Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
The Royal Canadian Legion asks that all Legion Branches fly the Canadian flag and Legion flags at half-mast until sunset on the day of the funeral (to be announced).
More detailed instructions on protocols during this time of national mourning will be released in the coming days.
Working together to serve Canada’s Veterans
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Another item from Dominion Command that may be of interest to members.
See how we’re honouring Canada’s Veterans.
July 2022
Your membership makes a difference
Summer is in full swing, and so too is the Legion in honouring those who served. As a Legion member, you help fund important initiatives that allow us to recognize and give back to Canada’s military community, whether they’re currently serving or are enjoying their retirement from service.
If you’d like to give back even more, consider visiting your local Branch to find opportunities to get involved in your community!
The Legion wishes our deployed troops a Happy Canada Day
Earlier this month, The Royal Canadian Legion helped launch Operation Canada Day, an initiative of Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services. Almost 3,000 gifts were sent to deployed troops to help celebrate Canada Day, along with a message of well wishes from the Legion.
The Legion marked Indigenous History Month
The Legion recognized National Indigenous History Month by sharing how Indigenous traditions percolate through the organization today, how they are shaping the future, and how a historic law affected Aboriginal comrades and the Legion.
“…we recognize that complete societal and organizational healing and change can take a long time and there is a lot of work to do,” says Legion Dominion President Bruce Julian. “I can assure you that our Indigenous comrades and their customs form an integral part of our organization’s fabric today, and we are constantly looking at what we can do better to recognize their history and support a positive future.”
The 44th Royal Canadian Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships will be held from August 5–7, 2022 in Sherbrooke, Quebec.
This one-of-a-kind event for youth aged 12–17 is an important aspect of the Legion’s commitment to the development of Canada’s youth. These championships give young Canadians the opportunity to compete, build confidence, and develop leadership skills.
Support Canada’s young athletes and spread the word within your communities!
You can own a Canadian flag that flew above Canada’s D-Day landing beach while helping support the Juno Beach Centre!
For a minimum of $500, you can sponsor a flag that will fly at the Juno Beach Centre in France, to be returned to you with a certificate of authenticity and the dates when it was flown. What a beautiful way to honour those who landed on the beach 78 years ago.
August 19 marks the 80th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, one of the most devastating and bloody chapters in Canadian military history. This past June, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 60 in Burlington celebrated one of its members, 104-year-old Douglas Ross Rickard. Douglas is believed to be the last Canadian survivor of the Dieppe Raid during the Second World War.
Know a Legion member who’s making a difference? Send us your story at marketing@legion.ca.
Pocketpills – Our newest Member Benefits Partner
The Royal Canadian Legion’s Member Benefits Program rewards members with money-saving offers and deals from program participants across Canada.
Our newest partner, Pocketpills, brings the pharmacy to you! Through their easy-to-use app and website, you can fill prescriptions, order vitamins, and consult with pharmacists—all from the comfort of home. The service is free. Sign up for Pocketpills today by calling 1-855-950-7225 and mention that you are a Legion member for exclusive benefits.
Register for the Canada Army Run in-person or virtual race!
The Legion is proud to sponsor the Canada Army Run and bring Remembrance Row back on-course, showcasing photographs of Veterans who have passed as a way to honour loved ones that served.
Registration is open for both in-person and virtual participation. Legion members can join “The Legion” team and use promotion code LEGIONFRIENDS for a 20% discount.
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.
The following is brought to you by our partners, highlighting special offers and other information.
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada’s supports Legion Nationals
The Royal Canadian Legion is extremely grateful for The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada’s support of the 2022 Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships and their commitment to Canada’s youth!
As a member of The Royal Canadian Legion, you receive emails from Legion National Headquarters for the purposes of managing your Legion membership. Members may manage their email preferences below. You may withdraw your consent to receive administrative emails from The Royal Canadian Legion National Headquarters by contacting the Member Services Department. The Royal Canadian Legion may be unable to process your membership without your consent to receive administrative emails.
To update your member contact information please login to the Member Services Website, or contact the Member Services Department.
