LITTLE CURRENT—The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 177 hall was packed as usual during the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies, but the downtown service, held under bright sunny skies, saw its largest gathering in many years.
The Manitoulin Sea Cadet Corps colour party and honour guard processed into the hall to begin the service and did so at the downtown service as well later in the day.
Both ceremonies began with a land acknowledgement by Master of Ceremonies Comrade Roy Eaton.
“Good morning, everyone. I begin by acknowledging we assemble today on the Treaty 94 traditional territory of the Anishinaabe people. The Ojibwe, Odawa and the Pottowatomi. We acknowledge their stewardship of this land, water, and earth, which is central to their lives and spirituality. With the Mnidoo Minising peoples, let us live in respect and gratitude for all creation.”
Comrade Eaton noted that this year marks the the 75th anniversary of the first United Nations peacekeeping mission, and he pointed out “the Poppy also reminds us of the service of more than 125,000 men and women who have taken part in peacekeeping duties over the years and 135 had died in that service.”
At both ceremonies, Comrade Eaton informed the gatherings of “a wonderful new remembrance initiative called ‘Poppy Stories’ which is in place again for This year’s campaign. On your smart phone go to PoppyStories.ca where you will be asked to scan your poppy and a story will pop up for you to read about a fallen Canadian veteran.
The first wreath laid, on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces, was by Linda Kelly who joined the Canadian Air Force 61 years ago.
The Peacekeepers wreath was laid by Manitoulin Sea Cadet Commanding Officer Lieutenant (Navy) Sylvain Boucher. “The poppy pays tribute to the 130 veterans who have given their lives during these missions,” said Comrade Eaton.
Comrade Eaton noted that “A few days ago, on November 8, National Indigenous Veterans Day was observed. That day is dedicated to Indigenous Canadians who served in the Canadian Armed Forces, especially during the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. When aboriginal veterans returned home from the wars, many of them were denied the support and services offered to non-aboriginals, while others lost the benefits provided to the aboriginals living on reserves.”
The Government of Canada wreath was laid by NEMI Councillor Al Boyd; while the NEMI wreath was laid by Mayor Al MacNevin.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 177 wreath was laid by president Leslie Moore and past president Sue Morin.
The Navy League of Canada wreath was laid by branch president Bob Jewell.
The Royal Canadian Sea Cadets #348 Manitoulin wreath was laid by Commanding Officer Lieutenant (Navy) Boucher.
OPP Constable Ron Webster and retired Constable Deb Bowerman laid the police services wreath.
The UCCM Police wreath wreath was laid by Detective Constable Dan Bussieres.
The Haweater Unit of the Sudbury Shrine Club wreath was laid by Noble Bruce Gordon.
The Doric Lodge Masons wreath was laid by Rt. Wor. Bro. John Hodder with escort Wor. Bro. Mike Terry.
Manitoulin Health Centre wreath was laid by Duane Deschamps, facilities manager, on behalf of the board and staff of the Manitoulin Health Center.
Comrade Kari Bourque laid a wreath on behalf of the Manitoulin Family Health Team.
Rick Gjos laid a wreath on behalf of the Little Current United Church.
Representing the Lions Club was Lion president Bruce Burnett escorted by vice president Dave Draper.
Paramedic Audrey Jones, with escort Ali Thompson, laid a wreath on behalf of the Manitoulin/Sudbury District Paramedic Services.
NEMI Fire Chief Duane Deschamps laid a wreath on behalf of NEMI Fire Department.
Carolyn Harper laid a wreath on behalf of Dianne McCulloch, in memory of the veteran sons of Al and Lettie Drolet.
Craig Timmermans laid a wreath in memory of Gerry Timmermans who served in World War II as an RCAF wireless tail gunner.
Selena Bruno laid a wreath on behalf of the children of the world who were left as orphans by their parents’ sacrifice. Although Selena hasn’t lost a parent in war herself, she has lost relatives in both world wars and Vietnam.
Comrade Eaton noted that the Bruno family are members of the Manitoulin community in part because Selena’s Royal Canadian Air Force grandfather met and married her United States Air Force Grandmother while serving.
During the downtown service, ‘O Canada’ was led by Michael Erskine, followed by an invocation by Legion Chaplain Rev. Whitney Bruno.
The ‘Last Post’ was performed by bugler Tracy Mack (a former cadet herself), followed by silence, then ‘Rouse’ and the Act of Remembrance recited by Comrade Eaton. A 21-gun salute was provided by the Sgt. Charles Golden Ceremonial Rifle Team.
Retired Lt. (N) and OPP detective Denis Blake laid a wreath on behalf of the Army Navy Air Force Veterans (ANAVET).
Bob Jewell, whose uncle Archie Kruger served in the Korean War and was a member of the United Nations Peace Keeping Corps in Cyprus and in the Belgian Congo, laid the Peacekeeper wreath.
Indigenous veterans Audrey McGraw and Rosetta Toulouse laid the wreath on behalf of Indigenous veterans.
Legion president Leslie Moore, accompanied by past president Ruth Eadie, laid the Legion wreath.
The Manitoulin Expositor wreath was laid by associate editor Mike Erskine.
Jib Turner laid the Turners of Little Current wreath in memory of his grandfather, Lieutenant Grant H Turner.
Julia McCutcheon laid the Little Current United Church wreath.
Children of the World wreath was once again laid by Selena Bruno.
Comrade Eaton provided thanks to the Sgt. Charles Golden Ceremonial Rifle Team for providing the 21 gun salute, the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps 348 for their efforts, bugler Tracy Mack, and George Williamson who provided the sound system and live streamed the outdoor ceremony.
The outdoor services at the downtown Little Current cenotaph concluded with a benediction by Rev. Bruno and ‘God Save the King’ led by Michael Erskine.
