The Royal Niagara Military Institute (RNMI) is an association of individuals, comprised of serving officers, retired officers, other retired military members from the ranks and civilians with specific military interest.
WHY and WHAT
The Royal Niagara Military Institute provides a forum for maintaining an interest in current affairs, particularly with regard to military matters. Niagara has a rich and significant military history which dates back more than 200 years to Butler's Rangers. The RNMI helps to perpetuate our past and provides support for the Niagara-based military units and voicing support of militia units and cadet corps located within the region. The RNMI also acts to provide symbolic and physical presence at military and historical events held within the region.
The RNMI is one of several United Services Institutes (USIs) and Military Institutes in Canada. As a member of The Canadian Defence Association (CDA), the RNMI is able to express views and opinions to the Minister of National Defence.
WHERE and WHEN
The RNMI meets regularly on the third Wednesday of the month at the Officers' Mess of The Lincoln and Welland Regiment at the St. Catharines Armoury on Lake St. at the corner of Welland Ave. There are no meetings held during June, July, and August.
HISTORY
The Royal Niagara Military Institute was founded in April 1968 by a group of serving and past military officers. It was then known as the Niagara District Armed Forces Institute. The first President was LCol Clifford Parks (now deceased). Capt Frank Keir (now deceased) can be credited with being the driving force behind the initial formation of the Institute; he was also its second President.
In 1981, the name was changed to the Niagara Military Institute.
In 1998, LCol Bernard Nehring, a former Commanding Officer of The Lincoln and Welland Regiment, and President of the Niagara Military Institute in 1992, launched a project to seek royal status for the Institute. In April 1999, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II granted the Institute permission to use the title "Royal" as part of its name. Canada has about 20 military institutes, and the Royal Niagara Military Institute is one of about 10 to achieve royal status.
MEMBERSHIP
The Niagara area is rich in military history, and the RNMI membership reflects this heritage. Its membership (which numbers over 200) consists predominantly of serving and retired military officers, both regular and reserve, including some who served in World War II and the Korean conflict. However, membership also includes serving and/or retired RCMP, Merchant Marine, local police officers, university professors, historians, and other citizens with a deep military interest. We also have several USA citizens as members, giving the Institute a truly international flavour.
SPECIAL EVENTS
The RNMI meetings normally include speakers who provide information on military matters. The topic spectrum has run from battle coverage of General Brock at Queenston Heights during the War of 1812 to Canada's involvement in the Gulf War by serving pilots who flew CF-18s during that skirmish.
There are also a few social events which occur on an annual basis. Ladies' Night, a Mess Dinner, and a summertime Garden Party are typical of these special events.
Contact us for further information.
Any comments or suggestions concerning the RNMI Web Site should be directed to Don Bowman at cheldon@computan.on.ca
