Our Patrons
The Late Hon. Lincoln M. Alexander
January 21, 1922 – October 19, 2012
Patron - 1999 - 2012
Lt. General
Richard Rohmer
A giant in Canadian politics and a legend in his time, in 1999 Linc became the first ever patron of the Burlington Teen Tour Band. His faith in youth, and in particular our band members, was extremely strong and without question, as was his encouragement and belief in “today's youth as tomorrow's leaders”.
Born in Ontario on January 21,1922 Lincoln Alexander served with the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1942 – 1945. During the post-war years Lincoln attended McMaster University before graduating from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1953. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1965 when he was a partner in the firm of Millar, Alexander, Tokiwa and Isaacs. In 1968 he ran for public office and was successfully elected to the House of Commons as the Member of Parliament for Hamilton West, a position he faithfully filled for 11 years. During his term of office he served as the Federal Minister of Labour, Observer to the United Nations, was a member of Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association, and the Canada-United States Parliamentary Delegation.
The career of the Honorable Lincoln Alexander has been both long and stellar. Some of the honours and awards he has received include: 6 Doctor of Laws Degrees; Man of the Year Award by Ethnic Press Council of Canada Inc.; John D. Diefenbaker Memorial Foundation Canadian Award; Honorary Chief of Police, Metropolitan Toronto Police; Honourary Office of Commissioner Ontario Provincial Police; Chancellor University of Guelph; Companion of the Order of Canada.
Lincoln Alexander passed away October 19th, 2012 and a State Funeral was held October 26th, 2012 . By request, the full band paid tribute and performed at the State Procession and it was a lone trumpeter from the Burlington Teen Tour Band who played Last Post over the casket at the Service.
An Officer of the Order of Canada, Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Order of Leopold, Order of Ontario, Knight of St. John, Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.
Major-General Richard Rohmer is a lawyer, Queen’s Counsel, bestselling/award-winning author, retired Air Force jet fighter pilot and Canada’s most decorated citizen.
Born in Hamilton, Ontario he was an indifferent student and briefly worked with Fleet Aerospace before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942. He flew Mustangs over Normandy and the channel, working in the camera reconnaissance section, having some quite astonishing encounters and experiences. After the war he found his way into the study of law, where he had a most distinguished career. He continued service with the air force in the reserve, achieving the rank of Major-General (equivalent of an Air Vice-Marshal in the Royal Air Force). He is extremely active in a range of corporate and military activities. It was during one such role when he was Chairman for the 60th anniversary of the D-Day celebrations that took place in Normandy on June 6th 2004 that Major-General Richard Rohmer first came into direct contact with the Burlington Teen Tour Band.