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SYDNEY, N.S. — The Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of the Royal Canadian Legion will hold its first unrestricted convention since the pandemic this weekend in the Sydney.
“It’s going to be great to see because our last convention was in the midst of COVID where everybody had to be six feet apart,” said Donna McRury, a New Victoria resident who is president of the command. Her home branch is in Whitney Pier.
The host branch for the 56th convention is Branch 128 Whitney Pier and events take place at Branch 138 Ashby Legion.
There are almost 200 delegates and guests expected from all over the command, including Nunavut, as well as other provinces.
“So the roll-off effects for that within the community are going to be astronomical,” McRury said.
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McRury acknowledged legions have had challenges with volunteers and members but it will hold a Legion Week in September to get the word out.
“Different districts would celebrate Legion Week in a different way. Now, we’re coming together as a group right across Canada,” McRury said.
People don’t have to have a military or RCMP background to join.
“As far as the younger generation, I just think we have to continue to get the word out on what we can do for them,” McRury said.
“Today is different. It’s a different era. And whereas years ago, the veterans of course would come to the legion on a day-to-day basis, today’s veterans when they get off of work, they have family responsibilities — they have other responsibilities that keep their mindset busy.“
She said legions also always want to hear from the communities they are in. She said some legions applying for federal funding to become official warming centres during power outages.
“So we’re there for the veterans, of course, and their families, but we’re also there for the community,” McRury said.
“I think the message that I’d like to put out there is that each person is welcome in our legion to bring to the table what you can. … Our theme is honouring remembrance today and every day for us. So it’s our way of opening our doors and saying ‘You know what, come and help us if you can. You may just want to come and have a cup of coffee. But you have a story and we’d like to hear your stories.’”
“As far as the younger generation, I just think we have to continue to get the word out on what we can do for them.” — Donna McRury
As for the convention, Saturday is registration and training day. Sunday afternoon will be the business sessions. There are socials in the evenings.
A parade will take place Sunday morning, May 21 at 9 a.m. from the Ashby Legion to the Ashby Cenotaph at Ashby Corner. The wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the Cenotaph. Opening ceremonies will be held at Ashby Branch following the wreath laying.
James Leadbeater, a retired RCMP officer and member of Branch 128 Whitney Pier, is the local activities chairperson.
“This is a big thing. We have a lot more coming than we had expected,” Leadbeater said.
“It’s going to be a good time.”