Article & Images Submitted by Melody Land, CAC Coordinator
The Albert County Royal Canadian Legion Branch 32 of the Royal Canadian Legion, located on Legion Street in Hillsborough, is entering a special year. The local branch recently welcomed 40 new members during a community event that also marked the beginning of its 100th anniversary celebrations. Located centrally in Albert County, the Legion serves residents throughout the Fundy Albert region.
The Albert County Royal Canadian Legion Branch 32 of the Royal Canadian Legion, located on Legion Street in Hillsborough, is entering a special year. The local branch recently welcomed 40 new members during a community event that also marked the beginning of its 100th anniversary celebrations. Located centrally in Albert County, the Legion serves residents throughout the Fundy Albert region.
For a rural community like Albert County, where neighbours know each other and many families have deep military connections, the moment felt important. Members young and old gathered together to remember veterans, welcome newcomers, and honour the long history of service and community support that the Legion represents.
Rick Langer, president of the Albert County Legion branch, served as Master of Ceremonies for the event. The event began with a land acknowledgement and a moment of silence for those who lost their lives while serving Canada. The room grew quiet as people reflected on the sacrifices made by generations of Canadians in times of war, peacekeeping, and military service. Rick then welcomed guests and spoke about the importance of community support and remembrance as the branch enters its centennial year.
The celebration also recognized lifetime members Wayne Wilkins and Barb O’Hare for their years of dedication to the Legion and the community. Their service reflects the volunteer spirit that has helped keep the branch active through decades of change.
The celebration also recognized lifetime members Wayne Wilkins and Barb O’Hare for their years of dedication to the Legion and the community. Their service reflects the volunteer spirit that has helped keep the branch active through decades of change.
One of the biggest highlights of the evening was the announcement that 40 new members had joined the Legion — the largest single membership increase in the branch’s history. The news was greeted with applause and excitement from those attending. For many community members, the increase is a hopeful sign for the future of the Legion. Across Canada, many Legion branches have faced challenges as membership numbers changed and rural communities grew smaller. The strong turnout in Albert County showed that younger generations and new residents are still interested in supporting veterans and preserving local traditions.
The Royal Canadian Legion was founded in 1925 after several veterans’ groups joined together following the First World War. The organization was created to support veterans returning home from war and to help their families. Over the years, the Legion became known for promoting remembrance, organizing poppy campaigns, supporting local charities, and helping communities across Canada. Legion branches in small towns often become much more than meeting halls. They host community suppers, fundraisers, dances, remembrance services, and support programs for local families. In Albert County, the Legion has also supported bursaries for graduates, local cadet programs, veterans’ services, and community events.
During the ceremony, Legion Member and Veteran, Peter Jubb spoke about the symbols of the Legion and their meaning. He explained how badges, flags, sacred items, and emblems on site, including the poppy, help connect members and community to Canada’s military history and traditions of remembrance. He also presented membership pins to new members joining the branch.
The Legion’s familiar red poppy remains one of the most recognized symbols in Canada. Every November, Canadians wear poppies to honour military members who died in service. The tradition was inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields, written during the First World War by Canadian doctor Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.
During the ceremony, Legion Member and Veteran, Peter Jubb spoke about the symbols of the Legion and their meaning. He explained how badges, flags, sacred items, and emblems on site, including the poppy, help connect members and community to Canada’s military history and traditions of remembrance. He also presented membership pins to new members joining the branch.
The Legion’s familiar red poppy remains one of the most recognized symbols in Canada. Every November, Canadians wear poppies to honour military members who died in service. The tradition was inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields, written during the First World War by Canadian doctor Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.
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For many families in Albert County, remembrance is personal. Generations of local residents served during the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, peacekeeping missions, and more recent military operations. Communities like Albert County sent many young men and women overseas during wartime, and local memorials continue to remind residents of those sacrifices. Worth noting is that Albert County also has important military history tied to the Battle of Petitcodiac during the Seven Years’ War and later connections to Canada’s war efforts during both World Wars - both of which topics can be learned about at the Legion.
Another standout moment during the evening was a Quilt of Valour presentation.
Valerie, speaking during the ceremony, shared the history behind the Quilt of Valour program. She explained that “during the First World War, Queen Mary encouraged women to make quilts for wounded soldiers returning home.”
The modern Canadian Quilt of Valour movement continues that tradition by presenting handmade quilts to injured veterans, peacekeepers, and military members medically released from service. Across Canada, the Quilt of Valour program has become an important way for civilians to thank veterans for their service. Volunteers spend many hours sewing and designing quilts that are unique to each recipient. The presentations are often deeply moving for veterans and their families.
