Maple Ridge Legion 2024
It's been a busy year for Maple Ridge Legion, supporting veterans, community and cadets.
What are your favourite Maple Ridge Legion memories from 2024?
Tag: veterans
Remembrance Day 2024
Remembering a Veteran
Remembering a Veteran from World War I
Legion Member Cheryl Moore's grandfather served in World War I as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. William James Taylor was wounded on June 1, 1916, invalided out and returned to Canada in May 1919. He died in 1942 and is buried at the Mt Royal Cemetery in Montreal, QC.
Cheryl made the trip to Belgium to experience the battlefields, the cemeteries, memorials and museums in remembrance of her grandfather and wanted to share some of her reminders of an emotional visit.
You can read more about Hill 62 (Santuary Wood) on the Veterans Canada website
If you live in Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows and would like to share a story and images of a Veteran of any age, please contact us, we want the act of Remembrance to live on.
Nurses in the Armed Forces
Nurses in the Armed Force
Image Credit: Canadian Forces website
https://forces.ca/en/career/nursing-officer/
For many years nurses have played a large part in the armed forces in Canada and abroad. The most famous being Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War, where she trained and managed nurses and significantly reduced death rates by improving hygiene and living standards.
The modern armed forces have nurses as a vital part of the healthcare team, along with medics, surgeons, anaesthetists and other support services. Nursing Officers can be part of the Regular Force, or part of the Reserve Force. Most medical staff in the armed forces are Reservists, who can be mobilized to war zones or peace keeping missions to support the Regular medical staff.
Head over to the Legion Magazine website to read Sister Act, a story is about Canadian nurses in the First World War, who were stationed in hospitals or casualty clearing stations, which were nearer the front, often well within range of enemy fire. Here's a snippet...........
Canadian Nursing Sister Anna Stamers of Saint John, N.B., bound for England aboard Metagama, pondered her fate across the ocean.
Having graduated from her local nursing school in 1913 before accumulating two years’ relevant work experience, the Maritimer appeared prepared for the challenge ahead that June 1915—at least on the surface.
The reality, as is so often the case with conflict—regardless of specific roles and duties seldom matched expectations.
Indeed, for Stamers and the 2,844 other nurses who served in the Canadian Army Medical Corps (CAMC) during the First World War, destiny brought many of the same horrors witnessed and experienced by soldiers on the front lines.
And like those soldiers, not every nurse would sail home.......... (continue reading on Legion Magazine)
Nurses and other medical professionals are part of all armed forces, the Navy, Air Force and Army. Although not in a combat role, they are crucial to the function and safety of the forces, and are still much valued armed forces veterans.
Honouring a Veteran
Honouring a Veteran
Ray Lloyd, born in 1924, was 99 years old when he passed on. In 1942 at the age of 18, Ray enlisted in the RCAF. He became a Flight Engineer and flew some 31 sorties over occupied Europe in Halifax bombers.
On August 27th, our Branch was proud to provide an Honour Guard for Ray as part of his funeral and celebration of life events. Ray's selflessness in serving his country is one of the reasons that we continue to remember, appreciate and support all veterans and their families. Rest in Peace, Ray.
Thank you to our members that formed the Honour Guard.
Marco Rypkema, Mark Cannon, Tom Gardner (funerals and past Sergeant @ Arms), John Vanderelst (Service Officer), John Yoxall (1st Vice President)
Veterans Dinner September 18th 2024 – Update
Veterans Dinner September 18th 2024
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
Veterans Dinner September 18th 2024
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
Supporting the Burns Way
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 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.
Meet a Veteran – Don Purdy
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.
How Master Corporal Harding Earned a Military Medal of Valour in Afghanistan
How Master Corporal Harding Earned a Military Medal of Valour in Afghanistan
CANADIAN VICTORIA CROSS/TWITTER
In this month's veterans feature, we return to January 2006. After serving three tours in Bosnia, Master Corporal Christopher Harding began the first of two tours in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry.
On the 8th of July he was involved in a fierce battle with the Taliban, as part of Operation ZAHAR, and following intense fighting he risked his life to rescue a severely injured soldier who had been shot in the neck.
“I remember looking through the haze and I saw Corporal Christopher Klodt lying there on his back. So I crawled over to where he was.”
See the full story below.
How Master Corporal Harding Earned a Military Medal of Valour in Afghanistan
CANADIAN VICTORIA CROSS/TWITTER
In this month's veterans feature, we return to January 2006. After serving three tours in Bosnia, Master Corporal Christopher Harding began the first of two tours in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry.
On the 8th of July he was involved in a fierce battle with the Taliban, as part of Operation ZAHAR, and following intense fighting he risked his life to rescue a severely injured soldier who had been shot in the neck.
“I remember looking through the haze and I saw Corporal Christopher Klodt lying there on his back. So I crawled over to where he was.”
See the full story below.
Veterans Dinner September 18th 2024
Veterans Dinner September 18th 2024
On 18th September 2024, Branch 88 will be hosting our annual dinner to honour Veterans. If you are a veteran of the CAF, of a Commonwealth country military or RCMP living in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows you are welcome, you do not have to be a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, all are welcome.
More details will follow.
Veterans Dinner September 18th 2024
On 18th September 2024, Branch 88 will be hosting our annual dinner to honour Veterans. If you are a veteran of the CAF, of a Commonwealth country military or RCMP living in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows you are welcome, you do not have to be a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, all are welcome.
More details will follow.