top of page

St. Marys Legion reveals plaque honouring past members who helped build Legion’s home



By Wendy Lamond

On Saturday, July 13, a plaque was revealed at the St. Marys Legion to honour the hard work and dedication of the members of the Legion that had a hand in constructing the current building at the corner of Church and Station streets.

When the original structure was purchased April 7, 1954, it was a chicken hatchery Quonset shed with a dirt floor. The members of the St. Marys Legion, which was chartered in 1932, began their fundraising efforts with the most common events involving a bingo trailer that was transportable to different locations.

Before purchasing this spot, the Legion members rented space around town including in the old M&M Variety and Cascade Cleaners buildings.

Bill Osgerby shared a story with St. Marys Legion president Bim Graham about how when they rented the space above M&M Variety, there were no washrooms at the time. A bucket was used and when it was full, it was tossed out the window.

Once the new space was purchased, current members used the skills they learned in the Second World War to help where they could, like pouring floors and completing the wiring.

In 1974, a fire destroyed the building and a rebuild and major renovation had to be done, leaving the structure that stands there now. Over the years, members of the Legion have been making improvements ever since. They have made the building wheelchair accessible with a ramp and a chair lift. They are also in the middle of updating the upstairs kitchen.

At the unveiling of the plaque, Mayor Al Strathdee spoke of the importance of the Legion and all the work the veterans have done for our community over the years.

The new plaque gives a good message to current members and shows appreciation for all the hard work that has led up to the current-day building.

“May the current membership ever strive to maintain our predecessors’ strong values and work ethic, standing ready and able to assist veterans and their families,” the plaque reads.

Comentarios


bottom of page