J.D. Potié, Caleb Nickerson and Chris Lowrey
PONTIAC Nov. 10-11, 2019
Fort Coulonge
Over 100 people gathered at the . . .
war memorial in Fort Coulonge to commemorate Canadian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our country’s freedom.
Among those in attendance included a number of representatives from local organizations, students from l’École des Petits-Ponts, Pavillion Poupore in Fort Coulonge as well as several members of the Canadian military.
Many attendees wore poppies on their collars to commemorate the occasion.
With most of rue Principale blocked off for the event, the large crowd on hand formed a semi-circle in front of the town’s war memorial.
Led by Canadian Armed Forces veteran Pierre Bourassa and Brandon Ladouceur, the ceremony kicked off at around 11 a.m. with a rendition of the national anthem followed by another of the “Last Post.”
Then, attendees observed a moment of silence for the fallen soldiers.
Proceedings continued, as Bourassa called on members of community organizations, members of the armed forces and First Nations representatives to set more than 30 commemorative wreaths on the ground in front of the war memorial.
Bourassa explained that the procedure was about recognizing that Remembrance Day is important for the community at large.
Every time someone put down a wreath, Bourassa stood squarely in front of the memorial and gave it a salute.
Afterwards, local First Nations representative Steve Levesque commemorated Indigenous Canadian soldiers with a ritual where he ignited a bowl filled with white bark, tobacco, cedar and buffalo sage.
As a former corporal with the Canadian military with 13 years of service, Remembrance Day is always a significant one on Bourassa’s calendar since it highlights the contributions made by soldiers to shape Canada into what it is today.
“It’s about remembering those who left to war and didn’t come back home,” he said. “Others came back. However, they weren’t the same as when they left … if we didn’t go, maybe we’d be German today.”
For Bourassa, Remembrance Day always demands a great amount of mental preparation. While it brings the community closer together, it’s also a reminder of all his comrades who have fallen in combat over the years.
“Many have already left us,” he said, pointing to the war memorial statue. “So, their names are on this monument. Thanks to those who made the sacrifice to serve for a nation, today, we can say that we are free, in a country where we haven’t had a big war since the 1700s and 1800s.”
With a large portion of the community attending the event, Bourassa was quite satisfied with the local’s recognition of such an important event for many Canadians.
“I’m happy to see a community like ours, the organizations and associations getting involved on Remembrance Day,” he said. “If you look at the crowd today, it was maybe 20 per cent of the village.”
After the ceremony, attendees were invited to the conference centre for a reception with all sorts of homemade sandwiches and soups.
Portage du Fort
Over 100 local residents and members of the military convened at the war memorial in Portage du Fort on Monday afternoon, as the town held its annual Remembrance Day ceremony.
With crowds of locals standing on both sides of rue Main, around 60 members of the Canadian Armed Forces stood directly in front of the monument around 20 feet away.
Members of the Renfrew Pipes and Drums Band were also on hand to provide some of the music for the ceremony.
The ceremony began at around 2 p.m. with a rendition of the national anthem on the bugle and continued with a prayer, led by Reverend Susan Wilson, before playing the “Last Post”.
Then, attendees held two minutes of silence to honour fallen soldiers.
After a few more speeches, including the reading of John McRae’s poem “In Flanders Fields”, the event’s emcee Linda Elliott called individual residents, community leaders and soldiers to place over 20 ceremonial wreaths on the war monument’s steps.
After placing the wreaths, Wilson read another prayer to honour Canadian soldiers.
To close the ceremony, Mayor Lynne Cameron gave a speech thanking the numerous veterans who sacrificed their lives to make their nation a better place as well as the locals involved with the event.
“Their fight is not forgotten and lives on forever through our hearts,” she said.
For President of the Campbell’s Bay Legion, Pontiac Branch 162 Ron Woodstock, the ceremony is always an emotional time that brings back all sorts of memories.
From his experience in the military, he’s had an appreciation for the service they provide for as long he can remember.
“That sunk into my psyche.” he said. “Since then, I haven’t missed a Remembrance Day.”
As a veteran who served back in the 1960s, Woodstock doesn’t undermine the importance of the ceremony, noting that the government should recognize it as a national holiday.
“It’s a very important time that we don’t celebrate enough, in my opinion,” he said. “Schools should be closed. Government people are off. But schools aren’t. What is that teaching the children?”
During the month of November, the Legion has been holding a poppy campaign to help raise funds for Canadian war veterans. For Woodstock, laying down the wreaths is the culmination of everything his organization does to support members of the military.
Allumettes Island
A crowd of dozens quietly huddled outside St. Joseph’s Municipal Hall on Sunday for the annual Remembrance Day ceremony on Allumettes Island.
Several local businesses and community organizations laid wreaths at the community’s cenotaph as Pembroke Legion Band 72 played in the background.
The 2nd Combat Engineers Regiment from CFB Petawawa were on hand as well.
After the wreath laying ceremony, Mayor Winston Sunstrum addressed the crowd.
He urged the crowd to always remember the ultimate sacrifice that many soldiers have made fighting for Canada for the society we enjoy today.
