For almost seven decades the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 211 has remained a constant amidst the changing City of Cold Lake.
It was eight years before CFB 4 Wing was even established, in September 1946 that the charter for the Cold Lake Legion officially came through – just ten years after Canada's first Legion was founded.
“It was retired military (that started the first Legion). After they came home from the First World War and they saw the kind of support that the guys coming home needed, so they got together and they started a group that spread across the country,” explained Todd Rorke, President of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 211.
Since the beginning, the Legion has remained steady in their mission to help serving and non-serving military members and groups within their own community.
“That's mainly what our job is, we're the 'guardians of remembrance,'” said Rorke. “With the military members, we do whatever we can. Our service officer helps them with their veterans affairs claims, we're sort of the go between with the member and veterans affairs.”
Rorke added, “The military guys need to know that the public's actually behind them and that they have a place to go if they run into trouble of any sort. They know they can go to their local branch and get help with whatever they need.'
The Legion's role is especially important when it comes to retired military members. While the base can offer some support for those currently serving, Rorke noted that once they leave the military these ex-servicemen have nowhere to turn to.
“They can't just go back to the base and say 'I'm in trouble', so the branches are there and that's our main purpose.”
Over the years, their work has transitioned to supporting non-military groups within the community as well. Specifically, the Cold Lake branch donates to the seniors and youth groups within the city.
“For the seniors groups, basically, there are the lodges. Whenever they need equipment or anything like that we're not restricted to what type of equipment we buy for them. We get them entertainment equipment, medical equipment...the list is pretty endless to what they could ask for,” Rorke said, adding that they give to both ends of the age spectrum.
“We do the same with the youth groups; we make donations on a yearly basis and then they, in turn, buy whatever they need to keep that group going.”
They haven't always done it alone, though. In 1947, a year after the Legion Br. 211 received its charter, the Ladies Auxiliary (LA) was formed. At the time, only men were eligible to obtain a Legion membership. The LA presented away for the women to be active in military affairs in their local community as well. Numbers for the local LA are continually dwindling with no new ladies joining, but in their prime the group was an integral part of the Legion's operations.
“They went out within the community and made lunches and served meals and looked after the seniors with meals long before Meals on Wheels came out. They were very strong. Any functions at the Legions they would put snacks out and hold bake sales and bring in event more money to the branch through sales, raffles and craft shows – they were very good at that,” Rorke reminisced.
The biggest change that Legions across the country have seen since their inception is the significant decline in memberships. In Cold Lake, the Legion that was once 1,500 strong or more has dropped down to 514 at last count within the past 25 years. Of those, about one-third are long distance members that have moved away.
“Maybe younger people just aren't interested in joining the group style, but if they could only understand what the Legion actually does, not only for the military but also for our senior and our youth groups,” Rorke expressed.
In order to boost memberships and keep doors open for Legions across the country, the Royal Canadian Legion started allowing civilians to become members. For the Cold Lake branch, their membership is comprised of serving and non-serving military members, a significant number of associate members (those with military members in their family), and affiliate members (those with no military ties).
Rorke explained that their struggle isn't so much getting members, as he'd be content with at least 600, but finding active members.
“We've got well over 300 members that actually live in this city but I only see about 40 on a weekly or monthly basis,” he said. “What I need more of is not just people buying their membership and then coming in at Remembrance Day to pay for next year. We'd like to see more and more people come out to help at the branch, we're always in need of volunteers.”
He's not expecting the Legion to return to its earlier days with 1,500 members, but Rorke's hoping their numbers will go up. While he's not worried about the Legion folding, without members and volunteers they won't be able to be as strong of a presence as they'd like to be in the community.
“All they have to do is pop into the Legion and come and see a lot of our brochures. There are quite a few national companies that give Legion members discounts just because they're a member. There are some benefits to holding a Legion membership other than just being at the branch,” said Rorke, stressing that it's important to make the commitment to become an active member and volunteer with the branch.
In addition to an increased membership level the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion has a few goals that they're working on, including getting more in the public eye and doing more within the community.
“We're trying to do more functions with the branch, like a sports afternoon and challenging some of the other branches; just trying to get the public more involved and see what we're actually doing. We had a horseshoe tournament in the summer and it was really well received,” said Rorke.
As they look towards the future and what the next 70 years could bring to the Cold Lake Legion, there's no doubt that Br. 211 will remain a steadfast part of the city for years to come.
The Royal Canadian Legion Br. 211 will be holding their annual Remembrance Day ceremonies tomorrow at the Cold Lake Energy Centre. Guests are asked to be seated by 10:15 a.m., the troops with be marching in at 10:30 a.m.
