By Charles Lefebvre

Legion membership in Medicine Hat holding steady

Nov 9, 2017 | 2:15 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Royal Canadian Legion is working to get the word out that anybody can join the group.

The organization has opened to the general public, not just veterans and their families, for several years now, and local legions are hoping more members of the public will join the organization.

“We do what we can to let folks know you’re always welcome to be a member of this branch,” said Stephanie Farrer, membership chair with the Robertson Memorial Branch No. 17, which serves Medicine Hat

According to Farrer, membership in the branch numbers around 700, and has remained consistent over the past several years.

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“People join because they already have families here,” she said. “We have functions where families come, where some of them are quite young, and as they come up, they get familliar with the Legion and they can become members too.

Farrer adds they also have members who transfer in to the branch, alongside members of the public who join on their own.

She adds the organization has been spreading awareness when out at community events, and during the Poppy Campaign, that non-military members, as well as members of the public who want to help veterans, can join the group.

“It’s important,” she said. “We need as many people as we can. There’s lots and lots of volunteering opportunities, and we do need everybody’s help for that.

“This is not just about the Legion and Legion members. It’s about the whole community, if they know a veteran who is need, it would be lovely if they could let us know, so we can pass the information onto our service officer so they can make sure the veteran is looked after.”

Farrer adds the Invictus Games have helped raise awareness of the work the Royal Canadian Legion does to assist veterans, and they’re looking at ways to build on the momentum of the event.

“It’s made huge awareness, it’s made a big impact,” she said. “What a wonderful thing to happen, and to happen here in Canada was just icing on the cake. It was amazing.”

In Redcliff, there are approximately 375 members of their local branch, the Royal Canadian Legion No. 6.

Those interested in joining can drop by the Legion and fill out an application form. The Robertson Memorial Branch No. 17. is located at 702 2 St SE in Medicine Hat, while the Redcliff legion is located at 302 Broadway Avenue.