Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 09/04) - The long-serving tradition of honouring Canada's war veterans will continue on long after we're gone, say two representatives of the Royal Canadian Legion in Yellowknife.

"In 50 years' time, we also will be reading the names of veterans from the Afghanistan, Croatian and Yugoslavian wars," said Lorne Power, branch manager. "The Royal Canadian Legion will have a long-standing significance."

The Yellowknife branch celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.

To honour the occasion, a time capsule has been placed on display in the lounge -- to be opened in 2053.

"The capsule is actually a DND shell," Power said.

President Lloyd Lush said only about a dozen veterans remain in the Northwest Territories, including just one Korean War veteran -- well-known Yellowknifer Jack Adderly.

But with the backbone of the Legion being its people, both men said there are lots of members who have contributed so much to the presence of the service organization.

The Legion has always been full of interesting and vibrant characters, such as Dusty Miller, Mel Brown and founding member Shorty Brown, who will be the only Yellowknife Legion member to receive the Order of Canada next month.

Humble beginnings

The Vincent Massey branch had its inception in 1945 in Old Town with first president L.W. Shorty Nelson.

Seven years later, it moved into its own building -- the current location of The Office dining lounge on 50th Street.

In 1979, the organization moved again, to its current location on Franklin Avenue.

Power said over the years he has noticed a drop in the age of members -- which he takes as a good sign.

"We have more younger people joining, which is encouraging. They learn to respect the veterans," he said.

"Also, people know we offer an environment where there are no fights and have different activities. It's an interesting place to come for all ages."

The Legion has played an important role in fundraising for the community, Power noted.

Recent contributions have included a new lift for the senior citizen's home and a new water tank for the Senior's Society, he said.

Other projects and contributions have included the Children's Wish Foundation, Facilities for Kids and the Stanton Territorial Hospital Foundation.

Most recently, the Legion purchased 118 seats at $100 each in the Multiplex sports arena.

"They will be inscribed with names of our veterans and called the Legion Veterans Section," Power said.

Power said the Legion is asking the city to call the as-yet-unnamed multiplex the Veteran's Memorial Sportsplex.

"Just about every province has something dedicated to honour its veterans, except for the North," Power said.

He recalled a recent event where the Holy Trinity Anglican Church was broken into and the guitar of Rev. Don Flumerfelt was stolen.

"We raised money and purchased him a new one. He had tears in his eyes -- he was speechless," Power said.

Volunteer base

"But we can't do a thing without our volunteers," Power said of the membership's efforts, adding the no-smoking rule has taken its toll on the organization.

Keeping some variety in the Legion's fundraising initiatives has helped keep the members keen, however, Lush noted.

"We've had bingos, meat raffles, karaoke and dart tournaments," Lush said.

"We even have members who have moved but who still maintain their memberships."

Lush said the current membership is at 560, the largest since 1990.

With no end in sight, Lush and Power said the Legion will carry on with its traditions.

"We should do things for our veterans while they are still alive," Power said.