The Royal Canadian Legion is a non-profit Canadian ex-service organization (veterans organization) founded in 1925, with more than 400,000 members worldwide. Membership includes people who have served as current and former military, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, provincial and municipal police, direct relatives of members and also affiliated members. It was founded in 1925 as the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League and was incorporated by Parliament in 1926. In 1962, Elizabeth II gave the Legion the right to affix the word "Royal" to its name. The Queen of Canada, is royal patron of the Legion; the Governor General of Canada is also traditionally appointed as a patron of the group.

Historically the Legion Hall was the social centre of many Canadian towns. This was especially the case in the provinces with severe restrictions on the sale of alcohol, rules from which the legions were generally exempt.

Pledge and Motto

Memoriam Eorum Retinebimus : We Will Remember Them

Legion Athletic Camp

In 1962 the Legion began a summer sports camp at the International Peace Garden which is run to this day, and has helped to train over 35,000 school age athletes. Up to 12 sports are offered over a six-week period.

See also

• List of Canadian organizations with royal patronage
• Haig Fund
• The Royal British Legion
• American Legion
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Returned & Services League of Australia
• Royal New Zealand Returned and Services' Association
• Remembrance Day Poppies
• Remembrance Day
• Eswyn Lyster - Canadian warbride author
• David Luther Burgess

External links

• List of Civilian organizations with prefix "Royal" - Heritage Canada.
• List of civilian organizations with the prefix "Royal" prepared by the Department of Canadian Heritage
• Royal Canadian Legion
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission - official Website
• Returned & Services League of Australia
• Legion Athletic Camp

References