Mayor Shari Green, WWII veterans John Kuharchuk and Armand Denicola, and Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond celebrate after cutting the ribbon to officially open Branch #43 at its new location

Prince George, BC – "We've come home"…

It was a comment made by a member of the Royal Canadian Legion's Ladies Auxiliary, and shared by Legion Padre, Susan Scott, during her dedication of the new location of Branch #43 at 1116 6th Avenue.  It was also a sentiment felt by the many Legion members who gathered with local dignataries for today's ceremony in the newly renovated Juno Lounge, named in honour of local World War II veterans John Kuharchuk and Armand Denicola.

The ceremony drew to a close a tough chapter in Branch #43's recent history when financial difficulties and an aging, large facility on 7th Avenue had the branch executive contemplating a permanent closure in early 2012. (click here, for previous story)

"It took a long time to get to this point," President, Bruce Gabriel told those gathered.  Gabriel credited a huge community effort in securing the branch not only survived, but will now thrive.  "I tell everybody – forget the old building – that was just a building.  This is the Legion, (sic) the Legion is the people who come in through the doors."

Gabriel said local MLA Shirley Bond was instrumental in ensuring the branch re-opened, helping the executive to secure a large grant and enlisting others in the cause.  Bond noted the extreme generosity of many in the community, "I just want to say to the people who stepped up with their cheque books – and there were people who were very generous here – and to the people who used their elbow grease and who just kept believing we could do this, today is a celebration."

"I think the thing that touched me the most was the fact that if you'd come down here, there would be veterans, or volunteers, or families painting and scrubbing and moving furniture and cleaning.  So it wasn't like, 'Let's just ask for money and make it happen,'" said Bond.

"Everybody did their part, as Bruce said, and I can't tell you how thrilled I am that we are not one of those communities across the country where Legions are disappearing.  Because we didn't want that for Prince George and today is a testament of how everyone – when you work together for the right reasons – you can make things like this happen."

Gabriel singled out local business partners, Ray Westerlaken and Vern Norbraten, for their invaluable contributions. "Not only did they buy the (old) building – we had a free lease for a year, but that didn't stop, then they became members, then they really got to work," he said.  "They secured this place for us – we have a really good lease and they've been here ever since."

Both men were in attendance for today's ceremony.  Westerlaken – shown in photo at right with his six-year-old daughter, Claire, and three-year-old son, Jack – is an engineer who used his expertise to 'come through for us many, many times,' said Zone Commander, John Scott.

As a long-time member and Past President of the branch, Scott said today was an emotional one, "This is a bucket-list for me and I guess that's why I'm emotional.  It was a big job – we got it done."