The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139 celebrated its 90th anniversary Saturday, Oct. 19.
With a warm roast beef dinner and cocktails, legion members and supporters came together to celebrate the branch's history in Williams Lake. Branch 139 received its charter on Sept. 6, 1934, initially meeting in a qonset hut near the Tribune on First Avenue before its current building on Borland Street was built in 1958.
The branch's current president, Walt Cobb, was the event's MC, and several awards and certificates of appreciation were presented throughout the night.
Notably, lifetime member Joyce Norberg was honoured with the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) and, in extension, the Palm Leaf which is the highest award a legion member can receive.
Lifetime legion member Bonnie O'Neill told the Tribune the award recognizes legion members for their outstanding service to the organization rather than for their years of service. The Palm Leaf is not given to any legion member, in fact, a series of approvals from as far as the Royal Canadian Legion's Dominion Command is required before it can be awarded.
"Joyce has always gone above and beyond," O'Neill said in an email to the Tribune. "This is the way we (fellow members) ask that she be recognized."
Vivian MacNeil, herself having received the Palm Leaf in the past, presented the award to Norberg calling her a "staunch legionaire" and referencing her many contributions to the legion including donating her own paintings and organizing fashion shows. Norberg has served as president and treasurer of Branch 139, and is known for her great leadership which O'Neill said places Norberg "in a league of her own."
The legion celebrated its 90th anniversary just over a month after the actual anniversary date, Sept. 6, on which three members were awarded medals for 50 years of service.
