This month there was a meeting at the Royal Canadian Legion, Men of Vision, Branch #15 to vote on whether to remove the “Men of Vision” from the title. A vote was taken, and it was decided that the name will remain unchanged. 

However, there are certainly lots of things taking place at the Cochrane Legion with the return to normal post-pandemic.  

Like many businesses, the Cochrane Legion was hit hard by the pandemic. The organization relies heavily on community support and fundraising to keep operating. Fortunately, the Cochrane Legion enjoys strong community support even during tough times. Cochrane Legion President Steve Jepson says, “It is good being part of a very giving community and Cochrane really helps us and their veterans.” 

Jepson, who is coming up on the halfway point of his two-year term in February says things are looking up for the Cochrane Legion #15. He believes the turnout for the Remembrance Day Ceremony and the support for the Poppy fund was very indicative of the strong support and of course, beneficial for veterans and the Legion.  

At the end of 2022, the Legion sold out an Elvis impersonator show that was so well received, they sold out another show ahead of Valentine’s Day in February. The folks at the Legion also rang in 2023 with a New Year’s Party, the first in several years, that was well attended. Then in January, they celebrated Robbie Burns Day with haggis and all.  

Along with regular events like the Friday Night BBQ (starting up again in February), meat draws, bingo, shuffleboard, and darts, the Legion is presenting Sunday Jams. Jepson says, “The jams are doing very well. Generally, Sundays we are not open and so we started opening for one Sunday jam and now we're moving to two Sunday jams. We have a lot of fantastic talent in the township of Cochrane and the surrounding area. The last jam we had upwards of about ten artists.” 

The Legion also hosts pool, dart, crib, and shuffleboard tournaments. A group of young people visited the Legion last year and could not believe all the fun games there were to play. Jepson says, “They could not get enough of it, it was great. It is old games, but it is new for a lot of people, and we pride ourselves on having strong teams that go to competitions.” As a matter of fact, the Legion will be hosting its Dominion Crib Tournament in April which will see 60 to 80 participants. 

Jepson believes that one of the reasons that the Cochrane Legion has a strong following is because they listen to the members and to what is going on outside the Legion walls.  Jepson says, “I think that is what is important and what has helped us.” For example, one of the members came up with the idea of having a mural painted on the side of the building which would recognize veterans and the poppy and other things that would show the history of the organization. A couple of local artists have been lined up who will donate their time to create a mural that will be pleasing to the eye.  

The Royal Canadian Legion, Men of Vision, Branch #15 has approximately 400 members, but you do not have to be a member to enjoy all that it has to offer. However, being a member does offer benefits such as reduced ticket prices at events and the Legion would be more than happy to welcome you to the organization.