines, Ontario.
“Seeing the story shared by Royal Canadian Legion National Headquarters on social media brought back a flood of warm memories. Back in 2017–2018, with the support of Chris Bittle’s MP office, I had the privilege of securing funding to host the Mental Health First Aid for Veterans course at Branch 418. I joined the course as a participant, alongside a group of Veterans whose company I deeply cherished. That weekend was more than just an educational experience; it was a journey of shared stories, resilience, and camaraderie.
In the days following the course, I returned to the Branch to find a note on my desk, accompanied by a handcrafted bracelet. The message was simple yet profound: “Yvonne. You saved my life this weekend. Keep up the good work and keep offering the courses. We need them. – A thankful Veteran.” The weight of those words and the bracelet’s presence have never left me. It was a stark reminder of the profound impact we can have on each other’s lives, especially for those who have served our nation. This inspiration led me to secure additional funding, enabling Branch 418 to offer the course again the following year.
To the Veteran who left that note, I want you to know that your bracelet is still with me, a constant reminder of the difference we can make. Your gesture has touched my heart deeply, and I carry it with me every day.
If you’re reading this, dear Veteran, please understand that you’ve not only impacted my life with your kindness but also inspired a steadfast commitment in me to continue supporting our Veterans. Your note is a testament to the importance of being there for one another, and I hope to honor that through my actions every day.”
Young students in a classroom.
Order free education materials
Every year, Legion members work tirelessly to help educate youth in our communities about the importance of remembering and recognizing Canada’s Veterans and those who lost their lives in service. Veterans Affairs Canada offers a variety of free, bilingual educational resources that can help! Visit veterans.gc.ca/educators for activities, videos and lesson plans for students of all ages. You can also order free materials like poppy seeds, multimedia learning kits and historical sheets to support year-round learning. Special recognition cards can help young people connect with Veterans by saying thank you to those who served.
Check back in the fall for Veterans’ Week resources you can share with local schools and youth organizations!
Your membership can help you save
40,800 Legions members have saved a combined total of over $2.2 Million in savings through our MemberPerks program!
Win a $250 gift card to Lolë simply by reviewing this app and send us a screenshot at isaved@vengo.com.
Check out this latest offer, and many more! With MemberPerks®, you can shop online or in‑store at local and national stores and service providers and save $1000s every year. It’s a great way to support the Legion, local businesses, and your wallet.
Sign up for MemberPerks® today. It’s free with your Legion membership.
Learn more  ‣
Get updates to support your Branch activities
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Are you actively involved in supporting Branch operations, campaigns, administrative tasks, committee work, or other similar roles? Our monthly Legion Branch Dispatch shares important information to support Branch activities.
Check out the June 2024 edition
In this edition:
• Introducing the Legion’s EDI committee
• Upper Canada WILLS loyalty program gives back to Legion Branches
• Minutes from the Dominion Executive Council meeting
• Poppy Manual updates
• Chance for your Branch to win one of five $1,000 gift cards
• and more!
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Working together to serve Canada’s Veterans.
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Two more new Hildebrand Fellows; past Fellow joins U of Alberta Law faculty

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An item from a fellow Canadian organization in the Bay Area.

Canadian Studies Announcements

In This Issue:

Program News

  • Eid Mubarak from Canadian Studies!
  • Two more new Hildebrand Fellows to travel to Canada this summer:
  • Andrew Zhao explores role of Chinatown family associations in immigrant integration
  • Allison Evans investigates growth of homeless encampments in semi-rural Ontario
  • Former Hildebrand Fellow Caylee Hong appointed professor at University of Alberta Law School

External Events

  • DML Canada Day Picnic
  • Friends of Canada at SF Pride

Eid Mubarak from Canadian Studies!

Canadian Studies wishes a joyful Eid to our Muslim friends around the world. Eid al-Adha is the second of the two main Islamic holidays, and coincides with the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. It honors the patriarch Abraham’s obedience to God when ordered to sacrifice his son, Ishmael. Nearly 2 million Canadian Muslims will join in the celebrations, which traditionally center on each family slaughtering a lamb or goat to share with the community.

