Legion’s presence

Has the Royal Canadian Legion outlived its purpose? Is it still relevant to the broader community beyond a few days in November?

Formed in 1925 as a means to unify more than two dozen veteran’s groups after the first world war, the Legion became a vitally important and deeply integrated part of the fabric of this nation.

From Baddeck to Cornwall, from Kenora to Moose Jaw, from Ponoka to Prince George, Legion halls were established as much-needed gathering places for returning military men and women. They looked after each other. They looked after their communities.

For nearly 90 years, communities have been coming together at Legion halls to celebrate, to honour and to mourn. It is where we go to share in the happiness of the newly wedded couple and those still together after 50 years. Legions are where we go to say goodbye to friends and neighbours. It is where we gather each November to remember the sacrifices others have made for this nation.

It is Legion week across Ontario. And as the organization approaches its 90th anniversary—some within the organization are beginning to ask the tough question: Is the Legion still relevant? Will it be in another decade?

On the ground, the Legion is a volunteer- driven organization whose membership is aging. More than 80 per cent of Legion members are aged 65 or older. More than a fifth are over 80. Younger military people simply aren’t joining the Legion in sufficient numbers to sustain membership.

“The reality is that the Legion is greying,” says Roger Riendeau, president of Wellington Branch 160. “Furthermore, it is an organization that is resistant to change.”

But he and others insist it must change. And soon.

After the Legion’s 45th Dominion Convention in June, membership chairs Tom Irvine and David Flannigan released an open letter with an urgent warning for Legions across the country.

“Comrades we must start to change our attitude if we are to survive,” writes Irvine and Flanagan. “The world is changing and we must adapt or we face a very bleak future.”

They warn that Legion branches that operate as private clubs are destined to fade away. Irvine and Flannigan say this attitude must change, that Legion branches must reach out to their communities “to make every Legion branch a welcoming, inclusive, vibrant cornerstone of the community.”

Riendeau says the Wellington branch has been more successful than most in making this transition, due in large part to the growth of Wellington on the Lake.

“They see the Legion as a way of participating and helping out in the community,” says Riendeau. “That has benefitted the organization greatly in recent years.”

For its part the Legion has invested in facilities to improve accessibility, upgrade decor and provide a welcoming atmosphere. It is continuing to do so.

The Legion is a community centre,” says Riendeau. “It is not an exclusive club. Its prospects for surviving and thriving depend on those who are not Legion members currently seeing a role for this organization in this community and every community across Canada.”

Riendeau passionately believes in an ongoing role for the Legion, which is why he is fervent about ensuring the organization evolves and adapts to the communities around it.

“While always promoting Remembrance of the sacrifices and contributions of those who served their country and assisting the few remaining veterans and their families, the Wellington Legion must work together with other service organizations, such as the Lions Club, the Rotary Club, and the Elks Lodge, to address the specific social and educational needs of the community,” says Riendeau. “The Wellington Legion has the advantage of a long established home base—a building with a dining and meeting hall and kitchen and bar facilities—accessible to all members of the community, regardless of their affiliation with the Legion.”

“The Wellington Legion is a community resource in both its physical presence at the corner of Main and Cleminson Streets and its human capacity to mobilize people to serve the community in so many ways.”

The Royal Canadian Legion has difficult years ahead. Yet there is path forward. The Wellington Legion has taken tentative first steps in the right direction. Will others follow?

rick@wellingtontimes.ca