“Lest We Forget” - Airdrie’s Royal Canadian Legion

Note: This is just one of many articles I wrote as Editor/Publisher of GO! Magazines. This story came from an issue of GO! Airdrie.

The Royal Canadian Legion was founded in 1925 and its mandate was to meet the needs of all who served in the Armed Forces and their dependents. One of the primary objectives of the Legion was to encourage, promote, support and participate in all forms of municipal, community and national service, during World Wars I and II and the Korean War. Following the Korean War the Legion became increasingly involved in community service. The athletics program for youth was established in early 1950s and has been one of the Legions most successful programs. Many other community programs included the National Unity and the Legion Senior programs as well as a medical fellowship to support the veterans of the wars.

The Airdrie Branch 288 was granted its charter on August 23rd. 1983. After many location moves over the years, moved into their new building on  3rd Avenue SE. and on January 1st. 1992 the branch took ownership of the building. Over the years the Airdrie branch has donated over one million dollars to various projects in the city.

Don Doal is a distinguished WW II veteran and at 82 years young, is a driving force behind the Airdrie Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Don was born in a mining town in Northern Ontario. He worked in the mines until enlisting in the armed forces when the war broke out in 1939. As a member of the Royal Canadian Engineers, Don was a combat engineer on the front lines, building bridges and clearing the way for advancing troops. “Most of our work was at night as we laid mine fields to support our infantry troops,” explained Don. “I remember one night we were laying mines. I was by myself and as I looked up all I could see was two German boots standing in front of me. We looked at each other, turned around as quick as we could and ran in the opposite direction.”

According to Don, it’s hard for people to understand what fighting in a war is really like unless you have been there. We currently have troops fighting in Afghanistan and television brings us pictures everyday of what it’s like for our forces. But we don’t see the ugly side of combat except maybe through movies such as “Saving Private Ryan”, which is gut wrenching to watch, especially the first 30 minutes of the film. “War is hell,” said Don. “The average age of our troops was only 23 and many of us were still teenagers. When I talk to young people I try to emphasize that without the sacrifice that our soldiers made, they wouldn’t be enjoying the lifestyle they have today.”  Don feels that the history of what these men and women fought for in the wars should be taught as a separate subject in the schools. “Through good teaching our young people need to always remember that what went on during the war,” said Don. “Sadly for many people, Remembrance Day is just another holiday. What is really hard on us is that people forget and don’t care.”  

Brenda Clayton is the Airdrie Legion’s secretary and explains that every year for Remembrance Day the legion tries to involve the schools. “We send out posters and have an essay writing contest that each school can participate in with their English classes,” said Brenda. “Some schools participate while others are not interested, and we can’t understand why they can’t put this in as part of their curriculum. We also have a poppy campaign every year and it’s so sad sometimes to hear parents tell their children, when they ask what it’s all about, that it’s not important and not to waste their time.”

Don has been involved with the Airdrie branch since the beginning in 1983 and over the years has played a very active role in its programs. For the past 5 years Don has served as the branches Service Officer, and spends a lot of his time visiting the sick and dying in the hospitals. “It’s trying sometimes, when I have to visit one of our members who is dying,” said Don. “They may not have any family members left so I spend as much time as I can with them, because they are comrades.” Don also has to arrange funeral services if the family members want a Legion service. If the family can’t afford the funeral services the Legion looks after the costs. There are 15 WW II vets left in the Airdrie branch.

According to Brenda, the branches membership has gone up and down over the years. “At one point a couple of years ago our membership was way down and we were thinking we might have to sell our building,” said Brenda. “But we’ve managed to increase our numbers and although we are not out of the woods yet, we are trying to get more people to join and help out. Some people didn’t renew their memberships when they thought we were going to lose the building so some of these people are now coming back” The Legion building has a beautiful auditorium that will hold over 400 people as well as a lounge where they have luncheons and other functions. Membership fees are very modest and there are always lots of concerts, parties and other functions going on that members and non-members can attend.

For more information about the Airdrie Legion you can contact Brenda at 948-3000 or by email at …. . And let’s not forget to support the Legion and the veterans that made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today.

Paul Oldford