Our contact information is:
The Royal Canadian Legion National Headquarters
Member Services Department
86 Aird Place
Ottawa, ON K2L 0A1
Canada
On the Poppy’s 100th year as a symbol of Remembrance, the Royal Canadian Mint / Monnaie royale canadienne is offering this wreath to honour those who have served our country and those who continue to help advance peace around the world.
Theirs is a legacy of great trials and sacrifice, but also of hope and heroism. We will never forget their bravery, and with this wreath of forget-me-nots and red poppies, we gratefully acknowledge their service while honouring the memory of the fallen.
À l’occasion du 100e anniversaire du coquelicot du Souvenir, Royal Canadian Mint / Monnaie royale canadienne vous offrons cette couronne pour rendre hommage à ceux qui ont servi le Canada et qui continuent à œuvrer pour la paix dans le monde.
Ils laissent derrière eux un héritage fait de grandes épreuves et de sacrifices, mais aussi d’espoir et d’héroïsme : jamais leur bravoure ne sera oubliée. Par cette couronne de myosotis et de coquelicots rouges, nous soulignons leur service et honorons la mémoire de ceux qui sont tombés au combat.
2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the iconic Poppy symbol of Remembrance
OTTAWA, ON, 6 July 2021 – One hundred years today, the precursor to The Royal Canadian Legion officially recognized the Poppy as Canada’s lasting symbol of Remembrance. A century later, the Legion is commemorating this historic milestone.
“We are proud to be the safekeepers of this special symbol, brought to us by a visionary woman,” says Dominion President Thomas D. Irvine, CD. “Every time I see a Poppy I think of our fallen, and I thank them for their sacrifices.”
The idea for the Remembrance Poppy in Canada was conceived by Madame Anna Guérin of France. She was inspired by John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields.” Anna had originally founded a charity to help rebuild regions of France torn apart by the First World War, and created poppies made of fabric to raise funds.
Later, Anna presented her concept to France’s allies, including the precursor to The Royal Canadian Legion, The Great War Veterans Association. The idea was considered at a meeting in Port Arthur, Ontario (now Thunder Bay) and was adopted on July 6, 1921.
The Legion’s “Poppy 100” tributes this year include:
The release of an inspiring video that explains the history of the Poppy as Canada’s symbol of Remembrance.
The creation of a unique commemorative stamp by Canada Post slated for release this fall.
The creation of a unique commemorative coin by The Royal Canadian Mint for release this year.
The special lighting of several Canadian landmarks to mark the anniversary on July 6, 2021 including BC Place, the Vancouver Convention Centre and Olympic Cauldron, the West Edmonton Mall, the Calgary Tower, the Regina City Hall foyer, Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, the City of Toronto downtown sign, and the Champlain Bridge.
A commemorative program led by Legion representatives in Port Arthur, ON (now Thunder Bay), where the Poppy symbol was officially adopted in 1921.
Visit Legion.ca to learn more about the history of the Poppy.
“The Poppy is central to everything we do, and will always remain a powerful symbol in Canada,” says Angus Stanfield, Dominion Vice President and Chair of the Poppy and Remembrance committee. “When people donate to the National Poppy Campaign each November, and proudly display the Poppy on their lapel, they are reflecting their heartfelt thanks for our Veterans.”
Donations collected across the country each November during the Legion’s National Poppy Campaign go into dedicated Poppy Trust Funds and are used solely to support Veterans and their families.
An update from Dominion Command from earlier today.
Message from the Dominion President
Important message from the Dominion President
June 30, 2021
Dear Comrades,
My recent directive to lower Legion flags allowed us to come together and express our feelings of sorrow after devastating discoveries near former residential schools for First Nations children in Canada. I thank you for your reverence.
As of sunset today, the Legion’s half-mast period will end, and flags may be hoisted to full staff once again. While our official period of mourning is coming to a close, our collective thoughts and prayers for our First Nations comrades will continue always.
The memories of those lost will never be forgotten.
Tom
Thomas D. Irvine, CD
Dominion President
Working together to serve Canada’s Veterans
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The Royal Canadian Legion National Headquarters
Member Services Department
86 Aird Place
Ottawa, ON K2L 0A1
Canada
Toll free: 855‑330‑3344
E-mail:membership@legion.ca
Royal Canadian Legion, US Branch #25 