Campbell’s Bay
In Campbell’s Bay, a ceremony was hosted at the cenotaph in front of the MRC Pontiac building on Sunday afternoon.
The large crowd gathered to honour soldiers past and present was joined by veterans and active members of the Royal Canadian Regiment 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, based in Petawawa.
Campbell’s Bay mayor Raymond Pilon, Litchfield mayor Colleen Larivière, and MRC Pontiac warden Jane Toller each shared their reflections on Remembrance Day and laid wreaths on behalf of their respective governments.
“As the mayor of Campbell’s Bay, it is a profound privilege to share this Remembrance Day with all of you,” Pilon said. “In a small town, the sense of community binds us together and today, it is this united front that stands as a testament to our gratitude.”
Larivière, for her part, spoke to the ongoing nature of war.
“Today we gather to honour the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom,” Larivière said. “Their courage and commitment remind us that the peace we enjoy was hard won in a world that still knows war.”
Warden Toller echoed this point.
“Today we remember brave Canadians, including those from the Pontiac, who enlisted and fought,” Toller said. “War still exists today and we need to be vigilant and support and honour those who are still serving.”
by Sarah Pledge Dickson
Quyon
A Remembrance Day ceremony in Quyon was held, also on Sunday afternoon, and it was a beacon of community bringing multigenerational footfalls from both sides of the Ottawa River.
As in previous years, the emcee was Cal Cummings, originally from the area and now residing in Almonte; the pipers were with the Highland Mist Pipe Band out of Kanata; the soldiers were from the Petawawa Canadian Forces Base and the host was the Quyon Legion Branch #231.
After the singing of the national anthem and before offering tribute to local Legion members who had passed in the preceding year, Cummings laid the groundwork for purpose.
“Veterans know the price paid for our freedom and they want all Canadians to share in this understanding,” he began. “They are passing the torch of remembrance to us, the people of Canada, to ensure that the memory of their efforts and sacrifices will not die with them, and that an appreciation of the values they fought for will live on in all Canadians.”
Those gathered in reflection, respect and remembrance watched as 41 wreaths were laid at the two bases of the cenotaph.
In 1977, Manitoba author Heather Robertson answered the question, “Why remember?” in her book A Terrible Beauty, The Art of Canada at War and her words have become an anthem against which many ceremonies across the country are cast.
On Sunday, Cummings added her words to the closing minutes of the ceremony before inviting attendees for a light lunch and refreshments at the Legion:
“We must remember. If we do not, the sacrifice of those Canadian lives will be meaningless. They died for us, for their homes and families and friends, for a collection of traditions they cherished and a future they believed in; they died for Canada. The meaning of their sacrifice rests with our collective national consciousness; our future is their monument.”
by Glen Hartle
Chapeau
Sheenboro
Billy Brennan once again organized Monday’s Sheenboro Remembrance Day service saying, “It used to be a really big deal here, but with time, loss of volunteers and the passing of our veterans, it’s changed. Now it’s a smaller gathering.” Smaller, but no less impactful.
Those gathered were almost exclusively a generation removed from having seen service in the Second World War with Sergeant Bill Humphries, a veteran of the Korean War, acting as living surrogate for the fallen, the veterans and the memories. Father Scott Murray offered prayers.
Mike Fox read the Act of Remembrance, intoning the familiar phrases written by Laurence Binyon in 1914 and shared almost universally on this day, everywhere. Brennan called the wreath bearers and Jeannie Gleason raised her voice for the national anthem. It was subtle and inspirational all at once.
Along with Sgt. Humphries’ show of remembrance and respect, Sergeant Ken Doyle and Captain Peter Morris accompanied wreath layers in placing 26 additional wreaths at the cenotaph, where each paused in quiet reflection offering commemoration in their own way.
Everyone gathered was invited back to Sgt. Doyle’s house for luncheon afterward, with many taking him up on his offer.
by Glen Hartle
Fort Coulonge
The municipalities of Mansfield and Fort Coulonge hosted their Remembrance Day ceremony together on Monday at the cenotaph in Fort Coulonge. The ceremony was officiated by Lyam Girard, bombardier in the 2nd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.
“It’s extremely important because these people have sacrificed for us to have the lives we have now,” Fort Coulonge mayor Christine Francoeur told THE EQUITY following the ceremony. “It’s important to honour soldiers that have passed and the ones that are living.”
Pierre Bourassa of the Royal 22nd Regiment, known colloquially as the Van Doos, escorted wreath layers to the cenotaph.
