Joggins is harnessing the power of being small and drawing a really big exhibit to the community overlooking the Bay of Fundy.
Being neighbourly and looking out for one another in the small community turned into a huge opportunity for the local Legion when they didn’t even realize the opportunity was there.
“We owe it to the Joggins Fossil Centre’s [Education and Outreach Manager] Laurie Glenn Norris,” Legion Branch #4 secetary Dara Legere says. “They’re part of the museum network and they had information from the Juno Beach Centre on the Vimy to Juno travelling exhibit… Laurie thought it would be a great thing to bring to Joggins but they couldn’t host it, so they contacted us at the Legion.”
The result: Joggins’ Legion is currently the only stop in Nova Scotia to host the From Vimy To Juno exhibit.
Showcasing Canada’s involvement in France during two World Wars, as well as the inter-war period, one of the requirements of the Legion is to provide 100 feet of wall space for displays that will be coming from the Juno Beach Centre, Canada’s Second World War Museum in France.
“It’s a lot bigger show than I first thought it would be,” Legere said, “It is big.”
The travelling display has appeared across the country and is currently in Debolt, AB, at the Debolt and District Pioneer Museum. When it arrives in Joggins for its May 2 to May 12 run, the Legion will open its doors daily at 10 a.m.
Legere said he is especially proud they have the privilege of hosting the exhibit during the May 5th anniversary of the Liberation of Holland and V-Day on May 8. He hopes between the exhibit and special dates there will be increased awareness from not only the public but schools as well.
“We want to get the word out to as many schools as we can. It’s a great time of year for it, especially local ones,” Legere said. “This is something the school kids should see.”
Those attending the display will be able to experience a unique marriage of the legion’s own collection and dedication to its volunteers and the exhibit. In the local collection the legion pays tribute to what they refer to as the Joggins Six – six men killed during the First World War Battle of Vimy Ridge from the small town.
The legion is also asking anyone with a loved one who served during the wars and would like to have a photo displayed during the exhibit to bring it to the legion, Legere said. Veterans are also encouraged to come to not only see the exhibit but share their memories as members of living-history during wartime and peace.
Legere says hosting the exhibit is, indeed, a tremendous opportunity. If there are any hesitations at hosting the exhibit, it’s only a small hesitation for the small community that connects the old-fashioned way, Legere said.
“We’ll have to work around bingo.”
Related links:
From Vimy to Juno
Remembering the Joggins Six
http://www.vimytojuno.ca/en/news/remembering-the-joggins-six
