Archive for August, 2010

LEGEND Committee abbreviations: DEF—Defence; P&R—Poppy and Remembrance; R&A—Ritual and Awards; VSS—Veterans, Seniors, Service. Government abbreviations: CF—Canadian Forces; DND—Department of National Defence; VAC—Veterans Affairs Canada. Legislation: NVC—New Veterans Charter; SISIP—Service Income Security Insurance Plan; VIP—Veterans Independence Program. *Denotes non-concurred resolution brought back to the floor by a command and approved by convention. DOMINION EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 1. (QUE; NS/NUNAVUT)—Directs Legion to petition federal government for statutory holiday on Feb. 15 to be known as Canada Flag Day. VETERANS, SERVICE AND SENIORS GENERAL 2. (VSS)—Urges federal government to declare Vimy Ridge Day (April 9) a national federal holiday. 3. (VSS)—Asks federal government to regroup all federal ombudsmen into a centralized ombudsmen office with [...]

Winnipeg has a long history of hosting Royal Canadian Legion conventions, including (clockwise from top), the first convention in 1927 of what was then called the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League; Dominion President Clare Sparling speaks to delegates at the 20th convention in 1964 who ‘voiced their objections’ to Prime Minster Lester Pearson about replacing the Union Jack with ‘a distinctive Canadian flag;’ more than 5,000 Legionnaires march during the Golden Anniversary dominion convention in 1976; veterans at the 37th dominion convention in 1998 ride antique military vehicles in the parade; delegates and guests crowd the cenotaph at the 30th dominion convention in 1984.

On Saturday, June 12th, at just the right moment, the rain stopped on Smith Street. The dignitaries—most wearing blue blazers—filed out from under the awning, and then the sun was distantly there, sending a glow over Winnipeg’s Marlborough Hotel, birthplace of The Royal Canadian Legion.

Dominion president Pat Varga, a Royal Canadian Navy veteran, is a life member at Coleville, Sask., Branch. She has served on Dominion Executive Council since 1997 and on many national committees, including veterans, service and seniors, Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL), youth, leadership and development, poppy and remembrance, public relations and was recently the chairman of the dominion sports committee. She is currently chairman of veterans, services and seniors, RCEL, and the dominion convention committees, as well as vice-chairman of finance/budget, and investment committees and sits as a member of the veterans’ consultation group. She is also a surveyor with the Long-term Care Surveyor Program.

1 SEPTEMBER 1939 The Second World War begins as German forces sweep into Poland with the power of the “lightning war,” better known as the blitzkrieg. PHOTO: LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA Advance East of Arras. 2 SEPTEMBER 1918 In France, throughout September and October, the Canadian Corps breaks through the Hindenburg Line, pushing the German army back from east of Arras to Cambrai and beyond. 3 SEPTEMBER 1943 The Allies invade mainland Italy by crossing the Strait of Messina and landing near the town of Reggio di Calabria. 4 SEPTEMBER 1939 Pilot Officer S.R. Henderson, a Canadian serving in No. 206 Squadron, Royal Air Force, becomes the [...]

Got A Food Craving? Imagine This… Anyone who’s ever had a food craving knows how it can blot out the rest of the world. You want chocolate. You imagine the glisten on the surface, the crunch as you take a bite, the velvety texture on your tongue, the sweetness, the aroma…soon you can hardly think of anything else.

“It is considered that North West Air Command should examine the Northwest Territories in the interests of the safe and efficient conducting of air, land and sea rescue operations in the future. Such action is considered to be in line with the recent Cabinet Decision that the RCAF is to be responsible for the co-ordination of all air, land and sea rescue.”

The war at sea in 1942 pulled Canada’s small-ship navy in several directions simultaneously. The importance of the Royal Canadian Navy’s contribution to transatlantic convoy operations east of Newfoundland was confirmed in early 1942. As American destroyers drifted away to warmer climes, the RCN assumed responsibility for their escort duties in the northwest Atlantic. However, American preoccupation with the Pacific war and the spread of U-boat attacks to the eastern seaboard of North America also drew the fleet south, into the American coastal zone and as far as the Caribbean. And while this was happening, the U-boat fleet struck deep [...]

This is the last of a series of articles on Canada’s role in the Second World War Italian Campaign. The series began in the September/October 2005 issue of Legion Magazine, and all of the articles, with photos and sketch maps are available on this website. After five years of reading, archival research and three trips to study the ground over which the battles were fought, I continue to marvel at what our soldiers accomplished.

1 AUGUST 1957 As the Cold War continues, Canada and the U.S. agree to pool operational control of  air defences. This leads to the creation of the North American Air Defence Command (Norad), later renamed North American Aerospace Defence Command. PHOTO: UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS Iraq invades Kuwait. 2 AUGUST 1990 Iraq invades Kuwait. Canada responds quickly by sending a naval task group. 3 AUGUST 1978 The Queen opens the 11th Commonwealth Games in Edmonton. 4 AUGUST 1910 The former Royal Navy cruiser Rainbow is commissioned at Portsmouth, England, becoming the first ship of the Canadian navy. 4-5 AUGUST 1914 Britain sends ultimatum to Germany, demanding it withdraw [...]