2009 126 Regimental Birthday Niagara

[Mike Blais CD]

A fun day was had by all! The toast was made as per tradition, 1 ounce dark rum, one ounce warm water, one teaspoon of brown sugar. My God, it never tasted so sweet!



The Branch and our guests share in a drink. Those unfamiliar with our traditions were apprised of the history of the Ortona Toast and shared with us our traditional values. A special thanks to Tony Giacomelli and Eric Anderson for driving down from Hamilton. To those who have already headed to the southern warmth, we missed your presence. Be safe, see you in the spring... 

Pro Patria     

[Mike Blais CD]

Today's brochure for those who cannot attend.


Greetings to all Royal Canadians & Friends of the Regiment.

As we gather to celebrate 126 regimental birthday of The RCR, I would extend to you our sincere wishes for a safe Christmas season and a prosperous New Year on behalf of The Royal Canadian Regiment Association.


The Niagara Branch has been very busy in 2009. Two successful Support the Troops rallies were organized for Niagara Falls and Fort Erie in an effort to raise funds for the Cpl Storm CD memorial Playground and we participated in the traditional Canadian-American 40 and 8 service, the Ceremony for the Unknown Soldier and Decoration Day parades in Niagara Falls, Merritton and St Catherines. On July 11th, we hosted Major General Walter Holmes OBE CD, Colonel of the Regiment, for the traditional RCR Pachino Day dinner. In August, the Branch joined the Canadian Association of Veterans of United Nations Peacekeeping operations for a very special Peacekeeping Day Parade at Mount Hope Airport, Hamilton. Later in the month, we supported our friends and comrades of the Korean Veterans Association as they conducted their annual pilgrimage to The Wall in Brampton, Ontario.

This Remembrance Day, the Niagara Branch dispatched representation in eight communities and provided direct support for Mr. And Mrs. Crooks as they attended their first Port Colborne Remembrance Day service since their son, Tyler, was killed in Afghanistan last March. Memorial services for Pte Clayton Morningstar, RCR, Battle for Hill 187, Korea, May, 1953 and Cpl Albert Storm CD, RCR, Operation Medusa, Khandahar, Afghanistan, 2006, were conducted on the anniversary of these brave Royal Canadians deaths.

 
2010 promises to be a challenging year for The RCR and the RCR Association. Our brothers in arms serving with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, will once again tread in Harm’s Way in Khandahar, Afghanistan. Locally, we will be organizing and participating with a variety of events with the hope that all Royal Canadians and Friends of the Regiment will join us as we endeavour to Foster and Maintain the well being of The Royal Canadian Regiment in the Niagara Region.

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all Royal Canadians and Friends of the Regiment!

Pro Patria
The RCR Association – Niagara Region

[Mike Blais CD]

Mike Blais and Tony Giacomelli after the Ortona Toast.

[Mike Blais CD]

Paratrooper Ernie Wetzel on the right...

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