STEPHEN RICCIO
SHAWVILLE Nov. 11, 2020
Despite pandemic-imposed restrictions and some light rain, residents still found a way to honour fallen Canadian veterans at the Shawville Veterans Park for Remembrance Day.
Several dozen gathered in a social-distanced manner on Nov. 11 shortly before 11 a.m. in a service that featured . . .
prayers and tributes from local elected leaders and religious figures.
It was kicked off with Shawville Mayor Sandra Murray, Clarendon Mayor John Armstrong and MRC Pontiac Warden Jane Toller each speaking briefly.
“Even though we have a pandemic, it is vital that we never forget … that we always remember,” Toller said to the crowd.
“I’d like to express how grateful we are that the town of Shawville has found a way to continue to have this service,” she added.
“There are people that we should thank, and they are the employees of the Municipality of Shawville, for getting everything ready for this service,” Murray said.
Rev. Susan Lewis of the Anglican parish, Pastor Stuart Marples of New Hope Christian Fellowship, Pastor Daniel Bennett of the Church of Faith, Praise and Prayer and Rev. Dr. Richard Hollingsworth of Shawville United Church each took turns either saying prayers or delivering scripture readings.
Shawville councillor Patty Moffatt recited the famous In Flanders Fields poem, and water technician Jessica Nilsson brought along her trumpet and played O Canada and God Save the Queen for the crowd.
During the service, Murray, Armstrong and Toller each placed a wreath at the cenotaph for the community that they represent. Many of the wreaths laid at the two cenotaphs were done so earlier that morning by the Pontiac Legion.
Shortly after the service ended, at around noon, four Chinook military helicopters flew directly overhead Shawville, among other areas of the region.
