Levee highlights legion community, 'where somebody knows your name'

The Niagara-on-the-Lake branch of the Royal Canadian Legion held its annual New Year’s levee Wednesday, with its first order of business welcoming eight new members.

In addition to several toasts, to the sovereign, to the country, and to fallen comrades, MP Tony Baldinelli, MPP Wayne Gates, Regional Coun. Andrea Kaiser and Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa all spoke to those gathered at the levee with a common theme of the importance of community.

On New Year’s Day 2024, Baldinelli was one of the new members welcomed to the legion. His son Daniel was there with him, and would have liked to join with his father, but was too young.

This January 1 Daniel became a member himself. New Year’s Day is also his birthday, he told The NOTL Local, and this year he turned 19, the required age to join, making him the youngest Branch 124 member.

Both father and son spoke of being drawn to the NOTL community, and the important role the legion plays in its community.

Tony helps out with the annual Poppy Campaign, and Daniel said he has been there with him for a number of years.

“I want to continue to do that, and to do anything I can to help with the veterans, to raise funds, and support the local community with anything they need.”

They both also admit to being drawn to NOTL through their shared love of history.

“I’ve been interested in history since I was little, interested in the Second World War and who fought in it,” said Daniel, “and the history that is attached to it, starting many years before. That led me to join the Air Cadets (a St. Catharines branch), and then to this community.”

“I’ve had a natural affinity with this branch for several years, for the members, the camaraderie, and the important work the members do in the community,” said Tony.

Before entering politics, the MP worked for he Niagara Parks Commission with its stewardship of so much of local historic lands, and Daniel, now a first-year student in one of Brock University’s business programs, works part-time at The Tunnel, the tourist attraction at the  Niagara Parks Power Station.

They both speak of all the special events in NOTL that are like no others, including the Christmas Parade, Canada Day events, the Cake Walk, and all the historic occasions, such as the Cenotaph’s 100th anniversary celebration, which they both attended.

“This community understands the importance of preserving all that’s here,” said Tony.”We think of NOTL as very special.”

Also enjoying the levee were newcomers to NOTL, Anita and Mike Albanese. They moved to town about a year ago, and discovered the legion just a 10-minute walk from their home.

“As we started to get to know people in the area, and learn more about Niagara-on-the-Lake, we found it to be a very friendly community,” said Anita.

With a son a member of the 48th Highlander reserves, and Anita’s father having served in the Second World War, they were drawn to the legion, where they have been doing some volunteering.

“We feel very proud as Canadians to be part of it, and very lucky to have it in our community,” said Anita. “It’s a very vibrant branch.”

When MPP Wayne Gates addressed the crowd, he spoke of the work of legion branches across the country, “playing an incredible role in their communities.”

Gates went on to share the role a Niagara Falls branch of the legion played in his own family as he was growing up. “My family needed a hand up,” he said.

His father was a veteran who came back from the war suffering from PTSD. He was a great dancer,  said Gates, and he loved to go to the legion dances. “He’s been gone now for almost 30 years, and it was the legion who looked after my mom.”

His mother found friendship at one of the legion branches, right up to the last evening of her life, when she went out with her friends, said Gates.

“I”m so thankful for the legion, and that I live in a county that’s free. We have to make sure our veterans are taken care of in our society. They need homes, they need health care, they need to be fed.”

He also spoke of his Fort Erie friend Burd Sisler, a well-known Niagara veteran at the age of 109, “an amazing guy who served his country well. Let’s have a toast to Burd, and let’s get him to his 110th birthday.”

When Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa spoke, it was to focus on community. “What you have here in your community is so important.” he said.

He spoke of his son who became involved in the local Air Cadets, “which sparked an interest in service.” He is now in the Armed Forces, and “will be heading out later this month.” He couldn’t say where, said Zalepa, "but it will be to do something really important for our times.”

He spoke of his gratitude for the legion as “a place to go to spend time with each other, to come together, do some good for the community, and be with somebody who knows your name.”