On Feb. 23, 1963, a small group of ex-soldiers from Langley and the Matsqui District met at the old Vasa Hall in Aldergrove to form a Royal Canadian Legion branch.
A veteran of both World Wars, George McDonald, was selected as honourary branch president, with Len McNernie named president.
Joe Provost and Robert Blair were elected vice presidents, William Brown was picked as secretary-treasurer, and Bob Crawford was appointed sergeant-at-arms duties.
The main purpose of a legion was to better support pensioners and veterans with services and applications to other branches. It also helped take the demand off of neighbouring legion branches.
The legion's first Remembrance Day ceremony was in 1963, which included the parade with the Aldergrove radio naval station, Aldergrove Elks, 1922 Army Cadet Corps., and the Wolf Cubs. It was held at a temporary cenotaph in front of the local post office, where wreaths were laid.
Each year, the parade went from downtown Aldergrove along Jackman Road to the church service, and then down Fraser Highway to the newly erected cenotaph. There was also a march back to town, which no longer happens today.
Construction of the local legion building was done by volunteers, opening in 1969 and was completely paid off by December of 1972, when a mortgage burning took place. The lounge addition of the legion building was added later on.
The building allowed legion members to regularly get together for dances, bingos, and other entertainment. Money was raised through lotteries, which was donated to various charities.
By 1973, there were 217 members of the Aldergrove legion.
Now, 61 years later, the branch has managed to survive and thrive, while some others in the Lower Mainland have suffered declining memberships.
But it has not been without a struggle, current president Debra Gray observed.
“It used to have very good times, and there was rough times, and now we’ve pulled through and we’re back to good times again,” Gray commented.
She credits the legion’s hard-working volunteers with keeping it going.
There is also a new Legion Foundation, which Gray says makes 'buddy packs' for veterans to help them get off the streets.
"There's a lot of them on the streets, and that's what the Legion Foundation does."
In its lounge, the legion regularly hosts bingo nights, entertainment, meat draws, pool, darts, ping pong, sport watch parties, and more. Bands are often scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights, including ACDC Dance and Metallic tribute bands.
"All the money we raise, from our events, goes to charity," Gray said.
Last year, the legion raised and donated more than $89,000 to help veterans and their families.
Every Sunday morning, the legion hosts a $10 breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. that is open to everyone.
Gray said that the legion is always looking for new volunteers, and anyone interested can call the main office at 604-856-8814.
Aldergrove's legion branch is located at 26607 Fraser Hwy.
