Tag: news

I have been a Member of Legion 88 since 2009. I went to the first meeting in January to pledge my allegiance to the Legion. I stayed for that first meeting and saw how the Legion was run.

In 2010 I decided to run for Executive, was elected and did the Youth Education portfolio for 6 years until I retired from work. I then took on the Poppy Campaign for 5 years. During that time I ran for table officer and continued helping in any way I could.

So why did I want to become a Legion Executive? Because of my Dad. He was not a Veteran in the eyes of the Legion. We came from Denmark where my Dad was in the Danish underground when the war broke out. Many times he was captured and released until the final time he was caught and sent to a work camp somewhere in Austria. We are not sure of exactly where he was but when he came home he had what was called "Shell Shock" which is now called PTSD. If it was not for Allied forces who liberated his camp, I would not be here doing all I can for Legion 88.

It is an Honour and a privilege to serve.

Who else is on our 2024 Executive? Find out here.

Our current President, Judy Ballard received her Branch President Medal at the General Meeting on April 21st.

The medal was presented by Al Casswell, our Chairman.

Congratulations, Judy, we're proud to have you as our President

John first joined the Royal Canadian Legion in Maple Ridge in 2009. He became the Second Vice President in December 2023 and will serve a two year term.

He has been a member of the Colour Party for Remembrance Day and many other occasions for several years, and has lead the Honour Guard at the Celebration of Life for many veterans.

He is a Veteran, and served in the British Army as a Metalsmith in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) for 12 years, after joining as a boy soldier at the age of 16. During his time in the military he was posted to Norway, Northern Ireland, Canada, Cyprus and several army bases in Germany.

His goal for our Legion is to make Veterans and their families the main focus, and to help support younger Veterans in particular. He would like to raise awareness of Operational Stress Injury, in particular Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and how that affects many Veterans both young and old. He would like to encourage more people to join the Legion and to volunteer.

In his spare time he tries to get in his 10,000 steps a day and once he retires would like to travel. He has been known to frequent the Legion Lounge.

Who else is on our 2024 Executive? Find out here.

Al first joined the Legion in the late 70’s. He has been a member of Branch 88 since 1994 and received the Life Membership Award in 2017.

He is currently the Past President and Meeting Chairman, and in the past has held all positions on the Executive Committee and various positions at the Zone level.

Al is a veteran, his military service was 1968-1971 in the Royal Canadian Navy.

His vision for the future of our Legion is that he would like to see some of our many new members sign-up as volunteers, as it seems that we rely on the same people year after year.

Who else is on our 2024 Executive? Find out here.

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. 

Who else is on our 2024 Executive? Find out here.

Jodi originally joined the Royal Canadian Legion at the age of eighteen, in Baron Bing, Toronto. She moved to B.C. and joined the Billy Bishop branch in Kitsilano. She left for a while and was busy with life, then rejoined the Maple Ridge branch around five years ago.

Jodi’s grandfather is a veteran and a long time member of the RCL, he was the inspiration for her to join at a young age. Her father in law was also a veteran and was a prisoner of war in North Africa during the Second World War.

She is on the Membership Committee with Lynda McEwan, and is the Co-Chair of the Finance Committee with John Yoxall. Prior to joining the Executive this year, Jodi was a very active member of the Ladies Auxiliary.

Her vision for our branch this year is to get back to basics with proper operational management, using resources that we have in the expertise of legion membership. She would like to see an expanding relationship between all members of different ages and services.

She is a business owner, and likes to read in her (very limited) spare time. She is also a busy proud hockey and baseball mom!

Who else is on our 2024 Executive? Find out here.

James first joined the Royal Canadian Legion in 1976 in North Vancouver, moved to Port Moody in 1998, and then to Maple Ridge in 2014. As a member of the Port Moody Branch, he was a member of the Executive at Large, and in charge of Awards. He is a proud member of the Colour Party and has taken part in Honour Guards at the Celebration of Life for veterans who have passed away.

James joined the Air Cadets at the age of 12, and then at 16 in 1971, joined the Canadian Armed Forces Army Reserves. He was a Master Corporal in the Engineers.

He served in North Vancouver and spent 4 months in Germany, and also worked with the American Engineers in Fort Lewis, Washington. During his time with the Engineers, he travelled to Wainwright Alberta multiple times to train with other branches of the Canadian Armed Forces. James was also a member of the RCMP Auxiliary in Coquitlam from 1992-2005.

Who else is on our 2024 Executive? Find out here.