The Cold Lake Royal Canadian Legion Branch 211 is hitting a special milestone this month.
On Sept. 10, they will be celebrating 70 years of being in the community.
In 1946, the charter for the Cold Lake Legion was approved, and this year they not only commemorate 70 years in the city, but 90 years since the inception of the Royal Canadian Legion. It's an occasion Todd Rorke, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 211, said they plan on celebrating.
The Legion is Canada's largest veteran and community support organization. It was founded with the purpose of serving the nation by caring for veterans and their families, keeping public memory alive of those who have sacrificed their lives for world peace, and promoting unity of thought and effort among all Canadians.
To celebrate, the legion will be hosting a meat draw Sept. 10, followed by a dance featuring live music, and a late lunch. There is no charge for members to attend the event.
"We would like to see as many people come out that afternoon," Rorke said.
With over 300,000 members Canada-wide, the legion is always looking to grow, and will be accepting applications the night of the big event.
There are over 1,400 branches all serving their communities in various ways.
It was in 1946 that veterans of the Second World War founded the Cold Lake branch, and since then the local legion has been benefitting from having CFB 4-Wing Cold Lake nearby.
Reaching 70 years, Rorke said, "shows the support we get from the town. If we didn't get support from the local community, the legion would have died out years ago."