Donald (Don) McPherson has been serving Veterans as a member of The Royal Canadian Legion for 40 years.
Don served in the Canadian Army from 1956-64 and is currently a member of the Colour Party for the Centennial Calgary Branch 285. As a member of the Colour Party, he has participated in many yearly events, including Legion Honour guard for many Legion member funerals, Remembrance Day parade services at the Chinook Centre, the Vimy project, and acting as the Sergeant-at-Arms for branch elections. He also takes part in small Remembrance Day services at 10 different Veterans and senior homes throughout South Calgary, including the Masonic Lodge and Rockeyview General Hospital. These ceremonies are provided to those who are unable to attend services in their community.
He assisted with the organization of and participated in the Calgary Poppy Campaign parade. He also assists with the Field of Crosses sunrise ceremonies in Calgary. The services take place each morning in November, leading up to Remembrance Day, and finishes with one-on-one discussions with school children about the military, the First and Second World Wars, and Canadian peacekeeping missions. He also contributes to various community events such as the Bowness Stampede parade, the Haysboro Community Parade, and the Cedarbrae Community parade.
Don has contributed to the upkeep of the Branch building by weatherstripping the doors, repairing minor holes in the walls, mudding and painting when needed. He also supervised and rebuilt the Legion bar during the major renovations that took place over the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also the volunteer director of the Legion Youth Pipe Band. Lastly, Don was also a member of the Calgary Fire Department Honour Guard from 1969-2000, and in that role, volunteered in many capacities.