news - Maple Ridge Royal Canadian Legion

"Reconciliation", the Canadian Peacekeeping Monument on Sussex Drive in Ottawa, seen from the northeast. Canada.ca

Veterans Dinner September 18th 2024 – Update

On 18th September 2024 Maple Ridge Legion will be hosting the annual dinner to honour Veterans. If you are a veteran living in Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows you are welcome. Also welcome are past presidents of the Branch or Ladies Auxiliary. Legion Membership is not required. The meal is served at 5.30pm, entry from 5pm.

ROAST BEEF DINNER AND DESSERT
Tickets are $10 (refundable) for Veterans.
Each Veteran may bring one guest for $15

Tickets to be purchased by September 12th
Purchase Tickets in person at Maple Ridge Legion
12101 224th Street, Maple Ridge, BC

Forces Dinner. Photo by Skies Magazine Joanne Calder

ROAST BEEF DINNER AND DESSERT
Tickets are $10 (refundable) for Veterans.
Each Veteran may bring one guest for $15

Tickets to be purchased by September 12th
Purchase Tickets in person at Maple Ridge Legion
12101 224th Street, Maple Ridge, BC

Supporting the Burns Way

The Royal Canadian Legion is proud to support the Burns Way.

The Burns Way is excited to launch a national campaign to recruit veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP to volunteer as Peer Advocates for the Burns Way — an anonymous peer support chat-only platform for ALL Canadian veterans.

For the first time in Canadian veteran history, Indigenous, non-Indigenous, and minority veterans have come together to create a space that is safe and judgment-free. It is a place for veterans to take control and begin their journey to wellness.

This inclusive community will provide round-the-clock access to peer support. Using a smart device or a desktop browser, guests will connect anonymously with trained veteran peers who will bring shared experiences to the chats. When the chat is over, it all disappears, ensuring confidentiality. For those seeking help, there is no need to register, log in, or provide any personal information, and the Burns Way will never use chatbots. There are no waitlists. Connections are completed within seconds, with real people ready to respond with empathy.

The program launches this fall, but right now, the Burns Way is recruiting and preparing to train applicants to serve as veteran Peer Advocates. The Burns Way: A new hope for All Veterans.

For more information, head to the Burns Way website.

A link to the Burns Way is also in our Veterans Resources section.

The Royal Canadian Legion is proud to support the Burns Way.

The program launches this fall, but right now, the Burns Way is recruiting and preparing to train applicants to serve as veteran Peer Advocates. The Burns Way: A new hope for All Veterans.

For more information, head to the Burns Way website.

A link to the Burns Way is also in our Veterans Resources section.

Terri Retires

Terri Retires after 35 years of service.

It was a great surprise to Terri and she loved every moment of it. Lots of happy tears.

It was a wonderful turn out of Members, the Sports Lounge was full!! A great way for her to be able to start her retirement.

The Branch President Judy and Past President Al presented Terri with a beautiful necklace with a heart to remember us by, a couple of gift cards and a Poppy bag.

A big thank you to the planners Grace and Elaine who did the shopping for decorations and the cake.

Meet a Veteran – Don Purdy

Don is a longtime member of the Royal Canadian Legion, first joining in 1973 while stationed in Winnipeg Manitoba. He was a member of the Army Reserves in 1970 while in High School in Hamilton Ontario.

He joined the Regular Force in 1972 after High School Graduation as a Mobile Support Equipment Operator (MSE Op). During his time serving he had postings CFB Winnipeg Manitoba, UNEFII Ismailia Egypt, 4 Service Battalion S&T Company Lahr Germany, CFB Detachment Vancouver & 12 Service Battalion, 4 Service Battalion S&T Company Lahr Germany and CFB Chilliwack. He retired in 1993.

He comes from a Service Family. His Grandfather was in WW1 with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force and he fought in the Battle for Vimy Ridge. His Dad was with the West Nova Scotia Highlanders in WW2 and was part of the forces that landed in Normandy. His Dad was wounded in action while fighting in Belgium.

Don was a member of the Legion in Winnipeg, Lahr Germany and Vancouver. Don rejoined RCL Branch 88 in 2018. He also joined the Colour Party and Honour Guard. He was appointed Sergeant at Arms of the Maple Ridge Legion in 2023.

Don Officially Retired as a Professional Driver in 2022 after 52 yeas. Now that he is Retired, he likes to Read, Travel, Hike and Swim.

Veterans Dinner September 18th 2024

Outstanding Support

354 RCSCC Invincible – 15th Annual Ceremonial Review

On Saturday June 4th members of the RCL Branch 88 had the pleasure of attending the 15th Ceremonial Review of the 354 RCSCC Invincible Sea Cadets. Following the General Salute, the Inspection of the Guard and Ships Company, there was a March Past complete with band.

Following this there were static displays showing Hovercraft, RC Boats and Communication/Radio Technology and the Drill and Band display. All were very impressive, especially the band keeping in time and their drill in order.

After this, there was the Awards Presentation, please see photos below for all the details.

Service Dogs for Veterans

Guide dogs have been helping humans for hundreds of years, but in recent years the use of dogs to help reduce symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other Operational Stress Injuries (OSIs) such as anxiety and depression has been on the rise. VAC in their report acknowledged that ‘service dogs provided a reduction of PTSD symptoms, a moderate long-lasting reduction of depressive symptoms and a significant increase in the subjective feeling of well-being related to overall quality of life.’

Our branch of the Legion has had experience of this, one of our own vets has a service dog that has changed his life for the better. The training of this dog was funded in part by our Legion. This is something that we would love to become a regular part of our donations and actively reach out to help our local Veterans who suffer with PTSD and OSIs.

However, although the use of service dogs for veterans has been a topic with Veteran’s Affairs Canada (VAC) for many years, in 2022 the government response to the VAC sixth report on the subject ‘Incorporating Service Dogs into the Rehabilitation Program of Veterans Affairs Canada’ was a refusal for this therapy to be regulated or covered by them.

This is why Legion 88 is wanting to get involved to help our Veterans in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

See the full story from the Legion Magazine.

https://legionmagazine.com/the-dogs-of-postwar/

This is why Legion 88 is wanting to get involved to help our Veterans in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

See the full story from the Legion Magazine.

https://legionmagazine.com/the-dogs-of-postwar/