The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10 in Amherst, Nova Scotia celebrated its 100th anniversary on July 18, 2026 with a community barbecue that brought together families, veterans, and local police for a day of food and friendship.
Children got to enjoy cake and climb inside a police truck, courtesy of officers from the Amherst Police Department, highlighting the strong partnership between the veterans’ organization and the town’s police service.
The centennial event came one day after the national organization’s official 100th anniversary on July 17, the date when the Royal Canadian Legion was first incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1926. Across Canada, more than 1,350 Legion branches held local celebrations, but Amherst’s stood out for its focus on bringing the community together.
Branch 10, located at 47 Laplanche Street, is led by President Roy Porter and Sergeant-at-Arms Jack Perry, who have been active in local veteran recognition projects. The branch has long served as a gathering place for veterans and their families, and the centennial barbecue was a chance to reflect on that legacy while looking ahead.
The Amherst Police Department’s participation reflected its community policing approach. “The department has liaison officers actively participating with the community in a number of national as well as local programs,” according to the department’s website, which lists Cops for Kids among its youth initiatives.
The Royal Canadian Legion now counts roughly 300,000 members, with a surge of 100,000 new members in the first half of 2026. In Amherst, the anniversary offered a chance to celebrate not just veterans’ service, but the Legion’s role as a community hub.
