Royal Canadian Legion Branch 434 has been an important part of the community since it was formed in 1946. It will be celebrating its 80th anniversary next year. Older residents will remember many fond hours spent in the “old” Legion on John Street as well as many new memories made in the current Legion on Queen Street. Courtesy Photo

CHESTERVILLE – The local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is an important part of communities providing both support to our veterans as well as the general population it serves. Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Branch 434 in Chesterville has served the area well since it was formed in 1946 after the end of World War Two.

There are many in the area who will remember the weekly Legion Bingo, the summer dances with midnight barbeque chicken dinners and other social events. Older residents may remember the veterans of the First World War and the Second World War marching from the Legion Hall on John Street and ending at the town’s war memorial adjacent to the Chesterville Community Hall on Victoria Street. In 1999 a new Legion Hall was opened at its present location on Queen Street beside the Chesterville fairgrounds, with the goal of serving the veterans and the community continuing into the 21st century.

Steve Grubb, current president of the Chesterville Branch, mentioned RCL Branch 434 is in Zone G3 which has 13 branches in the Prescott-Morrisburg-Manotick-Russell-Winchester-Chesterville areas. The branch participates in zone sports tournaments such as golf, euchre, horseshoes, darts and washer toss. Grubb mentioned there are people working to have corn hole, which is increasing in popularity, included in sports event.

There are three categories of membership which include Ordinary, Associate and Affiliate. An Ordinary Member is a member or veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) or the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). An Associate Member is one who has a family tie to an ordinary member, with an Affiliate Membership available to the general public who wish to support the RCL. There are currently 157 paid 2025 members in the Chesterville Legion.

When asked about the role of the Royal Canadian Legion, locally, provincially and across Canada, Grubb mentioned the organization seeks to ensure the needs of veterans of all ages are taken care of as well as support their community.

He explained how the funds raised through the Poppy Campaign are to be used to support veterans. Local veterans are able to reach out to their Legion for assistance, and noted that there are provincial and dominion level funds available to veterans of the CAF, RCMP or OPP. For children (including step-children) of Ordinary and Associate Members and grandchildren (including step-grandchildren) of Ordinary members there are educational bursaries for them available at the local and provincial legion levels.

When asked about the role of the Legion in supporting the community, Grubb explained this is done in a variety of ways. The Chesterville Legion organizes the yearly Remembrance Day ceremony held in the village, which includes a light lunch at the Legion following the ceremony. As well a poster and essay contest is held in the fall and a public speaking contest in collaboration with local schools is in the planning stages.

The Legion is very involved in ensuring there are opportunities for residents to socialize while enjoying delicious chicken barbeque or wing nights. He mentioned the Family Game Night provides an opportunity to people of all ages to come to the Legion to play a variety of games. These include board games, cribbage or card games as well as enjoy a simple meal such as stew or fish and chips for a nominal cost.

He mentioned how the community is supported with money raised through blanket raffles and Nevada ticket sales. Grubb explained the license requires the funds over and above the administrative costs of the raffle are to be provided to designated community organizations. Over the years these have included Dundas County Hospice, the Chesterville and District Lions Club, House of Lazarus and the Rotary Club of Chesterville.

Upon request, the Legion is made available to community organizations such as the North Dundas Rockets, Minor Hockey, the Chesterville and District Historical Society and others for no charge. Grubb continued how support is provided to the Chesterville Community Dart League and the North Dundas Cornhole League.

Donations from the Legion’s general account are made available to community events such as Art on the Waterfront and to the Chesterville and District Agricultural Society for the Chesterville Fair. He noted how the hall was provided free of charge for the Kayak for Cancer Euchre Tournament held on March 15 of this year.

Upcoming community events planned for the Chesterville Legion include a fundraising for cancer dart tournament scheduled for April 19 and on May 31 another Legion organized dart tournament will raise funds for Home for Heroes, an organization which supports veterans.

More information can be found on the organization’s Facebook page or website located at www.chestervillelegion.ca.

 

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