Edson Royal Canadian LegionJoe Wynne Branch #51 |
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Pride in Our Past; Faith in Our Future |
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5016 - 5 Ave Edson, A.B. Phone: 780-723-3455 |
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Fax: 780-723-7905 Email: rcle51@telus.net |
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The history of the Legion is as grand as the ideals the members attempt to lead their lives by. The Canadian Legion of British Empire Services League (BESL) was founded in November, 1925 at the end of WWI in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was incorporated by a special Act of Parliament, Charter issued in July 1926. Five nation’s veterans’ organizations – Britain, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand formed the original BESL in 1921, and carried the same ideals. Today it is known as the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL) and has over 57 member organizations from 47 commonwealth and ex-commonwealth nations. The main principle behind the Legion is to provide a strong voice for veterans and their dependants with the government, and has been integral in passing the legislation regarding the pension and other benefits, as was the 1930 War Veteran’s Allowance act. With the horror of WWII, the Legion increased efforts to aid the veterans recently returned from the front with clothing, pensions, medical treatment, job training and land settlements to name a few. While the Legion was structured to aid the veterans, the grass-roots organization naturally led to community service as well, and “Foster Fathers Program” founded in 1940 was the start of the generosity and other such programs include the National Unity and Seniors Program were launched. Individual Branches began to see to the needs of their own communities, and reached out with sports sponsorship, equipment donations for hospitals, and even housing for the elderly. Please see Service Bureau for more information. |
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History |