Honorary Freeman status is to be officially awarded to Legion Scotland in a ceremony at the Crichton in Dumfries tomorrow.
The Legion marked its 100th anniversary last year and is well supported in Dumfries and Galloway through fundraising, with many veterans and their families receiving its assistance.
The council agreed to bestow the Freedom of the Region honour in September and tomorrow will see it happen with a parade at 12.45pm in front of the Easterbrook Hall in the presence of Lord Lieutenants, the Leader and Depute Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council and Rear Admiral Mark Beverstock, National President of Legion Scotland.
Legion branches throughout Scotland have been invited to attend with their standards, with the RBLS HQ Queen’s Colour being the senior standard.
The main Freedom ceremony will follow in the Crichton Memorial Church at 2pm.
Afterwards there will be a civic reception in Easterbrook Hall for invited guests.
Councillor Archie Dryburgh said: “I’m immensely proud to be the council’s Armed Forces Champion and delighted that Dumfries and Galloway Council has granted Honorary Freeman status to Legion Scotland.
“Legion Scotland makes a vital contribution to the lives of service personnel, veterans and their families.”
The charity makes a difference to the lives of veterans and their families through a variety of support.
“It also provides veterans with a comradeship and befriending programme.”
It will best be known by the public for its annual Poppy Scotland fundraising appeal and supporting Remembrance.
Its history dates back to June 1921 when Field Marshall Haig founded the Royal British Legion Scotland – now known as Legion Scotland – bringing together several charities that had been established to assist those returning from the First World War and residing in Scotland.
Around the same time, the Royal British Legion was formed to assist those returning and living south of the border,
Today, Legion Scotland has more than 140 branches and 60 associated clubs with more than 20,000 members.
Each branch is run by a volunteer committee, dedicated to supporting the armed forces community.
Councillor Rob Davidson, depute leader and civic head of the council, said: “As the Council’s Civic Leader, I’m very pleased that our council agreed to Grant the Freedom of Dumfries and Galloway to Legion Scotland.
“Along with our Freedom for the Royal Regiment of Scotland – awarded in 2008 in recognition of its service to the nation – and our Armed Forces Covenant, it demonstrates our region’s support for our armed forces.”
Only a handful of people and organisations in the region have received Honorary Freeman status including Peter Pan author and playright J.M.Barrie in Dumfries. In 1972, Moonlanding astronaut Neil Armstrong was granted the Freedom of Langholm and in 2012, entrepreneur and former Olympian David Stevenson was granted the Freedom of the region in Langholm, recognising his contribution to business and his community.
