An item from Dominion Command.

Legion Debrief. News, updates and announcements for Legion Members. Visit member services.

July 2024

It’s been a busy month for Legion Branches

The summer has only just begun, and already, Branches across Canada are bustling with activities to honour our Veterans. From preserving century‑old legacies to promoting the invaluable work of the Legion to future generations, our members’ commitment to remembering and supporting those who served is as strong as ever.

Join us in celebrating and contributing to these meaningful efforts all year round. Find your local Branch to see upcoming events and opportunities.

Young members of The Royal Newfoundland Regiment and Canadian Armed Forces acting as pallbearers, carrying the remains of the Unknown Newfoundland Soldier.

The Unknown Soldier, Newfoundland’s Son, is now home

On July 1, Memorial Day in Newfoundland, the remains of an unknown Newfoundland soldier were laid to rest at the Newfoundland National War Memorial site. These remains were recently returned to Canadian soil after more than 100 years through a project spearheaded by The Royal Canadian Legion’s Newfoundland and Labrador Command. The emotional ceremony was a poignant moment of recognition and Remembrance for the sacrifice of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who served, some of whom remain unknown and are resting elsewhere in the world.

If you didn’t get the chance to watch the interment live, you can find full ceremony coverage here.

Learn more about Newfoundland and Labrador Command’s repatriation project here.

Legion branded care packages alongside some of the items inside including a box of maple cookies and two travel mugs.

A gift from home for our troops serving abroad

We are proud to announce that this year’s Operation Canada Day was once again a major success! Your generous Poppy Campaign donations allowed us to send 3,000 care packages to deployed Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP members through the Canadian Forces Morale & Welfare Services initiative. We hope our troops enjoyed the treats!

People celebrating July 1st at a Legion Branch, dancing and dressed in Canada Day fashion.

Celebration from coast to coast to coast

Legion Branches across the country held special July 1^st celebrations this year, inviting their communities in for events like breakfasts and barbeques. Sportsnet 590 The FAN’s Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning even broadcast their morning show live from the patio of Branch 344, overlooking Lake Ontario. Not only did they promote our July 1^st events throughout the show, but they also helped us educate Canadians with facts about the Legion!

Read more ‣

A long overdue amendment

After more than 100 years, Almonte, Ontario’s forgotten soldier, Private George B. Monterville, has had his name etched back into history.

When Almonte Legion Parade Marshall MWO. Michael Wiggins noticed Monterville’s name had not been included when the memorial was built, he reached out to the Grade 6 class at R. Tait McKenzie Public School to take on a real‑life learning project. After months of campaigning by the students, the name was recently added to a local cenotaph in a re‑dedication ceremony. Now, this November 11 and every Remembrance Day in the future, Monterville’s name will be read aloud along with all the others from Almonte who gave their lives for Canada.

“The injustice of not hearing George’s name every year for the past 101 years has been righted and that will carry on forever now,” said MWO. Wiggins.

Read more ‣

A Labrador Retriever wearing a service vest.

Pairing Veterans with PTSD service dogs

Great outcomes begin with great partnerships! Since 2018, Operation Service Dog has been in partnership with Legion Ontario Command and Wounded Warriors Canada. On June 20^th, Ontario Command presented a $500,000 cheque to the organization, which will greatly assist Veterans with access to service dogs in Ontario. To date, 61 Veterans have been paired with service dogs, and another 27 dogs are in training through this amazing program.

“It is the hope of the Branches and Ladies’ Auxiliaries of The Royal Canadian Legion, Ontario Command that each service dog paired with a Veteran improves their quality of life. This donation of a half million dollars will continue making that happen,” said Ontario Provincial President, Derek Moore.

Learn more about Operation Service Dog ‣

Afghanistan War Veteran Kyle Scott, centre, presents the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal and a NATO Bar to veteran Wayne Inkpen. On the right is Kyle’s father, Brian, navy veteran and the president of the Whitecourt, Alta., Legion.

Get help receiving or replacing military commendations

If you or a Veteran you love are owed an honour or award for service, have lost one that you previously received or need one replaced due to damage, Afghanistan War Veteran Kyle Scott is here to help. For several years, he has worked with Veterans and their families to get owed or replacement awards from the Department of National Defense and the Governor General’s Office.

As a child, Kyle learned through his grandfather, also a Veteran, about the respect military medals deserve. He saw how much these awards meant to his grandfather as a symbol of surviving hardship, dedication and decades of service. Now a Veteran himself, Kyle fully understands the meaning behind the medals – a meaning that has driven his commitment to helping other Veterans across Canada receive the honours they deserve.

To date, Kyle has assisted over 1,600 Veterans and families in retrieving their awards, and he hopes to help many more in the future.

If you or someone you know could benefit from Kyle’s assistance, email him at sapperkyle.scott@gmail.com or follow Canadian Veterans: Owed or Missing Medals on Facebook for more information.

Your membership can help you save

41,100 Legions members have saved a combined total of over $2.3 Million in savings through our MemberPerks program!

EMBARK ON YOUR DREAM ADVENTURE with our exclusive travel contest! Win a $250 gift card for Via Rail and create memories that will last forever. Mark your favourite travel perk on the desktop platform throughout the month of August for a chance to win! legion.venngo.com MemberPerks is available as Venngo on the App Store or PlayStore or use your company's Venngo url to access on the browser.

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.

Learn more ‣

Get updates to support your Branch activities

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 July 2024 edition

In this edition:

•	Congratulations to the winning Branches of the $1000 prepaid credit cards
•	Information for Dominion Convention Delegates and Observers

•	Study volunteers needed: Women Veterans experiencing homelessness
•	Your Legion calendar
•	and more!

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An item from the Legion Magazine.

Major-General Jennie Carignan, NATO Mission Iraq commander, and British Major-General Gerald Strickland, a deputy commander with Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, consult with quick reaction force troops at Camp Taji, Iraq, on Feb. 7, 2020. (SPC. CAROLINE SCHOFER/U.S. ARMY)

First female defence chief faces daunting challenges

STORY BY STEPHEN J. THORNE

Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan, a 35-year military veteran who headed the forces’ topical professional conduct and culture directorate, has been named the first woman to serve as Canada’s chief of the defence staff.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement July 3, congratulating Carignan and saying “her exceptional leadership qualities, commitment to excellence, and dedication to service have been a tremendous asset” to the forces.

“I am confident that, as Canada’s new Chief of the Defence Staff, she will help Canada be stronger, more secure, and ready to tackle global security challenges.”

CANADA AND THE SCHELDT CAMPAIGN: The necessary victory

Blast cloud from Bedford Magazine Explosion.(WIKIMEDIA)

The second Halifax explosion

STORY BY ALEX BOWERS

The date wasn’t Dec. 6, 1917, but rather July 18, 1945.

The location broadly remained the same, although the circumstances were markedly different. Nevertheless, a degree of hubris could be attributed to both.

Back on that cold and unforgiving winter day, with the First World War having reached a fiery crescendo overseas, two vessels collided in Halifax Harbour. One, a heavily laden munitions ship, became the epicentre for the largest humanmade explosion before the atomic bomb detonations in Japan.