Legion dinner brings local veterans together with Canada’s oldest man

Fort Erie’s Royal Canadian Legion branch was filled with stories of service and survival on Wednesday as veterans gathered for its annual appreciation dinner, joined by 110-year-old Burdett Sisler, Canada’s oldest man.

The Veteran’s Appreciation Dinner, financed by the Poppy Fund, brought together veterans from the Second World War, the Korean War, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and UN peacekeeping missions.

Attendees were reminded of both the sacrifices made and the changing face of veteran life in Fort Erie.

“The purpose of the Legion is to support our veterans in any way we can, and this is one thing we do every year just to honour them for their service,” said Murray Morlog, Legion Branch 71 President.

Attendees included Korean War veteran Romeo Daley, 93, who recalled the hardships of his service.

“I don’t care if you’re religious or not, but I’ve been to hell and back, and I’m happy to be here,” Daley said.

He spoke about how the Legion itself has changed, now run mostly by civilians rather than veterans.

In his view, newer generations of service members are not always welcomed or recognized as veterans, despite their time overseas. Daley also noted how Canada’s military has shifted, with less focus on peacekeeping compared to the past.

He also shared some of the frustrations veterans experienced in having their service minimized.

“They thought Korea was not a war; it was a police action. Well, if it was a police action, why didn’t they send the cops over?” he asked.

Daley said it took more than 40 years for proper recognition and medals to be issued.

For longtime Legion members like Patricia Street, the dinner remains a chance to strengthen ties within a shrinking community.

“I think it’s important for the veterans to get together, because if veterans don’t look after each other, nobody else will,” said Street.

Sisler, the sixth oldest Second World War veteran in the world, was warmly welcomed. His son Norm told Fort Erie Radio his father still enjoys time with others.

“He can get very cantankerous, but when he gets out, he’s always a social butterfly. He likes to get out and be around people,” said Norm.

With fewer veterans present each year, Legion staff said the event still remains vital to the community. The Legion continues to invite new members, as well as veterans of any age or conflict, to help sustain its mission of remembrance and support.

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