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We do our part to be stewards of history, and our heritage…

Founded in 1950, with its Hall named after a local serviceman, Orville Hand, who gave his life for God, his country and its Allies, the Bradford Legion joined the ultimately over 1400 Branches across Canada, to do its part to preserve the memory of our heritage, local and beyond.

Since 1926, the Royal Canadian Legion has remained committed to advocating for those who serve and for all Veterans and their families including Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP members.

Remembrance

We ensure that the tradition of honouring all those who served and sacrificed for our country continues on with reverence:

The National Remembrance Day service
Community Remembrance services and commemoration events
The maintenance of the local cenotaph and memorials to honour the fallen
The annual Poppy campaign

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Document - Created Nov 05, 2019_6

Aboriginal Canadians have been part of our proud military history for over 200 years.

During the War of 1812, they were vital allies in the protection of Canada, helping protect the citizens of this emerging country from attacks and invasions of Americans. Since then, thousands served bravely in both World Wars, the Korean War and Afghanistan War. Indigenous Canadians continue to be a valuable part of our Canadian Armed Forced and UN Peace Keepers today.

Some of these Indigenous Veterans are some of the highest decorated soldiers, aviators and sailors in our military history. Sergeant Tommy Prince was a member of 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry at Kapyong, and was one of the most decorated aboriginal soldiers in Canada.

Aboriginal Veterans Day was established in Manitoba in 1994 and has since spread across the country to the other provinces and has been renamed National Aboriginal Veterans Day, recognized annually on Nov. 8. It’s a day to recognize and acknowledge the many contributions and sacrifices of Indigenous not only to Canada’s war efforts but to its peacekeeping reputation.

Today, about 3.5 per cent of the Canadian Armed Forces is of First Nation descent, representing many distinct cultures. They continue to make Canada proud through their service at home and abroad. We should honour their contributions and of those before them.

In this day and age of reconciliation, acknowledging Indigenous roles in the protection of Canada will help other citizens understand what true reconciliation means to the country as a whole. We must never forget the sacrifices and accomplishments of Indigenous Veterans, especially as we move forward in our journey of healing, reconciliation and a renewed relationship between Canada and its First Nations peoples.

Nov. 8 is about making efforts to better understand the role Indigenous Veterans have played in Canada, and expressing our heartfelt gratitude. Ceremonies are held across Canada to mark this day, and Canadians across the country should pause for a minute or two to honour our Indigenous Veterans

On behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion and Ontario Command we want to thank all Indigenous Canadians past and present for their services and sacrifices.

Vimy Ridge Day

Vimy Ridge Day is a day to commemorate the deaths and casualties of members of the Canadian Corps in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which took place during the First World War. The holiday has been observed annually on 9 April since 2003. It is a non-statutory observance.

As the “Keepers of Remembrance”, Ontario Command publishes an annual Military Service Recognition Book to identify and recognize many of our Veterans in Ontario, who have either served or are still serving in our Canadian Armed Forces, the Commonwealth or Allied Forces.

Everyone– including Veterans, relatives or friends alike– is welcome to share and submit a story, a photo, perhaps even a copy of an artefact of a Veteran. All are invited to drop off or send your stories and content, along with the completion of the form below, printed or updated as a pdf document, to your Legion Branch as soon as possible.

click image to download form -or- click the download button below

msrb-submission-form

The Book completion date is May 15th 2021, and as we generally accept submissions year-round, the cut off point may even be earlier if we receive enough submissions sooner to fill the Military Service Recognition Book.

Please also visit your local Legion Branch to obtain more information regarding the Keepers of Remembrance program. and more importantly, to submit a story and photo .

Your community Legion Branch looks forward to sharing, celebrating, and honouring the stories of your friends and loved ones.

Many thanks to those who have already submitted.