Major milestone

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 47 is Labrador City is celebrating 50 years in the Labrador City.

Though there are only three war veterans left, the social network is still alive and the Legion still thrives today.

Branch 47 officially opened its doors June 17, 1960 and 50 years later organizers are planning celebrations to mark the occasion in a two-day event (May 29-30).

Legion president, Dave Flannigan, said a formal dinner and dance May 29 promises to be a special event to match the occasion.

"We have Da Boys playing for the dance for the first few hours and then a DJ (Wayne Ford) will take over, " said Flannigan. "It should be a good time. We have over 100 special guests and dignitaries who will be attending that."

The following day, the Branch will host the Dominion President's Garden Party, which will be a day for young and old alike to enjoy.

"Our dominion president is coming in from Ottawa, Wilf Edmond, he will be our guest speaker," he explained. "At the garden party we are going to have a activities for the children like face painting and loots bags. And, although, this is held primarily for the members of the Legion, we invite the general public to drop by and meet the dominion president as well."

At the end of the day, Flannigan added, there would be a wreath-laying ceremony on the newly erected memorial. Mr. Edmond will lay the wreath to commemorate all the members of Branch 47 in its 50 years of existence.

The three remaining veterans of Branch 47, Norm Peckham, Joan Robertson and Al Burford will play a big part in the celebrations, according to Flannigan, who said they are indeed the most important aspect of the Branch.

"These three people are our public relations," he said of the veterans. "They are the reason we are here. It's hard to put in words, but when it comes to the purpose of the Legion, it is to remember what these people did and why we have to keep it going."