On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we remember them.
On this Remembrance Day, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 599, West Ferris was full to overflowing by people who had come together to pay honour to the Canadian men and women who fought for our freedoms, and those who lost their lives doing so.
A key part of the ceremony each year is the laying of wreaths.
The one person who seems to stand out above all others is the Silver Cross Mother representing mothers who lost a child or children while in uniform serving this country.
Once again this year, Branch 599 chose Sylvia Gagnon to fill that position of honour.
Gagnon, herself a Legion member, comes from a proud military family.
“My dad served in the army, my father-in-law served in the army, my husband served in the Air Force and my son served in the army. So, it is a great honour to be able to do this for those who have lost someone in the war,” explained Gagnon.
“It is very emotional. My son was military he served in Afghanistan and he comes from Kingston every year to walk me down to lay the wreath with me.
While Gagnon did not personally suffer the loss of a child who laid their life on the line protecting and serving this country, she can relate to the fears mothers (and fathers) carry on a daily basis when their child is off to war.
“It is worrisome. It is very scary. You worry about them all the time. You hope and pray that they’re going to come back safe.”
Gagnon is one of the fortunate ones whose prayers were answered.
“I’m very lucky. My son is here with me today and I am very proud to be able to do this.”
Representing the Anishinaabe people, Dot Beaucage Kennedy who is also a member of the Ojibway tribe Nipissing First Nation, was on hand to perform the traditional smudging ceremony.
She explained why protecting the country is a natural thing to do.
“We are a proud people. If and when our young people join the military, it is to carry a tradition forward that our ancestors have done since time immemorial. We were always there to sign up for all the wars that happened when they needed Canadians,” stated Beaucage Kennedy.
“Our rule as Indigenous people protecting and honouring this country, we are the first people here on this continent and because we have always been here, since time immemorial it has always been our responsibility to ensure that we have a safe country for all of us. We all belong to the human family and we are all connected,” said Beaucage Kennedy.
Branch 599 President Laughlin Trowsdale was pleased by the size of the crowd attending Saturday’s ceremony.
“I was very impressed by the turnout. It means a lot to honour those who fought and those who gave their lives,” said Trowsdale.
“It is critical that we remember those who have gone before us, and we remember the battles and the wars and all the bloodshed spilt. The unfortunate part is it seems that history is basically repeating itself with all the turmoil that is going on today.”
In addition to the wreath-laying ceremony held inside the Legion, a smaller ceremony was conducted outside, with wreaths placed at the Legion’s new cenotaph.
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