A group that honours the legacy of Canadian heroes was itself honoured.
The local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion was given a plaque on Dec. 13 to commemorate its 85th year in existence. Presented by the District Commander Audrey Ferguson, the plaque congratulates the McGrane Branch on its service to the community throughout the years.
Accepting the plaque was Legion President Larry Lyons, who said he was happy with the honour.
"It's something to brag about in a way,” he said. "That we survived that long, that we kept our heads above the water.'
While some legions across the country have been closing their doors, Lyons pointed out that the local branch has 149 members who meet on a monthly basis and hold a community barbecue every Friday.
It also holds an annual Remembrance Day ceremony and supports Canadian troops. Its overarching goals is helping local veterans and their families, but its members also have a long history of community involvement.
First receiving its charter to operate in 1926, the local legion branch was named after a prominent community member — Father J. E. McGrane. A WWI veteran, McGrane was also a priest, publisher of the Northern Herald and operator of a movie theatre in Lac La Biche. He was president of the Legion for 16 years, and started the Lac La Biche sea cadets. His navy uniform still hangs in the Legion's museum.
Many Legion members have played a large role in the development of the community. It was WWII veterans and Legion members formed the volunteer fire department in Lac La Biche. The Fire Hall is named for former Legion member Edward 'Dobby' Dobson.
More recently, the Legion was approached by local historian Tom Maccagno who helped to spearhead a Legion-endorsed campaign to designate area lakes named for fallen Canadian airmen in WWII. The Branch enlisted the help of 4 Wing Cold Lake and the Air Force Association to construct cairns to honour the airmen, and held ceremonies for their families at more than a dozen local lakes.
The next project for the branch is more housekeeping in nature. Although in a scenic spot and attractive from the outside, the building housing the Legion is in need of repairs.
And although it's hard to say what the future will hold for the Legion, Lyons said that they will continue to stick to their purpose of being.
"We're here to provide service to veterans and service members,” he said.
