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RANKIN INLET - The first lifetime membership to a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 169 in Rankin Inlet was presented earlier this month.

Rosemary (Rose) Brown was presented with her crest on Nov. 7 during a special gathering to recognize Legion members with five years or more of service.

Royal Canadian Legion associate deputy commander Nunavut Division John Hawkins and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 169 president Margaret Taylor, right, present Rosemary Brown with her lifetime member crest during a special ceremony in Rankin Inlet earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Margaret Taylor

Branch 169 president Margaret Taylor said not only does Brown have 36 years of Legion membership to her credit, but she is also the longest-serving member of Branch 169.

"Rose (Brown) serves as our Branch membership co-ordinator," said Taylor.

"Her continued efforts have been recognized not only here in Rankin Inlet, but at the district, Nova Scotia-Nunavut and Dominion commands.

"We managed to keep this honour a secret from Rose, and keeping a secret is not the easiest thing to do in this town. "This is the first time we've honoured one of our members this way, and we are pleased to be able to present this prestigious honour to Rosemary."

Brown, who will turn 60 on Dec. 5, moved to Rankin in 1988.

Her father served in the Second World War and Brown began her Legion membership in Bracebridge, Ontario, in 1972.

Brown is a capital planning advisor with Nunavut's Department of Health and said she still enjoys her work.

She said she was helping Taylor during the awards ceremony and was shocked to hear she was about to receive her lifetime membership crest.

"I'm humbled and honoured to be recognized this way by my associates," said Brown.

"I've enjoyed every year with the Legion but especially in Rankin because we've gone from a very small membership of about 20 or 30 people when we didn't have our own building, to the vibrant Branch we are today.

"The Legion is a club for its members to share camaraderie but it's also about giving back to the community.

"Since we don't have veterans here, we spend time on activities associated with the cadets and helping with the food hamper, elders' Christmas party and the Girl Guides."

Brown is a survivor of breast cancer and still battles arthritic problems, especially in her hip area, but her checkups have been going well and she has no plans of retiring.

She said she still enjoys being with the Legion, especially during Remembrance Day ceremonies and the remembrance poster contest the Legion sponsors every year.

"The teachers spend a lot of time getting the kids to think about Remembrance Day and the people who currently serve as police officers, soldiers and peacekeepers.

"The posters give them a chance to express how they feel about Remembrance Day, and the prizes we give encourage them to spend a little extra time on them.

"Our Canada Day barbecue is also one of my favourite events of the year.

"We're a small Legion, but we do what we can to help out in our community."