CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Local ANAVETS club celebrating 100th anniversary

The Brandon Sun - 8/31/2018

The local Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans association will celebrate its 100th anniversary next month.

Located at 31 14th St., ANAVETS Unit No. 10 has a long history of serving Canadian veterans, their families and the community.

"Over the past 100 years, there have been thousands of veterans that have come to our unit," said centennial co-chair Al Dunham. "As in the past, today's vets and serving military members find their way here. They come for the fellowship, but most stay because they enjoy the atmosphere."

The club offers many sports and activities that are open to everyone, which help veterans transition back to civilian life.

Dunham served in the army from 1979 to 2016, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who were both veterans as well.

"Being a veteran, I get to see a lot of what the young guys need, and belonging to a veterans association, we can actually get ahold of Veterans Affairs, directly to the minister, and voice some of our concerns," he said.

Unit 10 was officially formed on Dec. 16, 1918, after a group of returning veterans from the First World War (1914-18) decided to start an association. They first met in the former Empire Hotel, before establishing a clubroom at 119 10th St., which was their home until after the Second World War.

Membership increased significantly, and they moved to a larger facility at 1228 Rosser Ave. in the 1950s. Membership continued to grow, and by 1983 the club moved into its current location. Members include military, RCMP, corrections officers, border guards, ex-cadets and citizens who support veterans.

"It's kind of amazing actually. You think that any service club, especially in this town with the turnover of different things, it's lasted 100 years. That's an awful big milestone," Dunham said.

To mark the centennial, a celebration will be held Sept. 21-22. More than 60 veterans have been invited to a luncheon on Sept. 21, followed by a dinner and dance on Sept. 22.

"We have invited our veterans, various local government and military VIPs, members of the unit and family to enjoy a night of celebration," Dunham said, adding that ANAVETS Dominion president Ron Smith, provincial president Gord Kent and other dignitaries will be in attendance.

Dunham said ANAVETS' mission statement is to support Canada's veterans, their families and the community.

"We try to do a lot for our community and our doors are always open to anybody -- veterans or civilians," he said. "It makes no difference to us, except we ask that everyone remember what the men and women in uniform have sacrificed for us and continue to do today."

» jaustin@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @jillianaustin