Community members and veterans gathered at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 32 in Bay Roberts, Newfoundland and Labrador, on Friday, April 17, 2026, to celebrate the 97th birthday of veteran Frank Boe.
Boe, a member of the branch, is a Korean War veteran who served with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. He was joined at the celebration by his son, Stephen, during the weekly Coffee and a Chat gathering held at the branch located at 108 Water Street.
Boe’s military service includes his participation in the Battle of Kapyong, which took place from April 22 to 25, 1951. During this critical engagement, Canadian troops held Hill 677 against opposing forces. The unit’s efforts were recognized with the United States Presidential Unit Citation, a rare honor for a Canadian group. According to Veterans Affairs Canada, the battle resulted in 10 Canadian deaths and 23 injuries.
The weekly Coffee and a Chat program at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 32 serves as a regular social hub for the community. During the birthday festivities, branch President Tom Lawlor accepted a $1,000 donation from immediate Past President Harold Brown. These funds, raised through the ongoing weekly program, are intended to support building repairs at the facility.
The branch, which received its charter on March 23, 1954, and opened as a club on May 9, 1955, has frequently used proceeds from the Coffee and a Chat gatherings to contribute to community needs. Over the past year, the initiative has supported several local and regional causes, including the Helping Hand food bank, the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services, O’Shaughnessy House, and various wildfire relief efforts.
