by BOB GRYLLS
Reporter
WHITEWATER REGION (Westmeath) — Remembrance Day was held on Friday morning November 9th. It is always on the nearest school day to the 11th for the significance of having the students from Our Lady of Grace Catholic School attend the service.
Reverend Anita Collings, chair of the event, opened the ceremony in prayer before 70 adults, 68 students and 11 from the 2 Service Battalion from CFB Garrison (under the leadership of Sargent Patrice Jodoin). The weather was chilled with an east brisk breeze making gloves virtually mandatory.
After the names of those who died during WW I and WW II by OLG students and the Last Post, wreaths were laid at the cenotaph; first by Cheryl Gallant, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP for the Government of Canada, then Peter Anderson on behalf of the province of Ontario, Dave Mackay for the Township of Whitewater Region and the 2 Service Battalion itself. A wreath for the Liberation of the Netherlands was laid by Sandra Jeffrey and Bonne Pietersma, Sandra Jeffrey for fallen comrades overseas and by Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) Art Plume for the National Association of Federal Retirees. Others were on behalf of the Our Lady of Grace CWL, Westmeath United Church, Elim Pentecostal Church, Riverview Seniors Social Club (RSSC) and the Westmeath & District Recreation Association (WDRA).
Everyone was invited to the Community Hall for snacks and to hear a concert by the students. Peter Anderson mentioned the weather wasn’t all that bad and said, “When I played the brass trombone for the Legion, I recall some Remembrance Days were held in weather so cold and snowy that I even played with frozen fingers.”
The students performed with a French and English recitation of Flanders Fields followed by two much-appreciated songs. Teacher Joey Sicoli accompanied them on his guitar.
Reviewing the morning with Trudy Desjardins, we both felt Remembrance Day services were subjected to most often miserable weather so to remind us of the unbearable conditions those brave soldiers had to endure.
Ms. Desjardins remarked, “I guess we just have to suck this weather up. Maybe we are all a bunch of wimps compared to those who fought in the trenches.”
The annual Remembrance Day event was organized by the RSSC. Two of the members, Laurine Blackwell and Linda Bromley, have been here for every occasion since the dedication of the cenotaph in 1995.
