Whither the Royal Canadian Legion? Or RCL Withers?

[Colin Parkinson]

One of our local legions sold their property on Lonsdale (main street) to a developer who built a high raise with a new legion on the ground floor, parking and a number of suite reserved for veterans. The one in West Van seems to be a hangout for the local police, fire fighter and anyone else that wants a more traditional pub style hang out and not a sports bar.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

How ironic. They've been complaining for years about dwindling membership and loss of branches. Then they arbitrarily shut one down over people wearing colors in the branch. Before getting to crazy, I'd like to know what patch was being worn and if the wearers were Veterans. I quit the Lesion after 37 years over the petty bullshit and civilian infiltration in board activities, all the way up to the skiving prick civvies in Dominion Command. I'll wager just about none of those members transfer or renew their memberships. Another nail in the Lesion coffin.

 

[BillN]

One of our local legions sold their property on Lonsdale (main street) to a developer who built a high raise with a new legion on the ground floor, parking and a number of suite reserved for veterans. The one in West Van seems to be a hangout for the local police, fire fighter and anyone else that wants a more traditional pub style hang out and not a sports bar.

Colin, is the Lynn Valley Legion still operating??

 

[dapaterson]

Similar thing in Sault Ste Marie, the high rise on the site of the former legion has space for veterans.

Now it's the post construction shake out, as they discover that the soundproofing needs to be improved, or they need to turn down the volume for some of the regulars at karaoke...

 

[The Bread Guy]

... I'd like to know what patch was being worn and if the wearers were Veterans ...

Some media reports (CBC, Newmarket media, Global) say police tipped off the Legion Ontario head shed about motorcycle gang activity following investigation, so I'm going to guess these weren't just vets wearing non-criminal colours.

Haven't found a source for which gang's alleged, but Woodbridge seems to be not immune to ... entrepreneurial motorcycle enthusiasts (interesting caveat: "The Loners Motorcycle Club states that it is a group of motorcycle enthusiasts that are not involved in organized crime, any members that choose to commit these acts do so without the permission of the club."...

Loners Motorcycle Club - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

... not to mention Legion Command sent out a "no outlaw motorcycle or gang colours allows" memo in 2018

Legion adopts new policy regarding outlaw motorcycle club colours

www.legion.ca

... I quit the Lesion after 37 years over the petty bullshit and civilian infiltration in board activities, all the way up to the skiving prick civvies in Dominion Command ...

You're not alone on that front - LOADS of bitterness among folks I know about how they were treated because they weren't quite "veteran enough" in the day

 

[daftandbarmy]

Colin, is the Lynn Valley Legion still operating??

Branch 114 is alive and kicking... drove by there last week:

Lynn Valley Legion Branch 114

The Royal Canadian Legion is the guardian of the Poppy and Remembrance in Canada

lynnvalleylegion114.com

 

[Jarnhamar]

Legion is a civilian organization full of civilians, who conveniently handle all that Rememberance day stuff.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Some media reports (CBC, Newmarket media, Global) say police tipped off the Legion Ontario head shed about motorcycle gang activity following investigation, so I'm going to guess these weren't just vets wearing non-criminal colours.

Haven't found a source for which gang's alleged, but Woodbridge seems to be not immune to ... entrepreneurial motorcycle enthusiasts (interesting caveat: "The Loners Motorcycle Club states that it is a group of motorcycle enthusiasts that are not involved in organized crime, any members that choose to commit these acts do so without the permission of the club."...

Loners Motorcycle Club - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

... not to mention Legion Command sent out a "no outlaw motorcycle or gang colours allows" memo in 2018

Legion adopts new policy regarding outlaw motorcycle club colours

www.legion.ca

You're not alone on that front - LOADS of bitterness among folks I know about how they were treated because they weren't quite "veteran enough" in the day

I was never treated bad as a Veteran. My concern was always the civies. I watched Veterans blackballed from positions because they weren't civvy enough and almost every branch that has gone under has been due to civilian malfeasance of the board.

 

[mariomike]

Latest iteration of "how Legions continue to struggle" seasonal story ...

The Branch in our neighbourhood closed in 2013 after 85 years ...

It wasn’t until 1967 when the Village of Swansea and the City of Toronto amalgamated that the branch began to sell alcohol.

It was sold to a single owner, who turned it into his residence with space for his cars.

 

[dapaterson]

Legions, like other volunteer organizations, fail when those who volunteer lack the skills needed to operate the organization.

Few Legions do proper capital planning - buildings need repairs throughout their lifecycle. Covering your operating costs without putting money aside for the roof, for the boiler, for regular repairs... means that when those entirely predictable bills come due, there's no money to pay for them.

 

[The Bread Guy]

I was never treated bad as a Veteran. My concern was always the civies. I watched Veterans blackballed from positions because they weren't civvy enough and almost every branch that has gone under has been due to civilian malfeasance of the board.

