New president invites community to join Squamish Legion

The newly elected president of Squamish Legion is inviting the community to join and support the legion.

Located in Garibaldi Village, above Tantalus Bike shop, Squamish Legion is a great place to enjoy a drink and food and be part of the community, says Russ Robertson, the new president.

“You are more than welcome to come in and experience the coziness and the feeling of being a part of tight-knit community,” Robertson says.

Robertson, who took over the reins of the legion from Art Mclean, joined the army when he was 18, serving in the Armoured Corps and later as an intelligence operator. Born and brought up in Squamish, he also served in Bosnia twice in the 90s as part of a UN peacekeeping mission and also in Afghanistan as part of the NATO mission.

After having served in the army for 29 years, Robertson retired in 2018 and chose to stay in Squamish, where he has been actively involved with Squamish Legion. He is urging local residents to join the legion as a member and consider the legion for social outings.

“Please join the legion and bring friends and family. If you are thinking about going to a pub, consider the legion as we offer extremely reasonable prices and in a community setting,” he says.

The legion has also been spruced up in the past few years and no longer feels like a ‘hospital cafetaria,” he says. While the bar has been uplifted, the seating space has also been reorganised with new furniture for a cozier, friendly vibe.

The credit, Robertson says, goes to the past president Art McLean and the legion volunteers who serve with humility and dedication. “Our volunteers help out with meat draw, new membership and regular maintenance, and I really value them as the president,” he says.

What many people may not be aware is that Squamish Legion also helps support other local non-profits. In December 2021, the legion donated $6,000 to various community groups, and is now funding a bursary for a veteran to attend UBC.

Robertson says people don’t have to be a veteran to join the legion, and anyone in the community can join. “You are more than welcome to come in and experience the coziness and the feeling of being a part of tight-knit community,” he says.