The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105 Olds tank is nameless no more.
Early on Sunday morning, members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105 Olds, veterans from the King's Own Calgary Regiment Association, Olds RCMP Const. Brendan Ward, town officials, École Olds Elementary School staff and students met to hold a dedication ceremony for the tank.
After a religious service inside the building, a bagpipe player led the participants to the tank outside.
The tank's new name had been painted on two sides of the tank earlier in the week.
Chris Shaper, president of the Olds Legion, Darrel Sundholm, president of the King's Own Calgary Regiment Association, and Town of Olds Mayor Judy Dahl all made speeches, after which two plaques were presented to the legion to be fixed on Archie.
One brass plaque will give the name of the tank, while the other will explain its history and how it was named.
“The old tank did not have a name. This one, having belonged to the King's Own Calgary regiment ‘A' Squadron, had a name,” said Chris Shaper, president of the Olds Legion.
“We thought we would go to the schools and get the kids to do the naming. They all fell in love with Archie.”
A Grade 4 class at École Olds Elementary picked the name. Shaper already knows how the legion will thank the students.
“I have talked with the teacher and, at one time or another, when the students have time, I will take them through the tank,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the motor is gone. That's still interesting for kids to go through.”
The legion and the army historians are now positive that Archie had been in service in Olds at the armoury.
“We have researched it. This is one that was here up to 1964,” said Shaper.
The dedication ceremony marks the end of Archie's welcoming period. The plaques should be fixed on the tank before the end of the month.