“We are lucky, we are fortunate and we are privileged,” Sunstrum said. “Today, we have here many soldiers who are trained and ready to serve. And we thank them.”
Sunstrum also thanked The Royal Canadian Legion in Pembroke for their ongoing assistance for the municipality’s Remembrance Day ceremonies.
He also thanked the regiment from Petawawa for their presence.
To wrap up the ceremony, the band played a rendition of “God Save the Queen” before the crowd filed inside the hall for a reception.
Sheenboro
Residents of the Municipality of Sheenboro filed into St. Paul the Hermit Church for the annual Remembrance Day service.
Each year after the service, a local soldier is honoured for their service. Afterwards, community groups and members lay wreaths at the altar of the church.
This year, the congregation honoured Warrant Officer Todd Konschuh, based out of CFB Petawawa.
Konschuh served two tours in Afghanistan between 2003 and 2011.
The crowd was addressed by Konschuh’s mother-in-law Nancy Gleason who admitted that the family kept Todd in the dark about the purpose of the ceremony.
“If [Todd] knew he was being honoured, he wouldn’t allow is,” she said. “So, we took the approach to ask your forgiveness instead of your permission.”
Konschuh has mainly been based at CFB Petawawa and now serves as a Communications Officer.
Although Konschuh spent extended stretches in some of the most dangerous places on earth, he always managed to put his humanity on display despite the harsh circumstances.
She recounted one instance when Konschuh wrote his family and friends while he was serving in Afghanistan asking for them to send supplies for an Afghan clinic that was running low.
She said he’d reminisce about his time with the Afghan people, who, at the end of the day, want the same thing as any person – peace and safety for t heir family.
After honouring Konschuh for his service, the names of all those from the community who have served since World War 1 were read aloud.
The ceremony concluded with several community groups and members laying wreaths at the altar.
Otter Lake
A sizable crowd gathered alongside Rte. 301 at the War Memorial in Otter Lake on Sunday morning for the town’s formal act of remembrance.
A brief introduction was provided by members of the municipal council before the laying of the wreaths began. Members of the local fire department acted as the honour guard on the path leading up to the memorial.
After the wreaths were placed, members of the public were invited to pin a poppy on a white cross, held by firefighter Miranda Kluke, before the ceremony closed with the playing of the national anthem and “Last Post.”
A luncheon followed in the RA Hall.
Quyon
More than a hundred people gathered on a cold dreary Sunday to remember the fallen during the Quyon Remembrance Day ceremony.
The event started with a rendition of “O Canada” by Wendy Desabrais.
The Master of Ceremonies was Cal Cummings from the Quyon Legion. He highlighted the sacrifices made by those who served.
“Veterans know the price they paid for our freedom and they want us to understand that price,” Cummings said. “They were ordinary Canadians who made extraordinary sacrifices.”
Cummings also reflected on the need for younger generations to remember these sacrifices.
“It’s up to us to ensure their dream of peace is realized,” he said.
The ceremonial playing of “Last Post” then took place, followed by two minutes of silence.
Afterwards, the Highland Mist Pipe Band played “Lament.”
Cummings then recited the Act of Remembrance, which was followed by a wreath laying ceremony.
Once the cenotaph was surrounded by wreaths, the crowd bowed their heads for a prayer by Bill Hamilton, followed by a rendition of “God Save the Queen.”
Many in the crowd quickly hustled to the warmth of the Quyon Legion for a reception at the end of the ceremony.
Campbell’s Bay
The Cenotaph in Campbell’s Bay was filled with people on Sunday afternoon as they honoured this country’s veterans.
Three flag-bearers, representing Canada, Quebec and the Legion, marched to their post next to war memorial and the event began. “Last Post” was played on the trumpet and Mona Woodstock read “In Flanders Fields.”
Several mayors and representatives of local service clubs also placed wreaths at the base of the memorial.
Several veterans and currently serving members of the military were also in attendance. One was Richard Bowie, who was the youngest of six brothers who served in World War II, and also had two younger brothers who served after the war. Now in his 90s, he is the town’s last surviving veteran of that conflict. On Sunday he laid a wreath in honour of his brothers.
Shawville
The streets lining Veterans Memorial Park in Shawville were filled with hundreds of people to mark the annual day of remembrance. Large contingents from both Dr. S.E. McDowell Elementary School and Pontiac High School were in attendance, as well as local elected officials and clergy.
Shawville Mayor Sandra Murray recited the names of those who served, followed by Clarendon Mayor John Armstrong reciting the names of the honoured dead. Pontiac Warden Jane Toller gave a brief statement, along with several leaders from local churches. Rowan Hill recited “In Flanders Fields.”
In spite of the chilly weather, the laying of the wreaths was underway in short order, with many businesses, families and community organizations taking part. Members of the 653 Champlain Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron were on hand to escort attendees to the memorial.
After a final prayer from Pvt. Dustin Brunet, “God Save the Queen” was played to close out the ceremony. A reception was held a few blocks over at the Lions Hall.
