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Maple Ridge Legion Colour Party - Remembrance Day 2023

Colour Party Volunteers

Colour Party Volunteers

Maple Ridge Legion Colour Party - Remembrance Day 2023We are looking for new, volunteer members for our Colour Party.

The Colour Party is the official flag group of the Maple Ridge Legion, carrying the flags with reverence and pride.

There are few civic events and parades in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows that are not proudly led by our outstanding Colour Party.

We are now seeking a few good members to be a part of this wonderful team,

No experience is necessary and the comradeship is very rewarding.

Contact the Branch Office for more details.

 

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We are Hiring

We Are Hiring

We Are Hiring

We are HiringAbout Our Opportunity

Join us as our new, dynamic Branch Administrator, leading a passionate team to uphold the administrative and leadership heartbeat of our organization!

This is an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated individual with a strong background in the food and beverage, hotel, or service industry, ideally in an operations leadership position, to contribute to a purpose-led, member-driven not-for-profit organization.

Apply online at Indeed

 

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583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets

583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets

583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets 70th Annual Ceremonial Review

On Saturday 25th May, members of Branch 88 had the pleasure of attending the 70th annual ceremonial review of the Air Cadet Squadron, and presenting the Cadet Medal of Excellence Certificate and medal to one of the cadets.

The parade was excellent, the Drill Team performed a display of various different marching styles and formations, the band played and managed to coordinate complicated manoeuvres at the same time. It was very impressive.

Traditional ceremonial uniform cougar skinThere were also several displays made by the Cadets, and on display was this cougar skin that is part of the traditional ceremonial uniform worn by the base drummer. This cougar was the last one legally shot in Maple Ridge. Unfortunately the skin is large, and the cadets are not so tall, it’s also very hot to wear so it isn’t usually worn now.

The Cadets, the Reviewing Party and all members of 583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets did a fantastic job, it was an impressive display and an enjoyable afternoon.

583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets 70th Annual Ceremonial Review

On Saturday 25th May, members of Branch 88 had the pleasure of attending the 70th annual ceremonial review of the Air Cadet Squadron, and presenting the Cadet Medal of Excellence Certificate and medal to one of the cadets.

The parade was excellent, the Drill Team performed a display of various different marching styles and formations, the band played and managed to coordinate complicated manoeuvres at the same time. It was very impressive.

There were also several displays made by the Cadets, and on display was this cougar skin that is part of the traditional ceremonial uniform worn by the base drummer. This cougar was the last one legally shot in Maple Ridge. Unfortunately the skin is large, and the cadets are not so tall, it’s also very hot to wear so it isn’t usually worn now.Traditional ceremonial uniform cougar skin

The Cadets, the Reviewing Party and all members of 583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets did a fantastic job, it was an impressive display and an enjoyable afternoon.

583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets 70th Annual Ceremonial Review

583 Coronation Squadron Air Cadets
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An image from Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows News of a young Bobby Seckler

Community donation

Community donation

An image from Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows News of a young Bobby Seckler
A cutout from a newspaper, date unknown, shows a 14-year-old Bobby Seckler when he was a member of the Maple Ridge Boxing Club, after winning the 106 pound division of the provincial Bronze Gloves championships in Cranbrook, B.C.. (Source: The News)

One of our veterans is behind a Branch donation, giving back to the Maple Ridge sports club where he found success as a teen.

Thanks to a request from Rob Seckler we donated $500 to the Maple Ridge Boxing Club.

Seckler, aka Punchy, was part of the boxing club as a teen. He fought out of the club for two and a half years from 1980 to 1983, and during that time he won the 106 pound division of the provincial Bronze Gloves championships in Cranbrook, B.C. when he was 14-years-old.

He would go on to win a handful of fights out of the Maple Ridge Club before moving onto to other clubs , winning the bronze, emerald, and silver gloves at different provincial championships between 1983-84.

Seckler thought he would turn pro, but when a friend was injured in the ring, he had second thoughts, envisioning a life of multiple concussions and various other injuries.

So, he joined the army instead in 1985 when he was 17-years-old.

Read the full story at Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows News

We are so very thankful to be a part of this feel-good, full-circle, member's story and happy to help out all the very worthy community organizations!

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Legion Exec - Judy

Meet the Executive – Judy Ballard

Meet the Executive - Judy Ballard

Legion Exec - JudyI have been a Member of Legion 88 since 2009. I went to the first meeting in January to pledge my allegiance to the Legion. I stayed for that first meeting and saw how the Legion was run.

In 2010 I decided to run for Executive, was elected and did the Youth Education portfolio for 6 years until I retired from work. I then took on the Poppy Campaign for 5 years. During that time I ran for table officer and continued helping in any way I could.

So why did I want to become a Legion Executive? Because of my Dad. He was not a Veteran in the eyes of the Legion. We came from Denmark where my Dad was in the Danish underground when the war broke out. Many times he was captured and released until the final time he was caught and sent to a work camp somewhere in Austria. We are not sure of exactly where he was but when he came home he had what was called "Shell Shock" which is now called PTSD. If it was not for Allied forces who liberated his camp, I would not be here doing all I can for Legion 88.

It is an Honour and a privilege to serve.

Who else is on our 2024 Executive? Find out here.

