James (Jim) Philip Perry has dedicated more than two decades to serving Veterans in many ways through several organizations including The Royal Canadian Legion, the Canadian Association of Veterans of United Nations Peacekeepers (CAVUNP) and, most recently, the Commemorative Air Force.
Jim’s volunteer work goes back to the early 1980’s when he was serving, at the time, with the Lord Strathcona’s Horse. During that time, he often volunteered with the general public to educate them on the history of the Regiment. Jim served five years in the Canadian Armed Forces before establishing a 32-year career with Alberta Justice.
A talented bagpiper, Jim is the go-to for all events, services, parades and ceremonies that require a piper. Jim has been a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Centennial Calgary Branch 285 and the CAVUNP for 21 years, and has been piping for the organizations just as long. He has spent countless hours as a member of the Colour Party, piping for funerals of deceased Legion members, at Remembrance Day services during Veterans’ Week, sometimes playing twice a day for the week-long Legion services. This also includes piping for Remembrance Day services at Veteran and senior homes across South Calgary like at the Rockyview General Hospital, as well as at the Field of Crosses ceremonies. He is also Pipe Major with the Alberta Justice & Solicitor General Pipes & Drums; he travels to Legions across the Province of Alberta volunteering his time for Remembrance Day services and parades.
Jim also volunteered hundreds of hours to the creation of the Justice Pipe Band, including hundreds of hours of paperwork to develop standard operating procedures. This included the acquisition of uniforms and recruitment of members to play in a strictly volunteer pipe band. The band plays roughly 30 events a year around Alberta. Jim also serves as Pipe Major for several other Regimental Pipe & Drum bands and takes part in all their parades and ceremonies.
Jim also contributes to the Legion, by helping with fundraising events for the Juno Beach Museum and the annual Poppy Campaign kick off parade at the Chinook Centre. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped paint, clean and completed other maintenance tasks to re-open the Branch.
Jim is on The Honour Ride Executive Board and has been Ride Captain for 12 years. This motorcycle ride has raised close to $50,000 for the Military Family Resource Centre, Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society, the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund (CPS), and the Poppy Fund.
Lastly, in 2020, Jim joined the Commemorative Air Force as a volunteer. The Commemorative Air Force is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and showing historical aircraft at airshows, primarily throughout the USA and Canada. As part of the flight crew, he is responsible for conducting ground tours and inflight safety during flights. The Commemorative Air Force’s mission is to educate the public, honour Veterans and inspire people to remember the sacrifices of those who served.