July 10, 2015 – Orleans, Ontario – Veterans Affairs Canada
The Honourable Erin O’Toole, Minister of Veterans Affairs, helped induct Afghanistan Veteran Master Corporal (ret.) Jody Mitic into the Royal Canadian Legion Friday night in Ottawa. Minister O’Toole attended the initiation ceremony for new members at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 632 in Orleans and delivered remarks after being introduced by Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Orleans, Royal Galipeau.
Minister O’Toole urged Canada’s youngest generation of Military Veterans, the brave men and women who served Canada in the Balkans and in Afghanistan, to join the Royal Canadian Legion en masse to help revitalize the storied service organization.
“The Royal Canadian Legion has more than 1,400 halls in cities, towns and villages across Canada, and sadly, fewer and fewer Armed Forces Veterans are joining this vital group and sharing their experiences in these community hubs – that needs to change. Younger Military Veterans must get together and share experiences at and get assistance from the Legion,” Minister O’Toole said. “In the 1980s, the Legion had more than 600 thousand members, today, it’s down to about 300 thousand, and less than a third of those members are actually Military Veterans – that needs to change. The next generation of Armed Forces Veterans needs a place for comradery, and they should come to the Royal Canadian Legion.”
Earlier in the day, Master Corporal (ret.) Mitic was presented with a Ministerial Commendation in a ceremony honouring 28 recipients for their contributions in the service of Military Veterans.
Martin Magnan
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Veterans of Affairs
613-996-4649
Media Relations
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468
