Among other notable events going on at Carman Legion Branch #18, having Elvis stop by for a BBQ has to rank right up there.
Well, a tribute Elvis, but certainly Elvis in spirit.
That event set for July 18 is just part of the legion’s milestone century mark celebrations.
Celebrating a century
The event I had reached out about was for the new Veterans Walk signage addition, but a recent conversation with Legion President Karen Maxwell covered far more territory.
Maxwell has a long history with the legion.
“Well, I started working there in 1986 for five years, and then I went on the executive in ‘93.” Maxwell shared. “So, I’ve been on the executive since ‘93, minus one year.
“My grandpa was in World War I, and I had three uncles in World War II. One of my uncles was 19 when he was killed overseas, and he’s still buried in Holland. We have no children, so I’ve kind of dedicated my life to the Legion, so that my family and I don’t forget the other people that fought for our freedom.”
Carman Legion 100 – photo Bev McLean, provided
Change is inevitable
In our ever-evolving world, that tenure has overlapped many changes, including for the legion.
Like many longstanding service organizations, younger people are unfortunately often notably absent.
“We’re just not getting the younger people signing up.” Maxwell noted. “They’re not really involved in it, to keep it going.”
Volunteers can also be difficult to engage.
“Even on the executive, we know some people have to take a couple of positions, because people just don’t want to volunteer for executive positions either.” Maxwell shared. “We don’t know what to do to get people involved.
“Some people think that we’re just a drinking club, and that’s all we do. But our main goal is not forgetting our veterans and their families. Then we’re very involved with the Poppy Campaign too.”
Fundraising needed to support veterans
The Poppy Campaign is critical in ongoing service provision for veterans, alongside other fundraising efforts.
“In the Poppy Campaign, we have the money for bursaries for children, grandchildren of veterans.” Maxwell explained. “Then we have scholarship now to the Carman Legion.
“You also have to be involved, or have a family member involved with the Legion, or a service person. We also have the post-literary contest as well that the poppy money goes towards. There’s a lot of artistic children out there. You don’t need to be a member of the branch for these children to enter.”
Carman Legion 100 – photo Bev McLean, provided
Service still vital for vets
With her personal connections to the legion, Maxwell is affected by the membership struggles.
“I’m getting emotional when I talk about people and our veterans.” Maxwell confessed. “We don’t have any World War II veterans left, with Carm Colivin, who was 105 when he passed away a couple of years ago. He was our last World War II veteran.
“We have peacekeepers and people that served in, I guess it would be peacetime, really. I think some people think now that because we don’t have these World War II veterans, that the Legion may not be needed as much. But their families are still here and they still need help with some things. There are homeless veterans in Winnipeg, and we try to assist them as much as we can too.”
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Despite the challenges, the legion is set to celebrate a century of service for veterans.
“It doesn’t seem like it’s real.” Maxwell admitted. “I was never in the old Legion, so I never really saw the old Legion. I just remember Howard Bennett had the Dufferin Leader office there at one time, the printing and stuff.
“But there’s been a few changes in those years. At one time, to become a member, you had to have a family member who had served, but now, that is not the case. If you do not have a family member who served, you can still join as an Affiliate member. Then in 1980, they opened it up to grandchildren of veterans, or spouses of associate members. So that’s a huge thing that they had done.”
Many changes on the horizon
More membership changes are planned.
“I think they’re allowing firefighters now to become ordinary members as well, and RCMP officers, of course.” Maxwell shared. “That’s one of the main things, just trying to make it so that more people are able to join.
“We have affiliate voting now, so anybody that doesn’t have anybody involved would have a chance to join the Legion too.”
The century mark has brought thoughtful shifts for the legion.
“We’ve opened it up this year because it’s our 100th.” Maxwell explained. “Dominion Command has opened it to have free memberships for new members.
“I think there’s thousands of people across Canada that have actually joined, and I think Carman has had like about 30 to 40 people join as new members. We’re just hoping that next year they will actually renew their memberships.”
One of the two notable events tied to the 100-year anniversary is coming up soon.
Elvis, The Memories poster
“This Saturday we’re having our Kickoff for 100th celebration. We’re having a rib supper and Elvis is coming.” Maxwell shared. “July 17th is actually the 100th anniversary of the Legion, I think itself.
“So different branches, they’re hosting different things on the 17th or 18th of July. We’re hosting a big celebration in the Carman Community Hall in December the 5th. We got our charter December the 6th, 1926 but it’s a Sunday, so we thought we’d do it on a Saturday night in the community hall, have entertainment, a skit and a supper, so hopefully we’ll get lots of people out to that and help celebrate with the members.”
Get involved for veterans
The celebration includes community participation.
“It’s called Don’t Forget To Remember, and it’s going to be like a poster board with little Post-Its.” Maxwell outlined. “People are encouraged to write a little message, whether just to thank a veteran or to post about somebody that you’ve had in the service.
“Then we’re going to post it on this board and we’re going to send it back to Ottawa. They’re going to somehow have it so everybody from across Canada is on one big wall or something after. We’re encouraging people when they come on the 18th to leave a little message for our veterans and their families.”
The signage is another nod to the century milestone.
“We wanted to do something to memorialize Veterans Walk as well, so that it’s 100 years old, like this building as well will be 100 years old, probably, or close to it anyways, that Memorial Hall building.” Maxwell explained.
“Maybe it’s older than that. I have to doublecheck, but I think it was built in1916, I think. I think it was after World War One, so I’m not 100% sure on the date of that.”
Mark your calendar
Make sure to mark your calendar for the upcoming show and BBQ.
“There’s still some tickets available for the Elvis show that can just buy the tickets alone, they’re $20.” Maxwell advised. “Contact the Legion, and hopefully we’ll see people at the big celebration in December.
“Come on down to support the local branch, that would be great.”
Visit the Legion’s website for more information.