The Royal Canadian Legion celebrated Canada Day and its 100th birthday this July 1, with NOTL’s Branch 124 hosting its annual Canada Day party and BBQ.
A variety of reasons to celebrate brought guests to the festivities, but one sentiment united the party-goers: “I’m proud to be Canadian.”
“Canada Day is the most important day for this country, the most important day of the year,” NOTL resident Blair Yauch said. “I’m absolutely proud to be a Canadian.”
Yauch and friends Barb and Danny Shorrock attend the Legion’s Canada Day celebration every year, each with their own reason — or person — to honour.
“My dad was actually in a war,” Danny said, referring to the Second World War, “so I’m proud of every soldier.” He added that through supporting the Legion, it feels “great” to honour his dad.
For Barb, Canada Day is a reminder of her grandfather’s sacrifice.
“My grandfather was … one of the last surviving bombardiers and actually lived here in Niagara-on-the-Lake for many years,” she said. “To come here and celebrate in NOTL, you’re very proud to be here.”
Yauch’s ties to Canada Day extend to his wife’s relatives as well as his own, stating “we have to stand proud for those people that stood for us and made this country.”
“My father was an American citizen … he became Canadian, and it was the biggest day of his life,” he said.
Others acknowledge the opportunities Canada provided them.
“I came in 1991 from a communist country, so for me it was a big change to swear allegiance to the Queen,” said Anton Kacicnik, who immigrated from Slovenia.
Kacicnik and his wife, Carolynne Varney, made their first trip to the Legion this Canada Day and left as members.
“I had a feeling that it was going to be the right place for us today, and I’m so glad we (came),” Varney said. “It has all of the good energy, and just look at the crowd. It’s a sea of red and white.”
As for current reasons to celebrate, Kacicnik said Canada’s success in the FIFA World Cup makes him proud, particularly after the team defeated South Africa and advanced to the round of 16, the furthest the men’s team has ever progressed in the tournament.
Dianne Ling and Mel McClure, who immigrated from England and Scotland, respectively, say the Legion’s party is a “wonderful get-together” and a place to enjoy “cold beer and music.”
Although the friends disagree on some political topics, such as immigration, Canada Day is a chance to celebrate the country together.
“I might not agree with somebody, where they came from or their religion or anything, but I’ll fight for their right to … do what they want to do,” McClure said.
“It’s really important to celebrate our country right now, and I think it’s a great country. I came here in ’74,” Ling said, citing American affairs as a reason for Canadians to be proud.
Chrystal Haverstock, public relations representative of Branch 124, says the Legion is grateful for the large turnout every year. New members can currently join without fees, which normally cost around $50, in honour of the Royal Canadian Legion’s 100th anniversary.
“Legions are offering a free membership until Dec. 31, and then you can decide if you want to hang in there and pay your membership fees,” she explained. “A lot of our (Second World War) vets have passed on, so it’s open to the public and it is wide open for young people.”
No matter the reason for recognizing Canada Day, the Legion is a safe space, Haverstock said.
“This is a really good country and we should appreciate it for what it is,” Ling said. “One of the best countries in the world.”
