Our handicapped accessable club is located at 3860 Legion St., Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, minutes from "The Mighty Niagara Falls".  There is ample on site parking. Accomodations (motels and restaurants) are within walking distance.

Branch Meetings

Executive Meeting - 1st Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm

General Meeting - 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm

No General Meetings in July or August

 

Lest we forget the men and women of Chippawa and the families they left behind.  The spirit of prayer uttered from the lips of soldiers, echoing through the trenches of war.  Bodies aching to make it home…back to a community of dedicated people, keeping the fires burning on the homefront and the children in line, as best they could.  In most cases, children only knowing “Dad” as a signature on the bottom of a love letter to mom…for some of us young, it is hard to understand the concept of why and what it was all about.

                A bond was formed between the men and women of war.  Never knowing their destiny from one day to the next…seeing the casualties, holding the victims.  They needed a place to go and release locked up memories, sorrow, even guilt and start a new bond to help those mentally and medically.  And so was born our Legion.  For our Veterans of war.  A social place, a special place.

                Sixteen men applied for a charter on May 27, 1946, and it was granted June 5, 1946.  Meetings started at the old Town Hall on Cummington Square.  A short time later they would move to the now, Masonic Hall, on Mechanic Street, which was then called, the Odd Fellows Hall.  After a fire there in 1950, the new Legion, Branch 396 was built on Legion Street, where it stands today.

                The Ladies Auxiliary charter was granted June 12, 1946, after 29 women volunteered to be part of the Legion and work with the men in a community spirit.  Many people think the ladies were in the Legion just to cook.  Contrary to this belief, they were the heart of fundraising for the community.  Funds were raised for community charities, sports programs, bursary and disaster relief.  Donations from the Auxiliary were given to the main Legion core each year for various projects and special needs.  Sadly, one year short of the Auxiliary’s 50^th anniversary, 1996, the ladies had to turn in their charter.

                Our Legion participates in many other special events, such as, tree planting ceremonies, school contests, sports programs in-house as well as outside the Legion.  We can see the times changing, for now members can bring their children in to socialize with them and teach them the Legion isn’t just a place for older veterans.  We the children of the war vets must try to carry on a good and worthwhile tradition.

                The most honoured, recognized and memorable event is, The Remembrance Day Service, held at the Chippawa-Willoughby Memorial Arena.  This day brings our war vets, military, clergy and general public together as one, to honour and give respect to those that fought and died for us.