There were apparently some folks charged with $ shenanigans at the Woodbridge Legion some time before the biker thing came up, so fits the pattern a bit.

 

[lenaitch]

Legions have their strength in small, rural communities where they're often one of two entertainment spots, if not the only one. In cities, not so much.

And for many, the one where you won't see fights or drug deals. For cops in small communities, the one where you never get called to and where some drunk loudmouth won't try to impress his girlfriend by trying to take you on.

How ironic. They've been complaining for years about dwindling membership and loss of branches. Then they arbitrarily shut one down over people wearing colors in the branch. Before getting to crazy, I'd like to know what patch was being worn and if the wearers were Veterans. I quit the Lesion after 37 years over the petty bullshit and civilian infiltration in board activities, all the way up to the skiving prick civvies in Dominion Command. I'll wager just about none of those members transfer or renew their memberships. Another nail in the Lesion coffin.

And the guy trying to sell drugs to your kid is just a businessman trying to make his way.

Assuming they were a recognized and legitimate OMG HA, Loners, Rock Machine, etc.), they are recognized as organized crime by pretty much the entire planet. Veteran membership be damned.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

And for many, the one where you won't see fights or drug deals. For cops in small communities, the one where you never get called to and where some drunk loudmouth won't try to impress his girlfriend by trying to take you on.


And the guy trying to sell drugs to your kid is just a businessman trying to make his way.

Assuming they were a recognized and legitimate OMG HA, Loners, Rock Machine, etc.), they are recognized as organized crime by pretty much the entire planet. Veteran membership be damned.

Settle down. That's why I asked about the cuts. We have lesions and bars here that allow patches of some clubs, that don't wear the diamond. Widows Sons are an example. Hell, they even let Blue Knights in on occasion. That's why I asked about it. I'm more than aware of the LEO push over the last few years of going around to bars and 'suggesting' to owners to stop letting them in. I don't know any bars that allow kids in, whether to hang around or buy drugs. And you don't need bikers to have drug sales in bars. There's lots of civvies, of all stripes, ready to do that. It's a hole that never goes unfilled for long.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Colin, is the Lynn Valley Legion still operating??

Yes and doing ok last I heard

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Legion is a civilian organization full of civilians, who conveniently handle all that Rememberance day stuff.

God help us if it was run by the military, the approved press releases and ops plans would come out Nov 18th.

 

[lenaitch]

Settle down. That's why I asked about the cuts. We have lesions and bars here that allow patches of some clubs, that don't wear the diamond. Widows Sons are an example. Hell, they even let Blue Knights in on occasion. That's why I asked about it. I'm more than aware of the LEO push over the last few years of going around to bars and 'suggesting' to owners to stop letting them in. I don't know any bars that allow kids in, whether to hang around or buy drugs. And you don't need bikers to have drug sales in bars. There's lots of civvies, of all stripes, ready to do that. It's a hole that never goes unfilled for long.

I doubt local law enforcement would be approaching the Legion about Blue, Red or White Knights.

The problem I have will most of these 'enthusiast' groups is many of their aspects ('three piece rocker' patch, Harley only rules, etc.) seem to go out of their way to mimic OMGs. Apparently Veterans MC in BC have been under surveillance for a while for ties to HA.

 

[The Bread Guy]

... The problem I have will most of these 'enthusiast' groups is many of their aspects ('three piece rocker' patch, Harley only rules, etc.) seem to go out of their way to mimic OMGs. Apparently Veterans MC in BC have been under surveillance for a while for ties to HA.

And not to give tooooooo much credence to the usual HA/81/et. al. "hey, we didn't TELL them to do bad stuff - that's on them" disclaimer, it only takes a few dabbling consistently in murkier waters to draw LE's eye, right?

 

[kratz]

If only the legions actually assisted Canadians with "to never forget". Instead, we have schools who want to ban uniforms at Remembrance day ceremonies.

N.S. school apologizes for asking service members not to wear uniforms at Remembrance Day ceremony

 

[markppcli]

I doubt local law enforcement would be approaching the Legion about Blue, Red or White Knights.

The problem I have will most of these 'enthusiast' groups is many of their aspects ('three piece rocker' patch, Harley only rules, etc.) seem to go out of their way to mimic OMGs. Apparently Veterans MC in BC have been under surveillance for a while for ties to HA.

Definitely know some guys that spend an awful lot of time in the ha club house that are Veterans MC.

 

[markppcli]

If only the legions actually assisted Canadians with "to never forget". Instead, we have schools who want to ban uniforms at Remembrance day ceremonies.

N.S. school apologizes for asking service members not to wear uniforms at Remembrance Day ceremony

It was quickly dealt with, people make mistakes and should be commended when they own up to them. It’s a good example for their students.