A large crowd watched the parade and gathered at the cenotaph for this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony.
The parade started at Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157 shortly after 10:30 a.m. Monday and got to the cenotaph at 11 a.m., where a 35-minute service was conducted.
Afterward, the parade marched back to the Legion.
Capt. Jeff Turner, who acted as master of ceremonies, commented about the students from Stella Maris Catholic Elementary School that attended the ceremony, noting it was nice to see them “acknowledge and understand what we’re doing here.”
Shannon Hill represented Essex MP Chris Lewis and read Lewis’ comments to the large crowd. Lewis wrote about the many battles that Canadian soldiers have been in over the decades, noting those are places that most won’t visit, but those battles preserved the freedoms we have today.
“It was soldiers who fought for our freedoms,” Lewis’ comments read. “It was those who fought so we might live.”
Men and women laid down their lives and Lewis said through Hill that families also made sacrifices during times of war and conflict. The local MP called for everyone to always remember the sacrifices made and that veterans should be remembered not just on Remembrance Day or Veterans Week, but all year round.
Essex MPP Anthony Leardi was represented by his executive assistant Armand Anderson at Monday morning’s Remembrance Day ceremony. Leardi stated in his remarks that lives were sacrificed so that people could enjoy freedom.
Leardi’s remarks also touched on the braveness of soldiers and he paid tribute to those who have served and those who continue to serve Canada.
“To veterans, the fallen and those who continue to serve, thank you,” Leardi stated in his remarks read by Anderson. “We will remember.”
Mayor Michael Prue noted honouring those who served is a tradition that goes back over 100 years. He noted the youth at the ceremony and said that was vital to ensuring the sacrifices of veterans continue to be remembered.
“We ask young people to ensure peace continues for another 100 years,” said Prue.
The mayor added that men and women continue to serve around the world.
“We thank all veterans for all they do for our country,” he said.
Prue pointed out the new crosswalk that honours veterans, adding there are other initiatives in the works as well.
Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157 branch president Shawn Wilkie said Remembrance Day is not one of celebration, but a day of remembrance to acknowledge those who served. He called for the service of veterans to be remembered every day.
The previous evening, the Legion held a veteran appreciation dinner at the branch. About 80 people at in while about 30 take-out meals were served. Several toasts were made to veterans. Capt. Ernie Gazdig CD, himself a veteran, said it was an occasion to honour men and women who served Canada as well to pay tribute to allied forces and the RCMP.
Veterans share a bond, Gazdig added, and also thanked the Legion for its work.
Prue spoke Sunday evening as well, and pointed out this his father and father-in-law were both veterans. Prue said he recalled his father having friends over and sharing memories, some good and some with great sadness.
“Those were my heroes,” he said. “I look around and see heroes this evening. I thank you for what you have done and continue to do.”
Prue said current veterans are also heroes and the town is proud of them. He reiterated a pledge more is on the way to pay tribute to veterans.
“The people of Amherstburg will not forget and will honour you,” he told the group.
By Ron Giofu
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