About Us – President’s Message

On behalf of the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada Unit #376 thank you for checking out our Website. The Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada Unit #376 is located in beautiful British Columbia. We received out charter in 1972. The Clubhouse is located at 150 Gray Road, Kelowna BC V1X 1W7. We have a membership numbering 124 members.

Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada – History

The organization quotes 1840 as an approximate date of foundation. In 1840 Queen Victoria gave a charter to create an ANAVETS unit in Montreal. Many units may have dated to as early as the Conquest of New France in the 1700s.

The organization’s name comes from the remnants of British and French regiments. Regiments who stayed behind when recalled at the end of their tours of duty to protect the colonies. To exchange information on service benefits and to fraternize, the men organized. They called themselves “the Army Veterans in Canada” to distinguish themselves from other colonies. This reference to Canada became integral as incorporated by the Government of Canada in 1917

After the War of 1812, sailors from the Royal Navy who remained in Canada joined with the Army Veterans. The name became the Army and Navy Veterans in Canada.

During the Second World War the organization welcomed members of the newly formed air force. In 1946 Parliament changed the name to the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada. ANAVETS has become an acceptable short form to identify the organization.

Purpose

To unite fraternally, persons who have served in His Majesty’s armed forces or any auxiliary force thereof or in the armed forces or any auxiliary force of any nation allied to the British Commonwealth of Nations engaged in an active combat zone and persons who support the purposes and objects of the Association, which Association shall be a non-partisan and non sectarian body for the purpose of good fellowship, mutual improvement and assistance, and patriotic endeavor and service to Canada and the British Commonwealth of Nations;
To increase the public influence of veterans by organization, by parades and by giving as an entity expressions of opinion upon public questions affecting the rights of veterans or concerning the welfare of the whole or any part of the British Commonwealth of Nations;
To stimulate the spirit of patriotism in Canada and promote closer unity and co-ordination within the British Commonwealth of Nations;
To assist the British Commonwealth of Nations when occasion requires in enlisting recruits for His Majesty’s forces;
To acquire, maintain and operate clubs, homes and meeting places for the benefit of veterans, and to furnish, stock and equip the same with such furniture, furnishings, plants, animals, implements, equipment, appliances, libraries, and means of entertainment and amusement, as may be considered desirable by the Association;
To acquire and maintain museums in connection with any premises of the Association for the interest, education, or benefit of its members;
To levy upon its members, or upon bodies to whom it has granted charters as authorized herein, fees or assessments from time to time as may be required for the support of the Association and the carrying out of its objects; and to raise funds for the purpose of the Association by such means, with others, as providing entertainment, operating canteens and places of refreshment and amusement; and
To assist any of His Majesty’s naval, military naval air forces on active service, by establishments for the rest and comfort of, and as meeting places for those composing such forces.

Organization

ANAVETS has a three-tier system that follows the political system of Canada. At the federal level, Dominion Command is located in Ottawa. This is the Headquarters of the organization and it oversees all units. British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia have Provincial Commands. Each Province preside over the provincial activities of their Units. Executive Council run each Unit.