news - Maple Ridge Royal Canadian Legion

PADS Legion Litter

Pacific Assistance Dogs (PADS) is having a contest to name their next litter of dogs. As our Legion Branch has previously supported their PTSD Service Dog Program, we want to you to get creative and help us submit names to PADS for the new litter due in January 2025.

What we need from you

Please submit up to 3 names by email to the Legion Office by December 10th.

Each Legion Branch can submit up to 3 names so we'll select our favourites and submit them to PADS.

Here is what PADS has asked us to consider for names:

Be either gender-appropriate or gender-neutral; list them by:
- Male, female, or either
Names should be easy to say/call out and no more than 3 syllables (1 or 2 syllables is ideal)
We encourage you to do the “intro test” by going through your suggested names with someone who hasn’t heard them before, saying, “This is my dog ____.” If they appear confused, shocked, or ask you to repeat the name, it’s best left off your list.
Be politically correct and culturally sensitive.
Avoid common human names where possible (placing a dog named Bob would limit placement options if we have 3 applicants with the same name).

So, get your thinking caps on and get those suggestions into the Legion Office by email by December 10th.

Photo credit: Pacific Assistance Dogs

Membership renewal time

An image of the Sergeant at Arms taking the Parade salute

Remembrance Day 2024

Nov 14, 2024
by MCannon

Remembrance Day 2024

Remembrance Day at Maple Ridge Legion

Approximately 11.30am (Parade dismissal) to 8pm

The City of Maple Ridge provides full details of the Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony. (Note - There's also a Parade in Pitt Meadows)

Our Legion members will be participating as Veterans and with a Colour Party.

After the Parade is dismissed, our Legion opens it doors (just after 11.30am) to those who have participated in the ceremony. Veterans, Veterans who could not march and the Colour Parties all receive a lunch. Once Veterans and the Colour Parties have settled, the remainder of people may join us.

We also have a range of activities over the rest of the day including:

Live music from Sweet Max
Performances from the Greighlan Crossing Pipe Band and highland dancing by Dunvegan Dance Academy.
Cheque presentations to local charities

Become a Legion member and support our Veterans.

Remembrance Day at Maple Ridge Legion

Approximately 11.30am (Parade dismissal) to 8pm

The City of Maple Ridge provides full details of the Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony. (Note - There's also a Parade in Pitt Meadows)

Our Legion members will be participating as Veterans and with a Colour Party.

We also have a range of activities over the rest of the day including:

Live music from Sweet Max
Performances from the Greighlan Crossing Pipe Band and highland dancing by Dunvegan Dance Academy.
Cheque presentations to local charities

Become a Legion member and support our Veterans.

Member spotlight – Cheers!

Congratulations Marilyn

Oct 22, 2024
by MCannon

Volunteer Spotlight – Roger Welch

Roger became a member of the Maple Ridge Legion 11 years ago and he didn’t know at the time how it would change his life. He was familiar with the Legion as his father served in World War 1 including the battle of Mons.

At a General Meeting he attended to ask for more support for playing poker: the Legion President was asking for volunteers for the “Sick and Visiting Committee”. At the same time, Roger had just applied at the hospital to visit patients that needed help and he decided to do both.

Roger visits a few dozen people a week as he walks around Baillie House to see if anyone needs a visit. Sometimes it is just a smile, tell a joke or even a quick dance. Being on the “Sick and Visiting Committee” Roger visits all Maple Ridge Legion members that would like a visit in Ridge Meadows Hospital.

A Legion member that Roger visited once a week for 6 months made a big impact on him and the member. This Legion member was in a coma for 6 months yet Roger visited once a week and just talked to him. After about 6 months he was sitting with the member who then opened his eyes and said to Roger “I love you”. A few months later the gentlemen passed away while Roger was visiting. Roger believes he waited for him to be there before he let go.

The experience left Roger with a better understanding and comfort with death. Roger came to learn that there was a difference between pain and suffering. Pain is the body telling you something is wrong and suffering is the mental part.

Helping people with their suffering, Roger says “is about helping them find purpose” by suggesting to them that at least once a day whether it is a caregiver or another patient, to give them a smile or some words of kindness will help you and them, he says.

After reading the book the Art of Happiness – Roger’s goal is to be happy and he says he has never been happier than he is right now. If you have a goal in life to be happy, the best way to achieve that goal is to make others happy.

Roger is usually in the Legion on Friday afternoons. I encourage you to say hi and even have a chat, it could be a meaningful experience.