Members of Br. 642 Legion Pipes and Drums going on East Coast road trip

Members of the Branch 642 Royal Canadian Legion Pipes and Drums are going on a road trip and they are raising money to help cover costs.

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A dozen members, including many who will be showcasing their talents for the first time, are heading to the 49th Dominion Legion Convention being held Aug. 24-28 in Saint John, New Brunswick, said band and fundraising committee member Erin June.

This is the first major trip for the band since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

The band was planning a trip to Holland in 2020, but had to cancel due to the safety restrictions imposed by the pandemic, June said.

With the convention happening on the East Coast, June said, “That’s close enough for us to go.”

She said the Legion Pipes and Drums will be marching in a parade on Aug. 25, which will be their only performance during the convention.

“It’s worth it, because we love to show our respect to the veterans who let us live free,” June said.

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Band members are “all very excited to represent Chatham-Kent on the East Coast,” she said.

Pipe Major Walter Tomaszewski said Dominion conventions are held every two years and it will be six years since delegates were there in person.

He noted about 1,500 delegates will be attending and the Br. 642 Pipes and Drums will be the only legion band from Ontario attending.

“We have a dozen band members going this time and most of them have never marched in a Legion parade of this magnitude,” Tomaszewski said.

“I am hoping the sheer number of ‘blues and greys’ on parade, along with other pipe bands from that area, will help our new and younger members develop stronger bonds with all legions,” he added. “Marching for veterans and with veterans is what we do.”

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For June, this will be a family trip with her 10-year-old daughter, Lorelai, a parade trainee learning the snare drum, and her 21-year-old daughter Rinoa, a bagpiper, taking part with her in the parade.

Band members, Dick and Dottie Laurie, who have moved out East, are going to meet them in Saint John to join in the parade, “which is amazing,” she said.

The band has been working to raise funds to help cover costs, including holding steak and spaghetti dinners and a golf tournament, June said.

June is working with Wanda Bell, owner of Mrs. Bell’s Tea Room to organize a Scottish-themed Tartan Tea fundraiser on Aug. 10 with seatings at 11 am and 1:30 pm with limited seating. The cost is $35 a person.

Reservations can be made online at www.mrsbellstearoom.com/reservations or by calling 226-627-0248.

“There may be a bagpiper on hand and some draws will be made as well,” June said.

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