100th anniversary commemorative stamp plaque presented to Kentville Legion

Representatives of the Royal Canadian Legion in Kentville say they were honoured to host federal dignitaries who presented a plaque featuring a stamp commemorating the organization’s centenary.

Kentville Legion public relations chairperson Debbie Surette said it’s very special to have Canada Post issue a stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion.

They were excited to hear that Kings-Hants MP Kody Blois and Canada Post president and CEO Doug Ettinger would be visiting the branch on Oct. 13 to present the plaque featuring the stamp.

She said the plaque, which branch president Richard Chapman accepted, would be displayed proudly in the legion hall.

“The 100 years is very significant in terms of the length of time that this organization has been around in Canada, that it has been growing, contributing, making sure that we support our veterans, their families, and continuing our Remembrance campaign,” she said.

Ettinger grew up in Kingston, attended West Kings District High School, and has family who live in the Annapolis Valley. He said he played baseball and hockey in Kentville and Berwick when he was a kid and worked a couple of summer jobs in Kentville, which he said is “near and dear to my heart.”

“I never miss an opportunity, even when I’m on vacation, to come and celebrate things in the Annapolis Valley. It’s my home,” he said.

Ettinger said 100 years is an important milestone for the legion, one that Canada Post knew it had to celebrate and recognize with big fanfare. Working closely with the legion, Canada Post officials developed the commemorative stamp. There was a special event held in Ottawa in July to celebrate its launch.

Ettinger said Canada Post has long supported veterans, issuing an annual Remembrance Day stamp that is always special and unique. It supported the 50th and 75th anniversaries of the legion with commemorative stamps and “the national, iconic poppy campaign” with a special stamp.

He said the Canada of today is far better off thanks to the legion’s efforts supporting veterans. The legion represents a century of service, remembrance, and “showing up for the families and all those concerned around veterans.”

“They need all the support we can bring to them, and we’re so appreciative,” Ettinger said.

Blois said he’s thankful to Canada Post for highlighting the important work of the Royal Canadian Legion through its stamp campaign, and the presentation was a celebration of two very important Canadian institutions.

He said that for the past century, the legion has been an important hub to serve veterans. Through its evolution, serving veterans has remained the legion’s core purpose while members also work to support the broader community. There are 10 branches across the riding of Kings-Hants.

Blois said he was very proud to visit the Kentville legion with Ettinger on Oct. 13 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of both the Royal Canadian Legion as an organization and the Kentville branch. He said it’s a testament when a branch is as old as the organization itself, and Kentville was foundational in its establishment.

“It’s important to reaffirm every time we can the importance of those who served and the importance of the work that the Royal Canadian Legion does,” Blois said.

While many legion branches across Canada have already received plaques featuring the commemorative stamp, Blois said Ettinger reached out to him saying that he would welcome the opportunity to spend an afternoon visiting legions and presenting plaques in person.

Blois said he jumped at the chance, and in addition to Kentville, they made similar presentations in Berwick and Mount Uniacke on Oct. 13.

Kentville Legion sergeant-at-arms Craig Laraway said the Royal Canadian Legion has more than 1,350 branches with hundreds of thousands of members nationwide.

“2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion, marking a century of service to veterans, military, RCMP, and their families, strengthening communities and honouring the memory of those who served,” he said.

Laraway said the Kentville branch, which is also celebrating its 100th anniversary, received its charter on Oct. 23, 1926.

He read a news release from Canada Post about the commemorative stamp, which was issued on July 17. The stamp pays tribute to the legion’s enduring legacy and its continued role in Canadian life.

Following the end of the First World War, veterans returning to Canada formed organizations to advocate for better care, fair treatment, and recognition of the sacrifices made by those who did not return.

On July 17, 1926, several of these organizations came together and were incorporated through an Act of Parliament as the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. The organization adopted its current name, the Royal Canadian Legion, in 1961.

The legion continues to support veterans and their families through a range of programs. One of the most recognizable is the National Poppy Campaign, which raises funds for veteran services and promotes remembrance through the distribution of millions of poppies each year.

The stamp features the Royal Canadian Legion’s banner alongside the dates 1926-2026 and the words 100 Years rendered in bold typography. The stamps are designed by Blair Thomson, feature photography by Jo Thomson, and are printed by Colour Innovations.

The stamp issue includes a booklet of six permanent domestic rate stamps and an official first day cover cancelled in Ottawa, where the Royal Canadian Legion is headquartered. The stamps and official first day cover are available at www.canadapost.ca and retail outlets across the country.