After the wreaths had been laid, Stephen Lévesque, an Algonquin resident of Fort Coulonge, performed a smudging ceremony.
“It’s a purification to commemorate all the people who passed away and worked for us in the wars,” Lévesque said, adding that he was remembering the many Indigenous soldiers who died in service of this county as he smudged the cenotaph and the wreaths.
“You can’t forget that there were, I don’t know how many, thousands of Aboriginal, Mi’kmaq and Indigenous soldiers in the First and Second World Wars.”
by Sarah Pledge Dickson
Thorne
Shawville
A large crowd, including the entire student body of Pontiac High School (PHS), gathered at Veterans Memorial Park in Shawville on Monday to pay their respects to those who have served, and those who continue to serve.
The ceremony began with opening remarks from Shawville mayor Bill McCleary, and Clarendon mayor Ed Walsh, and concluded with trumpeter Jessica Nilsson playing God Save the King. Throughout the service, minsters of the various churches in town offered prayers, PHS student, Allie Benoit, recited In Flanders Fields. McCleary read aloud the names of the honoured dead, Walsh read the names of local veterans and those still serving, and Patti Moffatt read the names of those who were placing official wreaths, as well as public wreaths. In total, 65 wreaths were laid at the base of the cenotaph.
Following the service a lunch was served in the Ladies Hall at the fairgrounds.
by Liz Draper
Otter Lake
The Municipality of Otter Lake observed Remembrance Day at the cenotaph in Millennium Park on Monday morning.
Otter Lake pro-mayor Jennifer Quaile gave a few opening remarks before handing the mic over to Cpl. Pat Halcro, an Afghanistan veteran with 15 years of service, who read a poem entitled The Final Inspection.
After that, there were two readings of the poem In Flanders Fields, one in English and one in French.
Then, the national anthem was played, followed by the Last Post and then two minutes of silence in honour of those who served.
Then, representatives from the community came to the front to lay wreaths, including representatives from the Government of Canada, the Municipality of Otter Lake, the Otter Lake Fire Department, the 50-plus Club, the Otter Lake RA committee, MRC Pontiac, as well as relatives and loved ones of those who served.
The ceremony concluded with a chance for members of the audience to place poppies on a cross held up by Cst. Bryan P. Halcro, a Pontiac native now working with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service in northern Ontario, who travelled back to Otter Lake to attend the ceremony.
by K.C. Jordan
Bristol
The Municipality of Bristol hosted its Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph in Bristol Village on Monday.
“For 96 years, the people of Bristol have met to remember our family, friends and neighbours who fought and suffered, and some of them died, so that we could live freely,” opened emcee Greg Graham, urging attendees to step inside the gates surrounding the town’s cenotaph, upon which are listed the names of the Bristol residents who served in WWI and WWII.
“We keep this space sacred, but the word sacred only means special, or reserved for a higher purpose, and today is what we keep it special for.”
Laird Graham, on the piano, then led attendees through God Save the King, the national anthem, and the Last Post which, as per tradition, was followed by two minutes of silence.
Reverend Corey Ferguson of the Bristol Ridge Pentecostal Church then took the podium.
“It is a great privilege to be here this morning, to be able to share a little bit as we remember the brave men and women that went overseas to do something for you and me that we were not able to do ourselves,” he said, honouring both those who have served in wars past, and making note of ongoing wars between Russia and Ukraine, and between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah, reminders that peace is not to be taken for granted.
After Bill Smith’s recitation of In Flanders Fields, nine wreaths were laid on behalf of various organizations, including one laid by Retired Major Brian Lepack, Major Vanessa Prévost, and Warrant Officer Craig Lepack on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces.
by Sophie Kuijper Dickson
Portage du Fort
Portage du Fort held its Remembrance Day ceremony on Monday afternoon amid the rainy fall weather. The cool temperatures did not deter attendees from gathering to remember fallen troops.
“It shows just how important Remembrance Day is,” said Portage du Fort mayor Lynne Cameron. “We can never forget. Especially now since the world is in a bit of turmoil. We realize their commitment and the difference they made in our lives.”
Pontiac MNA André Fortin attended the afternoon ceremony. He was grateful to see the community come out to honour the seven names on the Portage du Fort cenotaph.
“It brings a sense of community, to do it for the people and the three service members that are here,” Fortin said. “It brings warmth to all our hearts that we can do a little bit for them and show them our appreciation.”
by Sarah Pledge Dickson
