singing O Canada, with Laird Graham, playing the keyboard and Mayor Brent Orr officiating. After the ceremony, Mr. Orr said he was happy to see the turn-out. This day is meaningful to him because it is a time, “to remember the ones that protected our country and lay down their lives. It’s nice to see it on a nice day,” said Orr.

After a two minute moment of silence, Cathy Stewart walked to the microphone and said a prayer and read out loud, “We come here today to remember, and to express our gratitude for those who fell in battle, and all who served and are serving. They offered their bodies, hearts and energy, fighting for a better world,” she said.

After singing Amazing Grace, Bill Smith took to the microphone and highlighted how important it is for folks to stop and take a moment to read the names on the monument, “it’s very interesting to see how many, probably people with family names the same as yours and mine that are on this monument.” After all, isn’t that what monuments are for he said. He then proceeded to recite the poem by John McCrae “In Flanders Fields”.

Laying a wreath on behalf of the fire department, two firefighters Tracey Moore and Darlene Wiggins came out to pay their respects.

Showing off her grandfather’s medals that she wore so proud, Moore said this day is special for her because “my grandfather was a radio operator in the war. And it’s important that we celebrate these days and remember them with the schools. ‘’ She is currently a retired firefighter and drives a school bus and was happy to see all the kids wearing their poppies that day.

“It’s a nice day to have to remember the history of Canada,” said Moore.

Two firefighters Tracey Moore and Darlene Wiggins came out to pay their respects and lay a wreath for the Bristol Fire Department.

Shawville

Zainab Al-Mehdar

Shawville Nov 17, 2021

A large crowd gathered at Veterans Memorial Park in Shawville to honour everyone who has fought in the war.

Clarendon Mayor Ed Walsh, Shawville Mayor Bill McCleary, and Pontiac warden Jane Toller were all in attendance.

After over a year of gathering virtually, people were finally able to attend the Remembrance Day ceremony in person.

Pictured, new Clarendon mayor Ed Walsh, Pontiac warden Jane Toller and new Shawville mayor Bill McCleary.

Lieutenant Tyson Roose with Campbell’s Bay Legion president Ronald Woodstock.

Pictured, from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Lt. Roose and Warrant Officer Nicolas Pruneau proceed to the cenotaph to place a wreath.

Ladysmith

Carole St-Aubin

Ladysmith Nov 11, 2021

There is a deep sense of duty that follows service men and women throughout their lives.

This is perhaps no more apparent than when you see them attending Remembrance Day ceremonies despite having physical limitations, or mental anguish they carry that is fleetingly distinguishable in their somber demeanor.

Remembrance Day is about so much more than wearing poppies and laying a commemorative wreath at the base of a monument.

It’s about remembering armed forces members who died in service to our country, those who have endured innumerable hardships in the line of duty, the military families who suffered alongside them, and respecting and appreciating those still serving.

It’s about protecting our peace and security and our country’s rights to freedom, as well as that of other countries all around the world, where Canadian Veterans have played a supportive and critical role in combat and peacekeeping missions.

As he took up his watch at the Ladysmith monument on Thursday, Veteran Master Seaman Marc Keller, who served in the First Gulf War, said he was proud to participate in the yearly commemoration there.

Mayor Karen Kelly, who officiated the ceremony, began with a word of welcome. She then led the crowd of approximately 40 people in singing the National Anthem, followed by Monique Atkinson reading the world famous war memorial poem, In Flander’s Fields written by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.

Sharon Ring, a Navy Veteran from the Renfrew Branch 148 of the Royal Canadian Legion, accompanied members of the community as they walked up to lay their wreaths in tribute.

Despite being grief-stricken over the recent loss of her husband, Frank Ring, an Army Veteran, she said, “It is very important for me to be here, it’s always an honour to participate.”

Though one person’s presence might seem a small token in the grand scheme of recognizing all the past and present members of our Armed Forces, it was said with a deep sense of valour that was touching.

Wreaths were laid to represent Canada, Quebec, Thorne Municipality, St. George Anglican, St. John Lutheran and Zion Lutheran Churches, as well as the Thorne Fire Department, Oktoberfest, Hotel Ladysmith, Bretzlaff Store, TCRA and the Royal Canadian Legion. One for Private Paul Dagenais by his daughter Essie, who spoke about her father’s life-long battle with war-related injuries that resulted in one amputation after another.

“Even though we would ask him about it, he never spoke much about the war, but it ruined his life,” she said, wrought with emotion.

