A day to celebrate

Century of service celebrated at Wellington Legion

For a century, the Royal Canadian Legion has been a steadfast source of support for Canada’s Veterans, a guardian of remembrance and a cornerstone of communities from coast to coast.

That remarkable legacy was celebrated Friday as members of Wellington Legion Branch 160 gathered with residents, dignitaries and guests to mark the organization’s 100th anniversary.

The centennial recognizes 100 years since the Royal Canadian Legion was officially incorporated by an Act of Parliament on July 17, 1926. Formed from the merger of several veterans’ organizations following the First World War, the Legion has spent the past century advocating for Veterans and their families while ensuring the sacrifices of Canada’s servicemen and women are never forgotten.

Visitors to Branch 160, founded in 1929, were invited to walk through the branch’s history. Photo albums, newspaper clippings, military artifacts and memorabilia collected over the decades were displayed throughout the Legion, offering a glimpse into nearly a century of service and community involvement. The exhibits highlighted not only generations of local Veterans but also the volunteers whose dedication has kept the branch thriving.

The celebration also left a permanent addition to Wellington’s streetscape with the unveiling of a new Heritage Bench in front of the Legion.

Sponsored jointly by Branch 160 and the Wellington Community Association, the bench was designed and built by woodworkers Roy Perkin and Doug Smith—known affectionately by WCA member Peta Hall as “the Wellington on the Lake boys”—before being transformed into a work of public art by local artist Jacqui Burley. Featuring vibrant poppies and imagery honouring Canada’s Veterans, the bench now stands as a lasting tribute to those who served and to the Legion’s enduring place in the community.

Burley, who spent many years as caretaker at Loch Sloy, now Base31, said the stories she heard from Veterans over the years inspired the final design.

Today, with more than 1,300 branches in Canada and abroad, the Royal Canadian Legion remains the country’s largest Veteran support and community service organization. While its role has evolved to meet the changing needs of Veterans, its mission has remained constant: serving Veterans, promoting remembrance and strengthening communities.

Those values have long been reflected in Wellington. Branch 160 has become far more than a meeting place, hosting Remembrance Day ceremonies, supporting local charities, youth organizations and minor sports, providing a gathering place for Veterans and residents alike, and contributing thousands of volunteer hours to community initiatives. It has become a symbol of service, fellowship and civic pride.

Addressing those in attendance, Councillor Corey Engelsdorfer said the centennial was an opportunity not only to celebrate the Legion’s history but also to recognize the volunteers who continue to carry its mission forward.

“Here in Wellington, Branch 160 has been at the heart of our community since 1929. While we know the Legion as the home of Remembrance, it is so much more than that. It is a place where veterans and their families find support, where neighbours come together, and where volunteers quietly make a difference every single day,” he said.

Engelsdorfer said the anniversary also held special personal meaning.

“My grandfather served as president of the Wellington Legion in 1991,” he said. “Because of that, this branch has always held a special place in my heart. I grew up seeing firsthand the dedication of Legion members and the incredible amount of volunteer work they do for our community.”

Branch 160 President Buck Buchanan reflected on the branch’s early beginnings, noting that the Legion was established in Wellington in 1929 but did not always have a permanent home.

“The records we have found show that in the early 1930s, meetings were held in the village core, usually in a veteran’s living room,” he said.

For Buchanan, the centennial was as much about celebrating today’s volunteers as it was about honouring the past.

“The members of Branch 160 give back in countless ways. They support our hospital, hospice, schools, youth organizations, first responders, seniors, minor sports, food programs and local charities,” he said. “They host community events, provide a welcoming gathering place, and ensure that the values of service and compassion remain strong in Wellington.”

As the Legion enters its second century, the celebration served as a reminder that while generations have changed, the commitment to service, remembrance and community in the village remains as strong as ever.