The Royal Canadian Legion, Trois-Rivières Branch 035, and cadets

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION

Remembering, together

Every fall, a red poppy blooms on the coats of Trois-Rivières residents. Behind that symbol stands the Royal Canadian Legion and, closer to home, its Branch 035, present in Trois-Rivières since 1931.

Cadets and the Legion share the same mission: to remember those who served, and to serve their community in turn. Here is who Branch 035 is, and how its work connects with that of 2671 Army Cadet Corps and 772 Vanier Squadron.

The Royal Canadian Legion

The Royal Canadian Legion was born in Winnipeg in November 1925 as the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. It brought together First World War veterans' associations that wanted to speak with one voice. Incorporated by an Act of Parliament on July 17, 1926, it celebrates its centennial in 2026.

The poppy came a few years earlier. Inspired by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae's poem In Flanders Fields, it was adopted in Canada as the flower of Remembrance on July 6, 1921, at the initiative of Frenchwoman Anna Guérin. The Legion inherited that tradition and runs the Poppy Campaign across the country.

Its mission has not changed: to serve veterans, including serving military personnel, RCMP members and their families, to promote Remembrance, and to serve the community and the country.

Trois-Rivières Branch 035

Since 1931, Branch 035 has served the greater Trois-Rivières, Bécancour, Nicolet and Louiseville area. Its volunteer members support veterans and their families, organize commemorations and honour their comrades' service: for example, a Christmas dinner brings veterans together and treats are delivered to the oldest members.

The Branch does not work alone. It relies on military partners, including HMCS Radisson and the 12^e Régiment blindé du Canada, which host its meetings in their facilities, and the 62^e Régiment d'artillerie de campagne in Shawinigan. Among those partners, it also names the Navy, Army and Air cadet units of Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec, which it says it can "always count on" during its fundraising and commemorative activities.

To learn more, visit the Branch 035 website (in French) or write to Show e-mail address.

The poppy: cadets lending a hand

In our region, the Poppy Campaign runs from the last Friday of October until November 11, Remembrance Day. Legion members offer poppies in exchange for donations at partner businesses in Bécancour, Louiseville, Nicolet and Trois-Rivières. According to the Branch, the money raised goes directly to help veterans and local organizations that ask for support.

Across Canada, the Legion points out that cadets volunteer with the Poppy Campaign, support veterans and take active roles in commemorative ceremonies. For a young person, handing out a poppy is often the first chance to hear a veteran tell their story.

Remembrance Day

On November 11, cadets in uniform stand alongside veterans, military personnel and the public at Remembrance Day ceremonies. It is one of the most meaningful citizenship activities of the year for army and air cadets.

The bond between the Legion and cadets reaches all the way to Ottawa. Every Remembrance Day, the Legion invites one cadet from each element (Navy, Army and Air) to represent Canadian youth at the National War Memorial. Cadets from across the country also help dignitaries lay their wreaths.

The Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence

The Legion sponsors one of the two medals a cadet corps or squadron can award each year: the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence. It recognizes a cadet who stands out for citizenship and community involvement.

To receive it, a cadet must, among other things:

have met all the requirements of their unit's training program;
have taken part in at least three community activities in addition to those organized by their unit;
be regarded as an exemplary cadet by peers and superiors;
have enhanced the image of cadets in the community.

Each unit may award one medal per year, and a cadet can receive it only once. The recipient is chosen by the commanding officer and the medal is presented at the annual review ceremony; cadet orders provide that the commanding officer contacts the local Legion branch so that one of its representatives can present it. The old-silver medal bears the Legion's insignia; its ribbon is blue, with a wide gold stripe down the centre.

From cadets to Legion members

The bond does not end at 18. The Legion offers every cadet who reaches the age of majority a free one-year membership. It is a way for those who learned the meaning of Remembrance in uniform to keep serving veterans and their community.

That spirit of service runs through the history of both our units. 2671 Army Cadet Corps was born in 1961 within the Trois-Rivières regiment, today the 12^e RBC, a partner of Branch 035. 772 Vanier Squadron bears the name of Georges Vanier, wounded in the First World War, the very era in which the poppy tradition was born.

Key dates

July 6, 1921 – The poppy is adopted in Canada as the symbol of Remembrance.
November 1925 – The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League is founded in Winnipeg.
July 17, 1926 – The Legion is incorporated by an Act of Parliament.
1931 – Branch 035 is active in Trois-Rivières.
March 21, 1961 – 2671 Army Cadet Corps is authorized, formed within the Régiment de Trois-Rivières.
June 28, 1967 – 772 Vanier Squadron opens.
2026 – The Royal Canadian Legion's centennial.

Do you have memories with the Legion?

Poppy Campaign, Remembrance ceremony, a medal presented at an annual review: former cadets, parents and Legion members, your photos and stories help us tell the story of this bond. Write to us!

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