Delhi Legion raises funds for commemorative crosswalk
- Alex Hunt
- Aug 27
- 3 min read
Alex Hunt
Advocate Correspondent
Legion welcomes the community to their Sept. 25 open house
With a week of open house events approaching on Sept. 21-27, the Royal Canadian Legion in Delhi, Branch 125, is fundraising for a veteran’s commemorative crosswalk, aiming to provide a visible tribute in Delhi.
Originally, they had hoped to have the crosswalk in place by Remembrance Day 2025, but the installation has been pushed back to next year. The Legion is still currently raising money for the crosswalk, which currently sits at $5,300.
Neil MacIsaac, first chair at the Delhi Legion and a veteran service officer, said the Legion needs to raise up to either $8,000 or $12,000. It costs $1,000 a year to maintain the crosswalk on a yearly basis, he noted.
“Norfolk County wants us to pick three locations for the commemorative crosswalk that we would like to have, and they will pick the best spot to put it,” said MacIsaac. “One spot we're looking to have is by city hall. With veterans being the foundation of our country and if you go back in time and you look from WWI, there are 349 deceased members serving members of this branch.”
MacIsaac is hoping that the county will help with the crosswalk funding in the coming year. A dedication ceremony will be held during the installation.
The Legion launched its fundraising campaign in June in support of MPP Bobbi Ann Brady’s 2024 motion to have a commemorative crosswalk in each Ontario municipality to honour veterans and soldiers.
“I feel the further away we move from the world wars and continue through this current era of the ‘long peace,’ we are more likely to lose sight of the courageous and determined efforts to secure peace, freedom and liberty,” Brady said last November. “The sacrifices by Canadian men and women were immense; therefore, the least we can do is ensure every community in Ontario remembers, every single day.”
MacIsaac said that there are currently 17 active veterans within the Legion now and more around Delhi. He adds that the Legion runs a veterans coffee break (Buddy Check Coffee - RCMP, police, fire and paramedics also welcome) once a month and gives them a safe space to talk about if they’re having issues or if they need help with something.
“When people see the crosswalk, we want them to remember why they live in a country that's so free,” said MacIsaac. “Everybody tends to complain about things in their lives but if you look at Canada compared to the rest of the world, we’re doing pretty well. The purpose of the crosswalk is to let people have a visual aid and we’re hoping it will raise awareness in the community when it's laid across the road.
“Yes, we have high taxes, but we are making pretty good money to pay those taxes, the chances of getting robbed or stabbed when you walk down the street are pretty slim here compared to a lot of places in the world.”
MacIsaac, who served in the military for 38 years and has been on four different tours in total, said that he’s seen some ‘scary places’ every time and he was happy to be home every time he rotated back.
OPEN HOUSE
The Delhi Legion will be hosting an open house on Sept. 25, 5-9 p.m., for all community members to visit and learn what the Legion is all about. MacIsaac said the Legion is trying to get more exposure. He wants to give members a sense of belonging, for veterans and non-veterans, along with all community members.
The open house will feature Legion merchandise, with live music and refreshments, and there will be an opportunity to fill out an application if someone wants to be a member of the Legion.
“It’s all about awareness,” said Bill Jones, a member at the Delhi Legion. “An awareness for people, for children, this generation is so far removed from the Second World War that they really don’t understand it. It’s more about awareness and what the Legion is about and what part it's played in our history.”
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