Pipestone Flyer
The Leduc Canadian Legion Post #108 along with Legion Posts from Calmar #206, Devon #247, Thorsby #144, Warburg #205, and Millet #229 welcomed delegates from all parts of Canada, England, Australia, and the USA to the 45th Dominion Convention held at the Shaw Conference Centre this past week.
Delegates began to arrive on Friday, June 13th and local Post members hosted the welcome booth at the Edmonton International Airport to ensure delegates were informed of the week’s activities and to assist them in any way they could, from transportation needs to general information of the amenities of Edmonton and area. Each delegate received a welcome bag with gifts provided by the Leduc Chamber of Commerce, Leduc County & City, the Edmonton International Airport and a number of local businesses.
Every two years, the Legion hosts a Dominion Convention that draws member delegates from across the world. This year’s convention drew over 11,000 delegates representing over 300,000 members to the weeklong convention.
Among the first delegates to arrive were from Nova Scotia, and it was fitting as Nova Scotia was the host of the 44th Dominion Convention in Halifax. Among Nova Scotia’s delegates was Korean War veteran JJ O’Reilly from Dartmouth’s Post #160. JJ is from Cole Harbor, and after the Korean Conflict, served as an RCMP officer until his retirement. As more and more WWII vets pass on, JJ and his fellow Korean War veterans are rapidly becoming among the oldest members of the Legion.
After registering for the convention, many members attended the numerous workshops held on Saturday, June 14th. These workshops are designed to assist Legion Posts and members with improving local Post involvement of the various Legion activities, from membership, poppies, veteran services, to outreach programs. On Sunday, June 15th convention members participated in the opening ceremonies and the laying of the wreath. On Monday, the work began with a number of business sessions throughout the next three days. On Tuesday, June 17th Leduc Legion Post #108 was pleased to host a Western Steak BBQ for all interested delegates.
The Convention ended on Wednesday, June 18th with the installation of officers and the Closing Ceremony.
Pictured: Korean War Veteran JJ O’Reilly arrives at the Edmonton International Airport for the 45th Dominion Convention held at the Shaw Centre in Edmonton.