Sooke Legion President Honors Veterans on Remembrance Day

Arthur Davies, president of the Sooke Legion, is urging the community to reflect on the significance of Remembrance Day, which takes place on November 11. This national holiday serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans throughout Canada’s history, shaping the freedoms enjoyed today. “What it says for me is how I appreciate the here and now and the country that we live in,” stated Davies. “Our rights and freedoms…are directly linked to those events and sacrifices that people made.”

A Life Dedicated to Service

Davies’ military career began in 1966, shortly after he graduated from high school in Fort William, Ontario. At just 18, he joined the army, entering a pivotal period defined by the Cold War. Stationed along Germany’s Rhine River, he served alongside British soldiers, prepared to deter a potential Soviet invasion. “The Soviet Union was not too far away, so we trained at least three months a year on exercises, being ready to deploy quickly and to be a deterrent,” he explained.

After three years in Europe, Davies transferred to the Work Point Barracks in Victoria, British Columbia. He later became a U.N. peacekeeper in Cyprus, where his role was to monitor tensions between Turkish and Greek forces. “They’d have little skirmishes here and there, and you’re there to report on it or to be…a deterrent between the two of them,” he recalled.

Davies’ career continued with a deployment to Norway, where he prepared Canadian troops for rapid response scenarios above the Arctic Circle. “It was all to do with the Cold War,” he said. “We got off the plane and got right into Norwegian vehicles and they took us right out – out into the wilderness and for lines of defence.”

Transition to Civilian Life

In 1974, after spending a decade in military service, Davies transitioned to a civilian role at the Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot in Victoria. He dedicated the next 40 years to managing and maintaining various military ordnance. “I just wanted to do something more technical and get a trade,” he explained. “I wanted to move on and get ready for the rest of my life.”

Reflecting on his journey, Davies expressed gratitude for the life he has built in Sooke. “The rest of it’s marriage, family, kids growing up and supporting the community,” he noted. For him, Remembrance Day serves as a vital reminder of the freedoms many take for granted.

“A lot of people misconstrue what we’re doing…to glorify war, but Remembrance Day is to remember the sacrifice of the First World War… and the Second World War and the Korean War and people that sacrificed for our ideals of our way of life,” he stated.

Community Participation on Remembrance Day

The Sooke community is invited to join the Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. at Evergreen Plaza, followed by a march to the cenotaph for a formal ceremony starting at 10:50 a.m.. Attendees can also visit the Sooke Legion afterwards, where adults will be served chili, chowder, and sandwiches, while youth can enjoy hot dogs and hot chocolate.

Established in 1926, the Sooke Legion has long supported veterans and the local community. Next year, the organization will celebrate its 100th anniversary, marking a century of commitment to honoring those who served. The legacy of service, as Davies illustrates, is a vital part of understanding and appreciating the values and freedoms that define Canada today.