Legion Branch No. 148 has been a part of the Burnaby Heights community for more than seven decades.
This week, the Legion's veterans will lead a procession to the Cenotaph in Confederation Park, to remember those Canadian soldiers who did not make it back from First World War, and every war since.
The parade will proceed from the underground parking lot at Safeway, in the 4400-block of Hastings Street on Friday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m., heading to the Cenotaph, and returning to the Legion after the 11 a.m. ceremony. The route to the Cenotaph was improved this year, thanks in part to a request from Legion president Dave Taylor. He asked that the city widen the path leading to it when it was redoing the track at Confederation Park this year.
"It was a bit narrow to get all the RCMP officers in there," he explains.
The Legion, and its members, have seen the community grow up around them. The branch's charter was established in 1937.
Taylor, who lived on Pender Street in the Heights 40 years ago, says the neighbourhood has changed significantly.
"There was just bush across the street from me," he says, adding, "the Legion has survived for a number of years."
The branch has seen many changes since then - a second story was added in 1956, and the building has gone through many renovations, including the installation and removal of the Smokey Smith smoking room.
The Legion went from 600 to 700 members years ago to just over 400 now, Taylor says, but numbers have stayed consistent in recent years.
The branch has done its share for the community, with the poppy campaign and meat draws, says Taylor, who has served as president for six years.
The Heights branch in particular is wellknown for its chicken barbecues during the summer, with the scent of roasting chicken a fixture during every Hats Off Day in June. All proceeds from the branch's fundraising efforts go back into the community.
The Legion has received and fulfilled donation requests from community organizations throughout the Lower Mainland, from the B.C. SPCA to kids' baseball teams, he say.
But Taylor wants to remind everyone that the Legion needs community support, as well, to keep it afloat.
He hopes residents will remember the Legion and the veterans all year - not just on Remembrance Day.
Legion Branch No. 148 is at 4356 Hastings St.
