This story is a part of Branch 25’s on-going National Legion Week campaign.

Founded in 1999, the Digital Moose Lounge is the San Francisco Bay Area’s longest-standing expat community for Canadians.

As Canadian ex-pats in the Bay Area, the Digital Moose Lounge is grateful for the partnership and mutual support of Branch 25 of the Royal Canadian Legion. The Royal Canadian Legion represents community leaders who embody fellowship and service. The Legion’s work helps us stay connected to our roots and honor our veterans.

The Digital Moose Lounge shares in many events, from our Canada Day Picnic to our special Canadian Thanksgiving in October. We are grateful to have members representing Branch 25 in full uniform, supplying us with poppies and stories so we may honor and never forget the spirit of remembrance and solidarity.

Thank you, Branch 25, and Congratulations on celebrating National Legion Week.

Digital Moose Lounge Board
Sarah Price – Chair

This story is a part of Branch 25’s on-going National Legion Week campaign.

I have had the privilege of collaborating with U.S. Branch 25 of the Royal Canadian Legion throughout my tenure as Consul General of Canada in Northern California.

From their engagement with local schools to the annual poppy campaign, Branch 25 plays a vital role in championing and organizing activities honoring Canadian veterans. The Branch has maintained and expanded the strong Canadian presence in veteran commemorations throughout the Bay Area, increasing the recognition of Canadian veterans among the local community and Canadian diaspora.

Their efforts foster a deeper understanding of our shared history and reinforce the enduring ties between our two nations.

During National Legion Week, I am deeply honoured to recognize the leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment of Royal Canadian Legion, U.S. Branch 25 to increasing recognition of the contributions of Canadian and allied veterans in the Bay Area and Northern California.

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Rana Sarkar, Consul General of Canada in San Francisco, United States

This story is a part of Branch 25’s on-going National Legion Week campaign.

The Royal Canadian Legion’s mission is to support Veterans, promote Remembrance and strengthen communities. As part of our commitment to our communities, the Legion is involved in developing youth leadership at the local and national level. Youth play a crucial role in the growth of our communities and in continuing the tradition of Remembrance. The Royal Canadian Legion has a long and valued partnership with Cadets. Cadets engage in varied and unique experiences and develop competencies in leadership, citizenship, and physical and mental fitness. Cadets support our Veterans and take active roles in commemorative ceremonies. These youth play a significant role in supporting Legion activities and promoting Remembrance. In return, Legion Branches assist corps, squadrons and patrols in various ways that add to the success of the programs.

Branch 25 (San Francisco) of the Royal Canadian Legion has sponsored the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) – Arkansas Division since 1991. Each year as a part of their annual inspection, the Branch presents a Sea Cadet with the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence.  Additionally, Sea Cadets from Arkansas Division participate in each of the services the Branch hosts by performing as the Colour Guard, reading poems and other passages, placing a ceremonial wreath, and a variety of other activities.

In their own words…

SN Oscar Mellet – The fact that we are sponsored by a branch of Royal Canadian Legion veterans, means a lot to me, especially for the honor guard events that we do. The ones that we do at the cemetery give me a lot of color guard experience and we get to honor those that made sacrifices for the world we live in today. I’m proud to do it.

SN Justin Mostasisa – For me, it gives me an opportunity to acknowledge that the U.S. isn’t the only ally that helped maintain a free society. It’s acknowledging that the U.S. isn’t the only country that has a military, and all of our allies contribute to the freedoms we enjoy, especially with Canada, we have an opportunity to really honor our partnerships with a nation that has supported us in all major conflicts. And to be the only U.S. Naval Sea Cadet branch sponsored by a Royal Canadian Legion, really, it shows how, you know, as Sea Cadets can not only represent the U.S, but represent and honor other countries in the world that have militaries that make sacrifices for the betterment of the world, and we can honor those that served.

SA Mackenzie Mikulich – The events we do for the Royal Canadian Legion definitely are super important. 
It gives me the opportunity to represent those that have come before me and makes me a better person. It gives me opportunities, to not only grow, but understand that there are other people in counties other than the U.S. that make sacrifices for the rest of the world. Before my involvement in these events, I had no idea of all the wars Canada had fought in and how much they support the U.S. It’s just a really great honor to know, acknowledge, and honor that. 
 The events also have provided us with challenges like Color Guard where we are learning how to adapt on the fly, which has made me very adaptable in that way.

PO3 Xavier Mendoza – I think it’s interesting because as U.S. citizens, we usually think of the United States having veterans groups like the Veterans of Foreign Wars or American Legion, and the Royal Canadian Legion is similar, but Canadian. The Royal Canadian Legion gives us a different take on world events, impacts, and provides us with different insights than what we might get from U.S. focused veteran’s organizations. And they come from they come from a country and a culture where their cadet programs are more supported by the community, so they have been supportive for us and it’s just really uplifting to be around them because they believe very strongly in the cadet programs. 
I’ve met a bunch of cool people from around the Bay Area and around Northern California, and I’ve just learned a lot of valuable skills from the ceremonies and got to do a lot of cool things that people normally don’t get to do.

Chief Olivia Keesor – I think the Royal Canadian Legion has really embraced us with their sense of community. I mean, they’ve brought a bunch of supporters and veterans together from different parts of the area and world, and we’ve been able to learn about different backgrounds a sacrifices, especially from ones not commonly understood by people from the U.S. I think it helps the rest of the cadets gain new perspectives on cultural differences and courtesies that are present in the militaries of other nations.