BY KEITH LACEY
As one of the first built in Canada back in 1926, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 76 has been a home away from home for thousands of war veterans and their loved ones and provided a place where members can share memories and experiences, make friends, have a good time and relax.
Tens of thousands have visited the legion for weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries or a quiet visit to check out the bands that entertain seniors year-round. Others join to play pool or darts or simply to sit down with friends and chat.
It’s also a place that has made Greater Sudbury a better place to live by raising hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past eight decades to contribute to worthy causes, said Marjorie Thibault, current branch president.
Branch 76 is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, and members are proud to have been one of the first built in Canada, said Thibault.
“First and foremost, this is a place where veterans are respected, and everyone recognizes what they did to keep Canada a strong and free country,” said Thibault. “But the Legion is much more than that.”
As former president Gary Costello explains, the legion movement began back in the mid-1920s when First World War veterans demanded recognition for their war efforts.
“There was what was called a unity conference...and six or seven different organizations joined together so they could speak as one voice,” said Costello. He fought for Canada during the Korean War back in the 1950s.
The original name of the organization in 1926, when 100 branches opened across the country, was the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. The name was changed to Royal Canadian Legion in 1957.
The original Branch 76 opened on the corner of Elm St. and Durham St. downtown.
Royal Canadian Legion Memorial Hall opened on Frood Rd. Oct, 2, 1947. Years later the hall was sold to the Steelworkers.
At its height of popularity in the 1950s, Branch 76 had more than 5,000 members.
Weekend dances would attract several hundred members and guests and the hall was packed virtually every night.
“It was one of the real hot spots in town...socially there was all kinds of things going on almost every night of the week,” she said.
Unfortunately, membership started dropping dramatically and city taxes started increasing. The branch was almost forced into bankruptcy by 1965, when management decided to sell the building.
The branch moved to Minto St. near the Sudbury Arena in 1965 and remained there for eight years, until it moved to its current location on Weller St. in Minnow Lake in 1973.
The current membership stands at about 600.
When the original opened in 1926, First World War veterans ruled the roost and they made it very difficult to enter the premises unless you fought in the Great War or were related to someone who did, said Costello.
“No one could get in the door unless the person was  a veteran or loved one. So that’s when people started getting fed up and organized to open other branches,” said Costello.
The second branch opened was in Copper Cliff and it  celebrated its 75th anniversary last month.
The Legion had to extend its membership to the general public in order to survive, said Thibault.
“There are very few First World War veterans left and a lot of the Second World War vets and those from the Korean War are also dying off,” he said.
“We had to started bringing in members from the community or else we would have had to shut the door on a lot of these places a long time ago...and no one wants that to happen.”
Thibault has been an active legion member for 34 years and the pride and respect shown by members who never came close to fighting in a war is inspiring.
“It’s always about showing pride and respect for the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” she said. “You just can never forget that the people who fought in these wars are the reason Canada remains such a proud and free country...members of the legion never forget it.”
Thibault said the current site will likely never change. With a beautiful view of Ramsey Lake surrounding the main building, it’s allowed the branch to hold dozens of social functions every year, which ensures all bills get paid as membership dwindles, she said.
“We have just a beautiful building and location here and that’s a big reason we get so many weddings and parties out here,” he said. “I can tell you we have virtually every weekend booked for weddings, anniversaries and parties right through next summer.”
Thibault doesn’t know the exact figures, but estimates Branch 76 has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthy community causes during its 80 years.
“We’re a not for profit organization and once the bills are paid, we contribute all our fundraising efforts to worthwhile community organizations,” she said.
Branch 76 has made annual contributions to the local cancer society for decades and has long supported Alzheimer disease research. They also support March of Dimes, Easter Seals and Camp Quality (a summer camp for children with cancer and family members).
Many senior members love to dance and there’s a lot of dancing going on at Branch 76 as a country band plays every Tuesday afternoon most of the year and a big band every Thursday afternoon.
“Both bands draw really good crowds,” said Thibault. “They have very loyal fans and it’s just great to see everyone out having a good time.”
Thibault is proud to be part of the visiting committee that visits veterans, widows and seniors who are convalescing in senior’s homes and hospitals.
“It’s all about spreading good will and making our members know they’re not forgotten,” she said.
Costello spends a lot of his time organizing fundraising ventures and visiting friends and says he never gets tired of the people and atmosphere.
“There’s an awful lot of good people involved in this organization and this branch,” he said. “It’s so important we keep up this cause...I’m going to be involved as long as I can.”
With Remembrance Day ceremonies set for Saturday, Costello said participating veterans from Branch 76 always look forward to the big day.
Seeing so many young people attending Remembrance Day activities is encouraging, he said.
“When you see school kids coming up to you and saying ‘thank you’, it really feels good and puts a smile on your face,” he said. “I really do think the younger generations appreciate what war veterans did for this country and it’s so nice to see.”
To celebrate the 80th anniversary, Branch 76 members are holding a dinner and dance Sunday, Feb. 3. On Jan. 1, a New Year’s Levee will be held starting at 1 pm. Tickets for the Dec. 3 event are $20 and available at the branch or by phoning 566-9661.