News

The Legion Veterans Village groundbreaking event will take place Thursday, May 23, 2019 at our Whalley Legion Branch 229 location, 13525 106 Ave., Surrey, British Columbia. 

We’re pleased to announce that Mark Steele, Deputy Zone Commander North Shore Howe Sound, has been selected as the official Legion representative on the Canadian Forces (CF) Nijmegen March Team!

Only one representative is selected nation-wide, and Mark has received the honour to train and travel as part of the CF team! The CF Nijmegen March Team has been sponsored by The Royal Canadian Legion since 2000.

“I’m going to Holland with the Canadian Forces. Every year for the past 60 years the Canadian Forces has gone on a march through Holland in an annual event called the Nijmegen March. 2012 is the 93rd year of the March, (July 17th – 20th).

Mark left July 12 from CFB Comox on Vancouver Island for Europe, picking up the other Canadian teams from across the country along the way. Check out the commemorative arm band identifying Mark’s team, Marine Pacific Esquimalt “MARPAC.” There are 15 teams from across Canada travelling to Holland for the March, Mark’s excited to be in one of them!

Mark arrived in Lille, France on Thursday night (July 12), and was greeted by a police escort (isn’t it nice to travel with the US Ambassador)?

Today the March officially begins! Each day of the marches is named after the biggest town it goes through – today is the day of “Elst”. Mark is marching 44km, a total of 9 hours!

Above: Mark was off to an early and rainy start

Marching to and through Wijchen on the second day is described by many participants as a bit of a drag– luckily marching songs are a part of the Nijmegen tradition and takes marcher’s minds off the pain. Dutch spectators come to hear the military teams sing – they don’t mind listening to tone-deaf soldiers.

The third day is famous for the Zevenheuvelenweg (“Road of the Seven Hills”) and is the most beautiful day of the marches. The march went through the Nijmegen cornfields, and the towns of Malden and Mook, until reaching Groesbeek.

Above: Zevenheuvelenweg. Quite a mouthful!

Above: General Cotten awarding Mark the Nijmegen medal

Mark finished the Nijmegen March today!

Above: Marchers carrying bundles of gladioli

We received the following email from a Dutch family that wishes to express their gratitude to the Canadian Armed Forces for their role in liberating Holland in the Second World War.

We’re pleased to announce that Shaun Francis has been selected as our Legion representative on the Pilgrimage of Remembrance!

Shaun will be sharing his journey with us – his experiences, insights, and photos. You can follow his journey here.

This year’s Pilgrimage starts on July 6th and runs until July 20th – come back each day for updates and photos!