BONNYVILLE - Despite all that has changed over the last 75 years, one thing remains consistent, the Bonnyville Royal Canadian Legion is here for those who need it.
Former legion President Duane Hite told Lakeland This Week regardless of how it has transformed since 1946, the Bonnyville Legion will always be there to support its members, veterans, and their families.
“Things never stay the same, it’s always changing,” he said, adding all across the country legions' doors are being forced to close due to a lack of membership.
"We are very fortunate that the sons and daughters of veterans have taken over the legion," explained Hite, who ran the local legion for roughly 40 years before asking Jamie Beaupre to take over as legion president.
For Beaupre, it's rewarding to see what it has become.
“It’s incredible. It’s unreal, especially with the way our legion has come in the last few years. We are one of the more active legions in Canada,” he expressed. “We’re getting more and more community involvement."
From jam nights to renovations, Beaupre has transformed the legion into something that honours its intended purpose while giving it new life.
“It’s changed quite a bit, but I think a lot of it may have changed back to what it was when it originally started,” described Beaupre. “The old legion I remember, being there as a kid, there was a stage and bands used to play there... as the old guys got old, so did the legion."
In addition to adding a roof over the steak pit, the legion has licensed their lawn and remodeled the bar area.
“Last year, with COVID, all of us that were out of jobs got busy, rolled up our sleeves, and we put a new bar in and did a bunch of renovations,” Beaupre detailed.
The celebration
In order to celebrate their big milestone, the Bonnyville Legion will be hosting a weekend packed with events.
On Friday, Aug. 13, it will all kick-off with a 75th Birthday Party Steak Night at the legion, in addition to a music jam at the Eastbourne Ball Diamonds.
The next day is the Legion Riders Bike Rally. Registration is at the Bonnyville Legion from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Taking over the space is an invitational baseball tournament, which Beaupre said is going to be filled with friendly competition.
Whether it's legion versus legion, or the RCMP taking on the fire department, Beaupre described it as a "fun softball tournament."
That night is the pig and beef roast dinner, followed by another jam, with a charity breakfast the next morning.
"You come and have breakfast and 100 per cent of what’s raised goes to the food bank,” detailed Beaupre.
According to Beaupre, there's even camping for those who want to take-in a full weekend of festivities.
Hite encouraged everyone, legion member or not, to attend the event and commemorate the legion's big milestone.
"I would love to see people come out and celebrate."
