Centennial resident Sid Levangie is a Guardsman and Quartermaster in Training in the Legion Colour Guard.
By Pamela Collins
If you have ever attended our local Legion Branch 258 on Morrish Road for Remembrance Day you will have seen their impressive Colour Guard that participates in so many parades and events. This Colour Guard has been in service since 1966, started by World War II veterans.
Here are the members currently active in the Guard by rank:
Captain: Al French
RSM (Regimental Sgt. Major): John Bow
CSM (Command Sgt Major): Shaun Raggobeer
SGT: Walter Miller – also Quartermaster
CORPORAL: Ian Van Dyke
GUARDSMAN: Kevin Fisher
GDSM: Doreen Crocker
GDSM: Sid Levangie – also Quartermaster in training
GDSM: Hamilton Wiltshire
GDSM: Lisa Lee
GDSM: Brent Duguid
GDSM: Wayne Proulx
RSM John Bow. At the age of 99, John is an honorary member at this time as he no longer marches in the parades.
There are also two women in the Guard.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Captain Al French who provided a bit of history and current activity of the Guard. He has been a member of this Guard for 33 years. The only member with a military background is Sid Levangie, who was in the RCMP. These members are the pride of this Legion branch.
What makes this Colour Guard special is that in addition to carrying the main flags (national, provincial, Union Jack, and the Legion Branch banner), they are the only ones in Ontario to carry arms, which is then called the Honour Guard. The rifles they bear are for ceremony only: they are bolted, not loaded and stand for honouring the flags. Because of this distinction, they are often invited to march in parades and other events.
Each year they take part in the Warriors Day Parade at Exhibition Stadium that recognizes all factions of the military, police and RCMP. In August, they took third place in the parade competition, and their trophy and plaque are proudly displayed in the Legion Hall.
They later attended a parade at Legion Branch 10 honouring suicide victims within the First Responders. Al French said that was a very emotional experience for them as these people put their lives on the line each time they answer an alarm.
Centennial resident Sid Levangie received a Poppy Appreciation Award in 2024 for selling the most poppies for Remembrance Day in Ontario, bringing in $8,462.10! Sid is also responsible for distributing Remembrance Day flags to residents on Cherry Hill, Paulander, Roderick and Holmcrest Trail.
The Legion Guard never asks for payment for any service they attend. The branch supports the members with uniforms and other necessities.
They are always looking for new members for the Colour Guard. It is not necessary to have a military or police background or any specific qualifications. All that’s required is that they be a registered member of a Legion branch for at least one month, take part in training/practice once a month, and be willing to participate in parades and other events.
If you are interested in joining the Colour Guard, simply go to the front desk of Branch 258 on Morrish Rd. and fill out an application. Make your community proud!