Stratford remembers under a blanket of freshly fallen snow
The Stratford Legion Branch 8 hosted the city's 2019 Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Stratford Cenotaph Monday morning.
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Amidst the cold and blowing snow Monday morning, area residents wearing a mix of military dress and heavy winter coats gathered around the Stratford cenotaph to pay respects to those who sacrificed – and continue to sacrifice – for our collective freedom.
Though the snow continued to accumulate, it did not dampen the songs and hymns sang in solidarity with the community’s veterans, living and dead.
The Stratford Royal Canadian Legion Branch 8 Colour Party marches toward the cenotaph. Galen Simmons/The Beacon Herald/Postmedia Network
Just before his 95th birthday, Second World War veteran Arthur Boon salutes as bugler Robert Pope plays Last Post during Stratford's Remembrance Day ceremony on Monday. Galen Simmons/The Beacon Herald/Postmedia Network
A member of the Army Navy and Airforce Veterans in Canada Unit 261 places a wreath at the Stratford Cenotaph. Galen Simmons/The Beacon Herald/Postmedia Network
Despite the snow, area residents gathered at the Stratford Cenotaph Monday for the city's Remembrance Day Ceremony. Galen Simmons/The Beacon Herald/Postmedia Network
The Stratford Middle Years School Chorus, directed by Martha Weir, performed at the city's Remembrance Day Ceremony Monday. Galen Simmons/The Beacon Herald/Postmedia Network
Honorary Col. Loreena McKennitt leads the singing of God Save The Queen at the end of Stratford's Remembrance Day Ceremony. Galen Simmons/The Beacon Herald/Postmedia Network
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At nearly 95 years old, one such veteran, Arthur Boon – a man who stormed the beaches of Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion during the Second World War – delivered the ceremony’s Call to Remembrance.
“Canada has lost approximately 120,000 – not only soldiers, but also civilians – in all of those conflicts, and that is a terrible price to pay for the freedom we now enjoy in this country, all of us,” said Boon, referring to Canada’s participation in the Boer War, both world wars, the Korean War and the Afghanistan War, as well as every Canadian peacekeeping mission.
“It is my wish, and I’m sure the wish of all the veterans that are here and the civilians that are here, particularly in this community, that we never forget all of those that have made the supreme sacrifice, and never take it for granted that your freedom is just given to you. It comes at a very high price.”
Throughout the ceremony, which was led by Rev. Dr. Lorne Mitchell, the music was performed by both the Stratford Concert Band and the Stratford Police Pipes and Drums. Honorary Col. Loreena McKennit was also on hand to lead in the singing of O Canada and God Save The Queen, and the Stratford Middle Years School Chorus performed following the laying of the wreaths.
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