Image from Starline on Freepik.

PROGRAM NEWS
Two More Hildebrand Fellows to Travel to Canada This Summer

The Canadian Studies Program is pleased to announce two additional recipients of our Edward E. Hildebrand Graduate Research Fellowship for Summer 2024.

Andrew Zhao is a PhD student in the Department of Political Science studying identity politics and immigration.

Andrew’s Hildebrand Fellowship will support a project exploring the role of Chinatown family associations in either helping or hindering integration in early Canadian Chinatowns. These organizations aided Chinese immigrants in the face of exclusion and violence, with idiosyncratic membership criteria based on surname. Through conducting interviews and visiting field sites, Andrew hopes to learn more about the role of these associations in the lives of early Chinese immigrants to Canada.

Andrew holds a BA in political science and philosophy from the University of Toronto, where he received the Suzanne and Edwin Goodman Prize as the top graduating student in the political science specialization. Before coming to Berkeley, he worked in in public opinion research for several years.

Allison Evans is a PhD student in the Department of City & Regional Planning and a previous Hildebrand Fellowship recipient. Her current research focuses on the recent proliferation of tent encampments in semi-rural areas of Ontario. Most tent encampment research is conducted in major urban areas, with many studies emanating from cities on the US West Coast. Allison’s research aims to shed light on the emergent housing struggles in smaller towns and cities.

Allison’s fellowship will fund her travel to Ontario to conduct preliminary fieldwork for her dissertation. She will explore the mechanisms contributing to encampment formation in in-between places, and highlight new modes of governance emerging in response. Allison aims to contribute to recent debates in urban and rural theory, and to bridge the divide between urban and rural homelessness research.

Allison holds a BES and MES in planning from York University in Toronto, where she researched various housing-related topics, including two peer-reviewed articles about the political economy of student housing and state ambiguities around tent encampments in Toronto.

Former Hildebrand Fellow Caylee Hong Appointed Professor at University of Alberta Law School

Canadian Studies is proud to announce that former Hildebrand Fellow Caylee Hong has been appointed an assistant professor at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law, effective July 1, 2025.

Caylee is a PhD candidate in socio-cultural anthropology. Her dissertation explores the long-term impacts of urban oil operations. The Canadian Studies Program funded her to travel to Alberta and British Columbia in 2021, to conduct research on abandoned oil wells. Her research on the afterlives of “orphan” wells received the 2024 Graduate Student Paper Prize from Berkeley’s Center for the Study of Law and Society.

Caylee holds an LLM from the SOAS University of London, an LLB and BCL from McGill University, and a BA from University College Utrecht. She previously clerked for the Federal Court of Canada, and worked as an attorney in New York. Please join us in congratulation Caylee on her new position!

EXTERNAL EVENTS

DML Canada Day Picnic

Sat., June 29 | 11:00 am | San Mateo, CA | RSVP

Celebrate Canada’s 157th birthday at the DML’s annual Canada Day Picnic. Enjoy a family-friendly afternoon of games and activities for all ages and a delicious BBQ. Meet new #sfbaycanadians and reconnect with old friends as we embrace our heritage and celebrate with patriotic pride. Remember to wear your red & white Canada gear, Alum colors or support your favorite Canadian sports team. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy open space and Bay views.

Friends of Canada at SF Pride

Sun., June 30 | 11:00 am | San Francisco, CA | RSVP

 

The Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco cordially invites Canadians and friends of Canada in the San Francisco Bay Area to march with them in the 54th annual San Francisco Pride Parade. All are welcome to join with friends and family to celebrate diversity and to support the 2SLGBTQI+ members of our communities in California, at home in Canada, and abroad.

The assembly location and time will be announced approximately one week prior to the parade. Please register via Eventbrite to receive updates We hope to see you there!

Canadian Studies Program

213 Philosophy Hall #2308

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Canadian Studies Program | Univ. of California, Berkeley 213 Philosophy Hall #2308 | Berkeley, CA 94720 US