07/31/2026
July 31, 2026
Letter from the President
Dear Members and Friends of Royal Canadian Legion Britannia Branch #7,
I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful summer. As we reach the halfway point of the season and look toward August, many of us are making the most of time with family and friends, enjoying vacations, or simply appreciating the longer days. Before long, however, we will be preparing for what promises to be an exciting and meaningful autumn for our Branch.
As we continue building the future of our Service Branch model, I am pleased to share an important milestone in our journey.
On Sunday, September 20, 2026, Britannia Branch #7 will proudly co-host the Royal Canadian Legion Centenary Celebration with Esquimalt Dockyard Branch #172 at the Dockyard Branch. This special occasion marks the 100th anniversary of The Royal Canadian Legion in Canada. More importantly, it represents the beginning of what we hope will become one of Britannia Branch #7's annual signature events—a tradition that celebrates our remarkable organization while bringing together members, Veterans, RCMP Veterans, their families, and our wider community. A poster will be sent out shortly with all the details but mark this date on your calendar!
Our Branch continues to grow because our membership comes from every corner of Victoria. Whether you are a Veteran, currently serving, a family member, or someone who simply believes in the Legion's values of service, remembrance, and community, there is a place for you at Britannia Branch #7.
Our vision is to increase awareness of our Branch while creating meaningful opportunities for fellowship, service, and community engagement. We see two cornerstone annual events that will help accomplish this as part of our Service Branch model.
The first is our Remembrance Day Poppy Campaign, one of the Legion's most important traditions. Here in Victoria, the campaign is administered through the Victoria Remembrance Day Committee Poppy Fund and supports local Veterans, their families, and community care programs. Each year, millions of poppies are distributed across Canada while communities gather to honour those who served during the November 11 ceremonies.
The second is our growing Sports Program. Our Britannia #7 Dragons 8-Ball Team has become an outstanding ambassador for our Branch, helping raise awareness of Britannia Branch #7 throughout the Legion community and beyond. This year, the team achieved an extraordinary accomplishment by capturing the 2026 Dominion Command 8-Ball Championships in all three divisions—Singles, Doubles, and Team competition. Since the Dominion Championship was introduced, Britannia
Branch #7 has now earned championship honours on three separate occasions—an achievement of which every member can be proud.
These events represent far more than competition or celebration. They provide opportunities for education, mentorship, fellowship, and friendship while showcasing the values that have defined The Royal Canadian Legion for the past century. They also create welcoming opportunities for both long-time volunteers and those discovering Legion membership for the very first time.
The Royal Canadian Legion was founded on the belief that we are stronger when we work together. By continuing to build these annual traditions throughout the City of Victoria, we hope to unite Veterans, members, families, and supporters of every background while demonstrating the quality, versatility, and spirit of Britannia Branch #7.
I sincerely hope you will join us on Sunday, September 20, 2026, as Britannia Branch #7 and Esquimalt Dockyard Branch #172 celebrate this historic Centenary together. Your participation, enthusiasm, and support will help establish traditions that we hope will continue for generations to come. A poster will be distributed shortly with all of the pertinent information.
Following our Centenary Celebration, we will once again turn our attention to the 2026 Victoria Poppy Campaign. This year's campaign has been extended by one additional week and will run from October 24 through November 11. The extended campaign provides even greater opportunities for members—particularly our newest members—to work alongside experienced volunteers, meet fellow Legion members, become involved in Branch activities, and participate in one of the Legion's most meaningful and recognizable traditions.
To support the expanded campaign, our Britannia Branch #7 Poppy Mall Captains will soon begin recruiting volunteers to help staff our poppy tables throughout the city. I encourage everyone to consider giving a few hours of their time. Whether you are a long-time volunteer or participating for the first time, your contribution truly makes a difference.
As we celebrate our Legion's first 100 years, we are also building the foundation for its next century. Together, we are strengthening our Branch, honouring those who served, welcoming new members, and ensuring that Britannia Branch #7 continues to be a vibrant, respected, and engaged Service Branch within the Victoria community.
Thank you for your continued support, friendship, and commitment to our Branch. I look forward to seeing many of you at our Centenary Celebration in September and again throughout this year's Poppy Campaign.
"As we celebrate our first century of service, let us remember that a Legion is not defined by bricks and mortar, but by the hearts of its members, the service they give, and the commitment they make to Veterans, one another, and the communities we proudly serve."
Honouring Our Past • Serving Today • Building Tomorrow
Warm regards and respectfully submitted,
Keith J. Yow President
Royal Canadian Legion Britannia Branch #7
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.britannia7legion.com