Valerie shared that “each quilt is designed as a hug from a grateful nation” and the presentation ceremony of this quilt exemplified that gratitude.
The quilt presented during the ceremony was made by the Chocolate River Quilters’ Guild. Keith Steeves, the recipient, received the quilt during an emotional presentation that reflected both gratitude and community care. During a standing ovation, there was not a dry eye in the house, as Keith was wrapped in the quilt that was made with such love and care, and represented the acknowledgement of his sacrifice and service.
Valerie shared that “each quilt is designed as a hug from a grateful nation” and the presentation ceremony of this quilt exemplified that gratitude.
The quilt presented during the ceremony was made by the Chocolate River Quilters’ Guild. Keith Steeves, the recipient, received the quilt during an emotional presentation that reflected both gratitude and community care. During a standing ovation, there was not a dry eye in the house, as Keith was wrapped in the quilt that was made with such love and care, and represented the acknowledgement of his sacrifice and service.
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In small communities, gestures like these carry special meaning. Rural New Brunswick communities have long traditions of neighbours helping neighbours, especially during difficult times. Programs like Quilts of Valour continue that tradition in a personal and heartfelt way.
The evening’s events also marked the beginning of the branch’s 100th anniversary celebrations. Reaching a centennial is a major milestone for any organization, especially in a small rural community. Over the past century, the Albert County Legion has witnessed enormous changes. It has supported veterans returning from world wars, welcomed peacekeepers home, organized remembrance ceremonies, and served generations of local families. Through economic ups and downs, changing populations, and the recent challenges facing many rural organizations, the branch has remained active.
Community support has helped make that possible.
In recent years, local residents have continued to support Legion events, especially during the annual Poppy Campaign leading up to Remembrance Day. Funds raised through the campaign help provide services and support for veterans and their families.
The branch has also continued welcoming people from all backgrounds, including those without military service connections. Modern Legion branches across Canada, including ours in Branch 32, encourage community membership and volunteer participation as a way to keep local traditions alive while supporting veterans.
That spirit of inclusion could be clearly seen during the recent celebration. The addition of 40 new members brought energy and optimism to the branch at the start of its anniversary year, kicking off a period of growth and engagement.
For many attending, the event was not only about remembering the past but also about looking ahead and how the Legion will continue to grow and engage with the community. Organizations like the Legion remain important gathering places. They help preserve local history, honour veterans, and create spaces where neighbours can come together.
The Albert County Royal Canadian Legion Branch 32’s centennial celebrations are expected to continue throughout the year, giving residents opportunities to learn more about local military history and the role the Legion has played in Albert County life for generations. With lots of fresh ideas and new community partnerships emerging, the Legion will become even more visible in the months to come.
The evening’s events also marked the beginning of the branch’s 100th anniversary celebrations. Reaching a centennial is a major milestone for any organization, especially in a small rural community. Over the past century, the Albert County Legion has witnessed enormous changes. It has supported veterans returning from world wars, welcomed peacekeepers home, organized remembrance ceremonies, and served generations of local families. Through economic ups and downs, changing populations, and the recent challenges facing many rural organizations, the branch has remained active.
Community support has helped make that possible.
In recent years, local residents have continued to support Legion events, especially during the annual Poppy Campaign leading up to Remembrance Day. Funds raised through the campaign help provide services and support for veterans and their families.
The branch has also continued welcoming people from all backgrounds, including those without military service connections. Modern Legion branches across Canada, including ours in Branch 32, encourage community membership and volunteer participation as a way to keep local traditions alive while supporting veterans.
That spirit of inclusion could be clearly seen during the recent celebration. The addition of 40 new members brought energy and optimism to the branch at the start of its anniversary year, kicking off a period of growth and engagement.
For many attending, the event was not only about remembering the past but also about looking ahead and how the Legion will continue to grow and engage with the community. Organizations like the Legion remain important gathering places. They help preserve local history, honour veterans, and create spaces where neighbours can come together.
The Albert County Royal Canadian Legion Branch 32’s centennial celebrations are expected to continue throughout the year, giving residents opportunities to learn more about local military history and the role the Legion has played in Albert County life for generations. With lots of fresh ideas and new community partnerships emerging, the Legion will become even more visible in the months to come.
For younger residents, this anniversary is also a reminder that remembrance is not only about history books or ceremonies once a year. It is about people — parents, grandparents, neighbours, and friends who served their country and whose stories continue to shape local communities today.
The strong turnout and record membership growth suggest that the Albert County Legion’s story of the values of service, remembrance, and community support is far from over.
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