Yesterday members of the branch joined staff from the Canadian Consulate in San Francisco and others involved in ex-pat Canadian communities in the Bay Area for the formal presentation of the King Charles III Coronation Medal to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 President, Michael Barbour, by Consul General Rana Sakar.  Comrade Barbour had been nominated by the Branch 25 executive, and was one of the recipients of the medal allocation to the Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion.

The King Charles III Coronation Medal was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, which took place on May 6, 2023, to recognize 30,000 Canadians who have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region of, or community in, Canada, or attained an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.

In their nomination, the executive wrote that since joining the branch in 2016, Comrade Barbour led the charge in rehabilitating and caring for one of the two Legion plots that Branch 25 is responsible for. He engaged with local schools for remembrance education, and strengthened ties with the Canadian Consulate and other Canadian organizations. Comrade Barbour also led the branch’s efforts to re-engaged with the Western US Zone after years of inactivity, going on to serve in several Zone leadership roles. He has also held time intensive leadership roles in our branch. For example, as Poppy Chair he expanded distribution by building relationships with Canadian organizations and businesses throughout the Bay Area. Comrade Barbour reinstated the branch’s newsletter, modernized its website, and has sought to preserve historical artifacts often lost in attics and garages when our members pass away. During the pandemic, Comrade Barbour’s technological expertise proved invaluable. He organized virtual remembrance services, allowing distant members to participate and increasing our visibility in the expatriate community. As the current President, Comrade Barbour continues to innovate, implementing hybrid meeting formats and continuing to stream in-person services.  His dedication has breathed new life into the branch, maintaining an active presence in veteran commemorations throughout the Bay Area and raising awareness of Canadian veterans among the local Canadian diaspora and the broader Commonwealth.

Following the presentation, members of the Branch came together at the Wayfare Tavern for lunch and to present some Branch awards hat had been delayed due to the Canada Post strike at the end of 2024, including the Lifetime Member plagues for Comrades Edmondson and Krieger and the Meritorious Service Medal plaque for Comrade Barbour.