By Vivian Collings

Cecil Bailey was the life of the party at his 100th birthday celebration at the Haliburton Legion on Sunday.

The main hall was packed with friends and family of “Cec”, a beloved member of the community who served in Holland during the Second World War as a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Bailey was piped in by members of the Haliburton Highlanders Pipes and Drums and the Legion Branch 129 colour guard.

With Gord Kidd and Friends playing his favourite old country tunes, he danced the afternoon away.

Bailey was presented with certificates of congratulations sent from Haliburton – Kawartha Lakes – Brock MP Jamie Schmale, Haliburton – Kawartha Lakes – Brock MPP Laurie Scott, Veterans Affairs Canada, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Prime Minister of Canada, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands for his role in the liberation of the Netherlands in 1945.

“It’s a wonderful coincidence that you and the Air Force are both turning 100 this year,” read a letter from the Ambassador of the Netherlands. “I’m very pleased to offer you our lasting gratitude for your wartime efforts.”

Pearl Wood, Bailey’s daughter, gave thanks to organizers and attendees on his behalf.

“This has been going on behind the scenes for months. There’s been a lot of work put into this,” Wood said. “This legion is my dad’s family, and there are so many people here that make it possible for him to come and spend time with his friends often.”

He’s also well-known for his volunteer work at Extendicare in Haliburton and getting up to dance with residents whenever there was music playing.

“I have lots of fond memories of coming up to visit grandpa here in Haliburton,” said Bailey’s grandson.

He would take his grandchildren outside for tons of activities like fishing and Nordic skiing.

Bailey regularly attends the Friday night Meat Draw and is looking forward to many more visits at the Haliburton Legion with friends.