Yellowknife (July 26/06) - Yellowknifers celebrated the Royal Canadian Legion's 80th anniversary during a ceremony last weekend at the Lakeview Cemetery.

Veterans, widows, Legion members and their families marked the landmark occasion by unveiling a new section in the Field of Honour, set aside for soldiers whose remains have been cremated elsewhere.

Ruth Ann Spence, assisted by her sons Matthew Spence (front) and Duff Spence (back), unveils her late husband Robert's headstone on the 80th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion. - Emily Watkins/NNSL photo

"It was really appropriate as Saturday was Canadian Forces Day and the Airshow," said Lorne Power, Manager/Secretary of the Yellowknife Royal Canadian Legion.

The headstone of Yellowknife veteran Robert Spence - the first marker in the new section - was draped with a Canadian flag and a white cross with poppies. A bouquet of flowers rested next to the gravestone.

After a few words, his widow, Ruth-Ann Spence, was invited to come and pull back the Canadian flag to reveal the headstone.

"Taps" was then played, followed by a moment of silence, to remember the sacrifices that veterans have made.

The Legion chaplain, Second World War veteran Bishop John Sparry, prayed in closing.

"It's a salute to the work of the Legion," Sparry says.

"It preserves the memory of the veterans who served and also encourages the country to remember the cost that the war exacted from so many."

Sparry, who was a sailor in the British Navy, joined the forces in 1943. He watched the ocean for enemy submarines in an effort to protect supply ships.

During that time, he depended on those he fought beside.

The Yellowknife detachment of the Royal Canadian Legion has been around for 61 years; it was created when the Second World War ended in 1945.

The Legion has been around since 1926.

Before 1926, it was known as the British Empire Services League and the name was changed to give returning Canadian veterans their own home.

Veterans, Legion members and guests gathered at the Legion hall later for dinner celebrations.

Each Canadian Legion branch was given the opportunity to chose their own day to mark the 80th anniversary.