After nearly five years of hardship, the Russell Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion has officially reopened its doors and is calling on local veterans to reconnect and rediscover the vital role the Legion plays in community life.
Like many Legions across the country, the Russell branch faced significant setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, closing its doors from 2020 to 2022. Just as it reopened in February 2022, tragedy struck when a devastating fire forced another closure just months later in May.
Despite insurance delays and numerous challenges, the branch was able to rebuild the damaged portions of the building and reopened once again in February 2025.
“It’s been a long journey,” said Cynthia Paquette, First Vice-President of the Russell Legion. “But we’re back, and we’re more committed than ever to supporting our veterans and community.”
Throughout the closures, the Legion remained active. Annual Poppy campaigns and Remembrance Day services continued without interruption, and the branch-maintained support for cadet organizations in Casselman and Embrun. The branch serves veterans across a wide rural area, from Casselman to Morewood.
Now, the Legion is working to rebuild its membership and reconnect with veterans who may have lost touch during the years of disruption.
“One of our biggest challenges today is simply reaching the veterans in our region,” Paquette added. “We hope that by sharing our story, we can raise awareness and welcome more veterans back through our doors.”
That message is echoed by Paul Brown, president of the Russell Legion for the past year and a half, who emphasized the importance of accessibility and inclusion.
“Our biggest challenge is getting the word out that we’re open, and getting the word out that this place is accessible to everyone, not just to veterans or family members of veterans,” Brown said. “This building, we want it to be – and it is – a cornerstone of the community. We want people to see this as their place to come and be with their friends, or meet family members, or come to events.”
The Russell Legion is founded on three core values. The first one is to support the veterans: “to support and advocate for our veterans and their families.” The second one is to promote remembrance: “remember and honour those who served our great nation”. And the third is to support our community: “be a community cernstone, focused on service and camaraderie”.
Looking ahead, the Legion’s future goals are rooted in its first value: supporting veterans. A key objective is to identify and engage local veterans, understand their needs, and work toward meeting them.
To those veterans who may currently feel disconnected, Brown offered this message: “This is your home, this is your place to be. We are here to support you. Don’t suffer in silence. If you have questions, come and ask them (to us). This place is for you.”
With renewed energy and a rebuilt space, the Russell Legion is looking ahead, aiming to offer a place of community, remembrance, and ongoing support for those who served.
For more information about the Russell Legion or to get involved, community members and veterans are encouraged to contact the branch directly.
