BARBARA LATKOWSKI
Caledonia Courier
The Royal Canadian Legion is alive and well in Fort St. James. Despite the legion building closing its doors for good last spring, Branch 268 of the legion has re-established its executive committee and plans are being made in preparation for this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony.
“Yes, our legion is up and running again and we just want to let the community know that there is a legion presence once again,” legion president, Marylou Fonda said. And it’s this presence that the new president is determined to keep alive within the Fort St. James community.
My father was a veteran. That’s why it’s so important to me personally, to keep the legion going, to have a legion presence in the community and to be able to allow people the opportunity to remember,” Fonda said.
The Legion received its charter in 1965. It opened its doors in 1972. Since its closure, the community is still feeling the loss. Gladys Martin, president of the Ladies Auxiliary and current legion secretary/ treasurer says that despite the closure, the legion must remain in Fort. St. James.
“It’s so important,” Martin said. “The legion is much more than just a building. It means more than that.” Remembrance Day events will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 11. All are asked to assemble at the Community Centre. At 10:45 a.m. a color party march will leave for the cenotaph for wreath laying.
A potluck lunch will follow at Kwah Hall from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Poppies will be available for sale by donation in the band office on Nov. 6. This year’s poppy chairman and parade marshal is Mark Whitely.
For more information about the legion or to volunteer, please contact Marylou at mffonda@hotmail.com