Veterans sit and watch as the Remembrance Day ceremony in Port Elgin commences. (Photo by Jordan Mackinnon)Veterans sit and watch as the Remembrance Day ceremony in Port Elgin commences. (Photo by Jordan Mackinnon)
Midwestern

Lest We Forget (VIDEO & GALLERY)

Hundreds of people gathered at the cenotaph in Owen Sound to remember those who fought and died for their country.

From school children to young men and women in uniform to the few older veterans that are left, they were there to remember those who never came home.

Major Greg Betts is with the Grey and Simcoe Foresters.

He's always pleased to see the number of people that attend the ceremony.

"It's worthwhile to do this annually at such a key moment in history. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month," says Betts.

By the end of the Owen Sound Remembrance Day ceremony, scores of wreaths laid by groups and organizations lay at the foot of the cenotaph.

By: Kirk Scott

Video by Kirk Scott.

Cold and windy weather in Port Elgin did not stop the crowds from paying tribute to our veterans on this Remembrance Day.

Hundreds crammed into the cenotaph, including Don Stoddart of Port Elgin, who was on hand to pay tribute to his brother James, who died in Belgium in 1944 during World War II.

He says putting up with a little cold weather is nothing compared to what our soldiers endured.

"I know that our men and women suffered far more than that over there, the weather was very bad over there at times and that's what I think of, the suffering of our heroes," says Stoddart.

Time continues to take its toll on surviving veterans, as only about a dozen were on hand to take part in the Remembrance Day ceremony.

By: Jordan Mackinnon

Despite the blustery weather, a large crowd turned out for the Cenotaph service in Mount Forest.

The Mount Forest Remembrance Day service also honoured the memory of native Canadian soldiers. First Nations person Glen Trevin of Mount Forest sang a “veteran’s song” with drumming. Master of Ceremonies Bill Nelson said the local Branch is marking this The Year of the Native Canadian Soldier. Nelson said the contribution of Native Canadians to the armed forces has been overlooked in the past.

The Simcoe Grey Foresters provided a firing party, and the Mount Forest Air Cadet Squadron 895 the Cenotaph vigil.

Young people again played a large role at the Remembrance Day Service in Mount Forest.

Nelson noted a large contingent of students from all three Mount Forest Schools, including Wellington Heights Secondary School in Mount Forest which provided the bugler, Patrick Karrow.

By: Campbell Cork

 

Hundreds gathered to attend the Mount Forest Remembrance Day ceremony to honour our veterans. (Photo by Campbell Cork)Hundreds gathered to attend the Mount Forest Remembrance Day ceremony to honour our veterans. (Photo by Campbell Cork)

Ceremonial wreaths being laid in Mount Forest for Remembrance Day. (Photo by Campbell Cork)Ceremonial wreaths being laid in Mount Forest for Remembrance Day. (Photo by Campbell Cork)

Bagpipes accompany the ceremony for Remembrance Day in Mount Forest. (Photo by Campbell Cork)Bagpipes accompany the ceremony for Remembrance Day in Mount Forest. (Photo by Campbell Cork)

A colour guard accompanied by a pipe band marching to the Mount Forest Remembrance Day ceremony. (Photo by Campbell Cork)A colour guard accompanied by a pipe band marching to the Mount Forest Remembrance Day ceremony. (Photo by Campbell Cork)

Veterans sit and watch as the Remembrance Day ceremony in Port Elgin commences. (Photo by Jordan Mackinnon)Veterans sit and watch as the Remembrance Day ceremony in Port Elgin commences. (Photo by Jordan Mackinnon)

A salute fro fallen veterans during a moment of silence in Port Elgin. (Photo by Jordan Mackinnon)A salute fro fallen veterans during a moment of silence in Port Elgin. (Photo by Jordan Mackinnon)

Soldiers salute during the Port Elgin Remembrance Day ceremony. (Photo by Jordan Mackinnon)Soldiers salute during the Port Elgin Remembrance Day ceremony. (Photo by Jordan Mackinnon)

Veterans make their way to the Port Elgin Remembrance Day ceremony. (Photo by Jordan Mackinnon)Veterans make their way to the Port Elgin Remembrance Day ceremony. (Photo by Jordan Mackinnon)

The Wingham Cenotaph, with all the commemorative wreaths laid at the base of the statue, after the conclusion of the Remembrance Day ceremonies. (Photo by Ryan Drury)The Wingham Cenotaph, with all the commemorative wreaths laid at the base of the statue, after the conclusion of the Remembrance Day ceremonies. (Photo by Ryan Drury)

A large audience looks on as the Remembrance Day ceremony commences in Wingham, with local schools, municipal staff and veterans in attendance. (Photo by Ryan Drury)A large audience looks on as the Remembrance Day ceremony commences in Wingham, with local schools, municipal staff and veterans in attendance. (Photo by Ryan Drury)

The colour guard marches to the cenotaph in downtown Wingham, Ontario for the annual Remembrance Day ceremony. (Photo by Ryan Drury)The colour guard marches to the cenotaph in downtown Wingham, Ontario for the annual Remembrance Day ceremony. (Photo by Ryan Drury)

Remembrance Day ceremony at Port Elgin Cenotaph in 2016. (Photo by Jordan MacKinnon)Remembrance Day ceremony at Port Elgin Cenotaph in 2016. (Photo by Jordan MacKinnon)

Veterans marching in Port Elgin. (Photo by Jordan MacKinnon)Veterans marching in Port Elgin. (Photo by Jordan MacKinnon)

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