The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139 in Williams Lake is 80 years old.
It is one of the oldest organizations in Williams Lake and area.
E.G. (Tony) Woodland was the first President in 1934, our current President Bonnie O’Neill was not even born then.
In 1926 the Royal Canadian Legion started in Canada and a few years later in 1934 on Sept. 6, Branch 139 got underway with Woodland heading a group of veterans.
The Legion purchased its present property in 1957.
Our nation’s values and societal traditions are very much mirrored though the community work supported by the Royal Canadian Legion.
In Williams Lake and area Branch 139 has been giving to the community for years and more than $500,000 has been passed along to organizations in this town. Monies have gone to Deni House, Army Cadets, Navy Cadets, Williams Lake secondary school dry grad, Salvation Army, Williams Lake RCMP Youth Academy, Cataline Intergenerational program, Heart and Stroke foundation, Williams Lake Meals on Wheels, BC Yukon Council of the Blind, Stampeders Coy Cup, Williams Lake Wrestling Club, Williams Lake Pipe Band, along with bursaries.
The Ladies Auxiliary to the Royal Canadian Legion is comprised of mothers, wives, daughters, and granddaughters of Legion members.
They play a big part in the day to day life of the Williams Lake Legion as they provide financial and volunteer support to legion programs.
The Ladies Auxiliary sponsors a seniors’ luncheon with the Williams Lake Old Time Fiddlers each month.
Almost 100,000 Ladies’ Auxiliary members, nation wide, support legion projects with contributions of many millions annually.
Did you know there are many streets in Williams Lake named after legion veterans? Cornwall, Hodgson, Coxon, Davison, Blair, Huckvale, Norquay, Mayfield, Pigeon, Smith, Paxton, Pearkes, Spencer, and Woodland are all streets named after legion veterans in our community.
There have been nine life members of the Royal Canadian Legion in Williams Lake.
Two husband and wife teams have been presidents of the branch: Reg and Joyce Norberg along with Malcolm and Lucy Stewart.
Many folks think of the legion as conducting services of Remembrance in cities and towns throughout our nation.
The Nov. 11 Remembrance Day ceremonies with the annual Poppy Campaign is one project that every member of the legion supports.
Branch 139 meat draws, wings night, Thursday spaghetti evenings, and the ever-popular steak nights with dancing, are a few of the legion’s monthly activities.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139 in Williams Lake is celebrating 80 years, thanks to the veterans and the community members who continue to support our legion.
The legion will celebrate its anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 13 with a nice dinner and dancing.
All are welcome to attend this great celebration.
Thanks to the veterans and the community who support our legion.