Elkhorn Legion’s 90th Anniversary
By Ed James
Roots of the Royal Canadian Legion
When WWI was over after five years of brutal fighting on all fronts in which millions of soldiers and civilians were killed and wounded; the guns were silenced on Nov. 11, 1918. Now that the war to end all wars was over thousands of soldiers returned to their homes to try to get on with their lives.
However, many did not come home, leaving behind families and loved ones in sorrow and in many cases with great hardship. The veterans who returned soon realized that some form of post war help was needed for many of the veterans, the walking wounded and their families.
Several different veteran support groups were started throughout Canada with two of the earliest ones being The Great War Veterans of Canada and The British Empire Service League. With time, many of these groups would amalgamate and in 1961 they became known as The Royal Canadian Legion that we know today.
The American counterpart was called The Veterans of Foreign Wars who have branches throughout the USA.
Elkhorn celebrates
Recently the Elkhorn Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion No. 58 celebrated the 90th anniversary of its founding on Sept. 1, 1927, with a luncheon for members and invited guests and later a come and go tea with a special cake. Several of the guests were from other area Legion branches.
The Legion hall was set up in banquet style with a display of posters from WWI and II that promoted public moral support, security, financial support by war bond drives and Red Cross support along with general propaganda - as in all wars, the first casualty of war is the truth.
Also on display was a copy of one of the original maps used by Canadian troops at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April of 1917 and a display of original sheet music of popular songs from the WWI and II eras.
The MC for the event was Garth Mitchell, president of the Elkhorn Legion Branch, who welcomed everyone for the luncheon. Legion member Val Shoemaker said the grace before the meal which had been prepared by Legion branch members Wenda Paton and Margaret James.
After the meal there was time for socializing and to buy tickets on a number of draw gifts that had been donated by area businesses and individuals plus a door prize draw of a bright red poinsettia plant.
At 2:00 p.m. the hall was filled with a number of people who came out to celebrate the event with Community Access TV camera man Lindsay White on hand to record the event for future broadcast.
Mitchell gave a history of the branch that included its earliest founding members and some of the major projects taken on by the branch over the years with financial costs that now, in retrospect, seem so little. During his presentation, Corrine Nesbitt, a representative of the Elkhorn L.U.D. presented a plaque congratulating Branch No. 58 on the event and to recognize the legion’s community support over the years.
Mitchell went on to explain that this celebration was a milestone for the branch as it not only remembers those who did not return but the building of the memorial hall and the community cenotaph that honours the many members, volunteers and veterans who served. He continued by saying that in 2011, when the hall was having some financial struggles, the decision to turn it over to village ownership reduced operating costs and allowed the building to continue to be an important gathering place and maintain its charter.
Active in the community
At the moment, the branch has about 80 members but over the years the number has ranged from 45 to 100 members. Mitchell gave recognition to the active Ladies Auxiliary that has been supportive of the Elkhorn Legion and its many projects.
When he finished his presentation, a special 90th anniversary cake was cut by John Stowe, Zone 26 Commander of the Royal Canadian Legion, and Ladies Auxiliary Life members Lil Robertson and Frances Stonehouse.
In closing, Mitchell said the branch has a proud history of being part of the Elkhorn community in both times of war and peace.
I am hopeful the RCL Elkhorn Branch will be celebrating their 100thanniversary in 2027 and continue to be an active part of the community.