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Judy Ballard receiving Branch Presidents Medal

Branch Medal

Our President receives her Branch Medal

Judy Ballard receiving Branch Presidents MedalOur current President, Judy Ballard received her Branch President Medal at the General Meeting on April 21st.

The medal was presented by Al Casswell, our Chairman.

Congratulations, Judy, we're proud to have you as our President

 

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Legion Exec - Tom - IG

Meet a Veteran – Tom Gardener

Meet a Veteran - Tom Gardener

Legion Exec - Tom - IGTom was born in England and joined the British Army in 1953 at the age of 20, as part of conscription following the Second World War.  He joined the Royal Engineers as a Reservist, and served for two years stationed in Dartmouth UK and Germany. He completed his basic training at Southwood Camp near Farnborough.

He joined the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers Reserves (known then as the Militia), which was formed in 1539 during the reign of King Henry VIII, making it the second oldest regiment of the British Army. He then moved to the Royal Engineer Reserves in Weston-Super-Mare as part of his compulsory service until the reorganization of the British Army Reserves when he went to 3 Troop in Bristol.

He worked his way up to Staff Sargent, then became Sargent Major of 100 Squadron in Newport for three years, which is the maximum term for that role. During this time he travelled to Germany to join exercises with other branches of the British Armed Forces.

Tom immigrated to Canada with his wife Rosemary after his son (also a Veteran) had moved to BC, and joined the Maple Ridge Legion in 2012. He joined the Colour Party, and was soon made Sargent at Arms for our branch, and served in that role until 2023. He is now part of the Executive in charge of funerals and is the Cadet Liaison Officer, and continues to lead the Honour Guard for the celebration of life that is available for all Veterans.

In his younger days, Tom played rugby and soccer, and in summer played cricket. He still likes to watch these sports on TV. He is a keen gardener and grows lots of veggies in his garden. He is also a great cook!  He has three sons, two still in UK, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. You'll also find Tom visiting his beloved wife of sixty four years, Rosemary, every other day in the care home where she now lives.

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Legion Exec - John

Meet the Executive – John Yoxall

Meet the Executive - John Yoxall

Legion Exec - JohnJohn first joined the Royal Canadian Legion in Maple Ridge in 2009. He became the Second Vice President in December 2023 and will serve a two year term.

He has been a member of the Colour Party for Remembrance Day and many other occasions for several years, and has lead the Honour Guard at the Celebration of Life for many veterans.

He is a Veteran, and served in the British Army as a Metalsmith in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) for 12 years, after joining as a boy soldier at the age of 16. During his time in the military he was posted to Norway, Northern Ireland, Canada, Cyprus and several army bases in Germany.

His goal for our Legion is to make Veterans and their families the main focus, and to help support younger Veterans in particular. He would like to raise awareness of Operational Stress Injury, in particular Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and how that affects many Veterans both young and old. He would like to encourage more people to join the Legion and to volunteer.

In his spare time he tries to get in his 10,000 steps a day and once he retires would like to travel. He has been known to frequent the Legion Lounge.

Who else is on our 2024 Executive? Find out here.

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Legion Exec - Al

Meet the Executive – Allan Casswell

Meet the Executive - Allan Casswell

Legion Exec - AlAl first joined the Legion in the late 70’s. He has been a member of Branch 88 since 1994 and received the Life Membership Award in 2017.

He is currently the Past President and Meeting Chairman, and in the past has held all positions on the Executive Committee and various positions at the Zone level.

Al is a veteran, his military service was 1968-1971 in the Royal Canadian Navy.

His vision for the future of our Legion is that he would like to see some of our many new members sign-up as volunteers, as it seems that we rely on the same people year after year.

Who else is on our 2024 Executive? Find out here.

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2024 Executive - Donald Purdy

Meet the Executive – Don Purdy

Meet the Executive - Don Purdy

2024 Executive - Donald Purdy

Don is a longtime member of the Royal Canadian Legion, first joining in 1973 while stationed in Winnipeg Manitoba. He was a member of the Army Reserves in 1970 while in High School in Hamilton Ontario.  

He joined the Regular Force in 1972 after High School Graduation as a Mobile Support Equipment Operator (MSE Op). During his time serving he had postings CFB Winnipeg Manitoba, UNEFII Ismailia Egypt, 4 Service Battalion S&T Company Lahr Germany, CFB Detachment Vancouver & 12 Service Battalion, 4 Service Battalion S&T Company Lahr Germany and CFB Chilliwack. He retired in 1993.

He comes from a Service Family. His Grandfather was in WW1 with the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force and he fought in the Battle for Vimy Ridge. His Dad was with the West Nova Scotia Highlanders in WW2 and was part of the forces that landed in Normandy. His Dad was wounded in action while fighting in Belgium. 

Don was a member of the Legion in Winnipeg, Lahr Germany and Vancouver. Don rejoined RCL Branch 88 in 2018. He also joined the Colour Party and Honour Guard. He was appointed Sergeant at Arms of the Maple Ridge Legion in 2023. 

Don Officially Retired as a Professional Driver in 2022 after 52 yeas. Now that he is Retired, he likes to Read, Travel, Hike and Swim. 

Who else is on our 2024 Executive? Find out here.

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