An enthusiastic crowd of more than 200 people gathered on Saturday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Branch 13 of the Royal Canadian Legion at 1577 Kingston Road.
The combination of fellowship, warm weather, cold drinks, a barbecue, and good music made for a lively party at the Scarboro Veterans Memorial Hall, which was built in 1922 after the First World War.
Branch 13 President, Dan Burri, receives lifetime membership in honour of his service.
“This is one of the best branches in the City of Toronto and you’ve been here for 100 years. Congratulations,” said District D Deputy Commander Richard Viles to a round of applause during the formal ceremonies.
Viles also presented Branch 13 President Dan Burri with a lifetime membership to celebrate Burri’s 25 years with the Legion and eight consecutive terms as the local President.
In an interview, Viles said that Branch 13’s success is a result of a strong executive and robust support from the Birch Cliff community.
“It’s well run. It is financially sound. And it works a lot within the community. I know Dan and the rest of the guys. They’re doing a good job. There’s never, ever a problem with Branch 13, ever,” Viles said in an interview.
“I feel blessed”
The crowd included many community members as well as several veterans who have served all around the world.
Notable among them was John White, 89, who was a member of the Royal Air Force in Britain from 1951 to 1954.
He’s been a fixture at Branch 13 for 54 years and is the local Legion’s longest-serving member.
“I feel blessed that I’ve been allowed to live long enough to see it. I really do. It’s amazing,” said White.
“100 years and no condos. Let’s keep it that way,” White said, in reference to Branch 13’s determination to remain financially viable and out of the clutches of condo developers.
John White, centre, a member of Branch 13 for 54 years
Legion serves younger veterans
Ken Thompson, first vice president of Branch 13, said it’s important that the Legion perseveres because its purpose is not limited to veterans of the First and Second World Wars.
“There’s a lot of younger folks that are veterans, maybe from Afghanistan, or Bosnia, different places, and when they come back, a lot of them need help transitioning back into the city. And that’s what we’re there for, to provide that help. It’s not necessarily financial, it could be support. There’s a whole raft of services that are capable and willing to provide to those vets,” Thompson said.
One younger veteran at the party was Gord Roy, who served in the South African army and has been a member of Branch 13 for 15 years.
“I can talk about things. I’ve got something in common with whoever’s been in the military. And also there are functions that we do here. We play darts and snooker,” Roy said.
“Originally, this building was actually for the soldiers when they came home. If you got PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) this is a place to come to where you can affiliate with your fellow soldiers. Because you can’t go back into society, right? This is what this was all about originally.”
Official ceremony at Legion’s 100th anniversary celebration
During the formal ceremony, Ward 20 Councillor Gary Crawford, an associate member of Branch 13, congratulated the Legion for 100 years of important service.
“When you look at this building, when you look at all of the people here today, in many respects, although it was different 100 years ago, in some ways, it’s almost identical to what the purpose was 100 years ago. It is to serve, it is to honor, it is to recognize those who not only gave their lives, but to those who today are continuing to fight for this country continuing to serve,” Crawford said.
What a great story & photos, the 1 with John White & friends is particularly beautiful.