HAY RIVER - Although she was never in the military herself, the Royal Canadian Legion is very important to Tracy Cross Gauthier.

Tracy Cross Gauthier: Hay River resident is the new district commander of District 7 of the Royal Canadian Legion. - photo courtesy of Tracy Cross Gauthier

So much so that the Hay River woman recently became district commander of District 7 of the Legion's Alberta/NWT Command.

Cross Gauthier's parents have military backgrounds - her father was in the navy and her mother was in the air force reserves - and both are strong supporters of the Legion.

"I kind of grew up with that instilled in me," she said, noting the Legion is part and parcel of her family history in a way.

"That was the main reason that I have always felt that I should be a part of the Legion," she added. "I've always felt a very strong connection to military people and the sacrifices that they make, and the same with the RCMP. I just think it's incredible the sacrifices that these people make, and the least I can do is support an organization that in turn supports them."

Cross Gauthier started going to legions when she was young, got her own membership about 12 years ago, and became heavily involved in Hay River's Branch 250 about six years ago.

In fact, she was branch president for almost five years until resigning in February.

Cross Gauthier, 47, was elected to a two-year term as the volunteer district commander of District 7 at its rally in Hay River late last month.

District 7 includes the NWT's five Legion branches in Hay River, Yellowknife, Inuvik, Fort Smith and Norman Wells.

Cross Gauthier describes her new role as a kind of a liaison between the Calgary-based command council for the Alberta/NWT Command and the Legion branches in the NWT.

"If there are any concerns or issues or new policies or bylaws, I'm to ensure that the branches are made aware of it," she explained. "And also in the reverse, if there are any concerns that need to be brought up to the territorial and provincial level, that's my responsibility."

She doesn't have anything to do with day-to-day operations of the branches.

One of the goals for Cross Gauthier - who happens to work as a ticket agent with First Air - is to put some sort of system in place with airlines and with Alberta/NWT Command to reduce the cost for NWT Legion members to travel to rallies and conventions.

"At this point, it is cost prohibitive for our delegates to even attend our rallies sometimes, and our rallies are now going to be held every two years to save the branches some money," she said, noting a motion to that effect was passed at the recent rally in Hay River.

A rally involves two voting delegates from each of the five NWT branches.

Cross Gauthier noted her involvement in the Legion has been a way to express her very strong belief in volunteerism.

As the new district commander, part of her role will be to promote the Legion in the NWT, including encouraging people to join the organization.

"Whether I'm the district commander or not, I always do that," she said.

She noted it is important to let people know that they don't need to be related to someone who has served in the military to become a member of the Legion.

Cross Gauthier - a mother of three grown sons - said the Legion gives her a sense of accomplishment and purpose, along with a sense of camaraderie and friendship.

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