“That feeling never goes away,” she added.

The act of remembrance followed with a moment of silence, more prayers and the traditional singing of God Save the Queen.

Those gathered were then invited to enjoy food and fellowship, provided by the Thorne Municipality.

Lorraine Bretzlaff lays a wreath on behalf of Ladysmith Oktoberfest.

Essie Dagenais lays a wreath in memory of her father, Private Paul Dagenais.

Portage du Fort

Carole St-Aubin

Portage-du-fort Nov 11, 2021

With an attendance of approximately 50 people, the Portage-du-Fort Remembrance Day ceremony, officiated by Royal Canadian Legion member Mona Woodstock of Pontiac Branch 162, began with trumpeter Jessica Nilsson’s renditions of O Canada and Last Post.

It was followed by bagpiper Jim Savage of Haley Station, a member of the Renfrew Highland Pipes and Drums Band, playing Lament.

Savage, who was an Ontario Provincial Police Auxiliary (a member trained to perform police duties in special circumstances or emergencies) said, “Usually we play here with the band, but because of COVID restrictions we still can’t march in parades.”

“I have participated in the Portage-du-Fort ceremony for more than 15 years, I’m really glad to be back this year, I really enjoy it,” he told THE EQUITY.

The Act of Remembrance, an excerpt from English poet Laurence Binyon’s For the Fallen was followed by well-known John McCrae’s In Flanders Fields before the wreaths were positioned at the foot of the monument.

These were placed in memory of Alexander Charthrand, Wilmar Malette, George Manwell, J.J. McCallum, Laurent Pare, and Benedict Tanguay.

Wreaths from the Municipality of Portage-du-Fort, the Royal Canadian Legion Pontiac Branch, one for motherhood, the Veterans of all wars, Anaron International, B.G.C.P Volunteer Fire Department, St.George’s Anglican, St.James Catholic, St.James C.W.L., Portage Recreation Association, Portage Golden Age Club, Lakeside Hotel, as well as Harbour Square Committee and Thomson’s Store were also laid by members of the community.

A benediction and blessing followed by a word of thanks from the Legion president, Ron Woodstock and Mayor Lynn Cameron followed by Nilsson’s trumpeted God Save the Queen ended the ceremony.

Legion members also offered the public a chance to purchase raffle tickets for an eye-catching hand-crocheted poppy quilt, Remembrance Day signs and candles. All the proceeds from their sale, as well sales from their poppy campaign are donated to area charities.

Mayor Cameron said she was pleased with the turnout in light of the current lifting of COVID restrictions.

“Last year we couldn’t host our usual ceremony so we had children who painted stones, each one had a family member and a veteran,” said Cameron.

“The monument was originally built as a tribute to Lady Head (the wife of Sir Edmund Head, Governor of the Province of Canada), the First Lady who arrived here in a birch bark canoe in 1856,” Cameron told THE EQUITY.

Also used as war memorial, the monument is in an advanced state of deterioration from the elements. The municipality is looking at ways to preserve it.

“Something has to be done, but it’s a costly process,” added Cameron.

A bright and colourful quilt made by Jean Pare was being raffled up to raise money for the Legion who wi
ll then donate the proceeds to charities in the Pontiac.

Portage-du-Fort Mayor Lynne Cameron lays a wreath from the municipality at the base of the monument during the ceremony on Thursday.

Fort Coulonge

Ginette Belair (left) laid a wreath in honour of her uncle, Private Alderic George Wilbert Denault, who died in battle in Holland at the age of 27 during the Canadian advance in the last stage of World War Two. Assisting Madame Belair was the co-host of the ceremony, Ret. Major Wayne Freeland CD, of Davidson, (kneeling), whose 22 years with the Canadian Armed Forces included six tours of duty in Afghanistan and six months in Haiti with the United Nations, among other deployments.

Charlotte Boucher, Regent of the Fort Coulonge chapter of Les Filles d’Isabelle, laid a wreath on behalf of the Queen in the Remembrance Day Service in Fort Coulonge on Thursday, accompanied by the emcee for the event, Ret. Corporal Pierre Bourassa CD. Corporal Bourassa’s military service included seven years stationed at Lahr, Germany with the Royal 22nd Regiment (a.k.a. the Van Doos), two years with the airborne regiment in Petawawa, and three years in Comox, B.C. as an airframe technician with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He is a past president of the Royal Canadian Legion in Campbell’s Bay.

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