For years the members met in each other's homes. In 1939 Bradford MacKay was elected president. He had the difficult job of keeping the Branch alive during World War II when many members were serving in all parts of the world.
After World War II many veterans returned; and, as the number of members greatly increased, there was a demand for a Legion Home - a place for them to meet and socialize. In 1947 the following committee was appointed to find a suitable building: Bayfield Ellis, George Matheson, Herbert Riley and Dr. George Dewar. A building being dismantled at Mount Pleasant Airport was bought for five hun- dred dollars ($500.00). It was hauled to O’Leary in three sections by Neil MacDonald and reassembled on land donated to the Legion by Clifford Ellis - its present location.
At first the Legion consisted of a dance hall, a lounge, and a game room. In 1978 a two-storey extension was added to the dance hall. This extra space allowed for new lounges to be added on the upper floor.
The Legion makes donations to many charitable organizations such as Cancer Institute, Diabetes Association, Mentally Handicapped, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. It sponsors ball teams, bands and other activities in the community. It also donates prizes to Westisle students each year, and grants bursaries to sons and daugh- ters of veterans killed or wounded "in action” overseas.
The Legion’s chief money-raising functions are bingo, dances,
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