SPRING BAY—Many people from around the Island took time on a beautiful sunny, warm day to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect the lives and freedom of all Canadians.
“Good afternoon, everyone. It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you here today on behalf of Western Manitoulin Branch 514 and Little Current Branch 177 of the Royal Canadian Legion on this, our 102 anniversary of the unveiling of the first Cenotaph here at Monument Corner and Highway 542,” stated Comrade Jim Woods, of the RCL Branch 514, who was master of ceremonies for the Decoration Day service held this past Sunday.
“They stepped forward as young as 16 to make sure the oppression was not allowed to take from us what our people had worked for and built to make our country what it is,” said Mr. Woods. “Our yearly ceremony is but a small debt we owe them. They gave their all, even their life. I am proud to stand here today as a son of a veteran, for without their sacrifice I would not be able to do this.”
“Our present veterans and service persons keep giving us this opportunity and we owe so much to them as well,” continued Mr. Woods. “I salute them. I have one request to you the public, please never forget what they did, what they gave and what they still do. I ask you all to please promote remembrance. This is the only way we can pay them back for their sacrifice and commitment to our well being for what we have today. May God bless them.”
Mr. Woods’ statements were made after the parade on the cenotaph grounds, led by Parade Marshall Comrade Ron Steeves.
The invocation was delivered by Pastor Joel Lock. After the parade came to attention, the national anthem was led by the Central Manitoulin Public School choir led by teacher Ellen Ferguson.
Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing said, “As we mark Decoration Day here today to pay tribute to those who served our country and have been laid to rest here on Manitoulin Island, we remember all Canadians who served and put their lives on the line to defend our nation and our values, from the Battle of Ridgeway right through to our current missions. We also express our deepest appreciation to their families,” said MP Hughes.
Michael Mantha, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin told the gathering, “Each year, many thousands of Canadians take pause and gather to recognize the Allied Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Military leaders, Royal Canadian Legion members, clergy members, and politicians like myself traditionally deliver messages, offering words of thank to those who served or made the ultimate sacrifice. As well, we generally also include a sense of the intense pride Canadians can feel because of our herculean contribution. Canada’s contribution held strong like ship’s anchor rope on that day when the momentum of World War II swung in the Allied Force’s favour. It will forever be remembered as a day of unparalleled unity in Canadian history.”
RCL District H Chaplain Gary MacPherson said both his father and uncle served in the CAF. “I look out at the crowd today and I see the wonderful cadets, the police officers and firefighters. We have to encourage our children and children to go into CAF. They need our help and we need to build up our armed services.”
On behalf of Indigenous people of Manitoulin, Audrey Stone, assistant to Chief Patsy Corbiere of Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation (AOK) delivered a message on behalf of Chief Corbiere. “Chief Corbiere sends regrets for not being able to be in attendance here today,” said Ms. Stone. “Thank you inviting me to today’s ceremony. I am very sorry to miss such an important event.”
Chief Corbiere in her letter read by Ms. Stone said that she had selected Ms. Stone who was instrumental in putting together a celebration in AOK for a ceremony and a new wall in AOK which displays the names of veterans in the community and a salute by the AOK rifle team.
“CAF members are ordinary people whose service to their country is extraordinary,” said Ms. Stone.
The Last Post was performed by Comrade Roy Eaton, followed by one minute of silence, the Lament by Pipe Major Stuart Gagan, and the Rouse by Comrade Eaton, followed by the Act of Remembrance by Comrade Jim Woods and the rifle salute by the Sergeant Charles A. Golden Rifle Team.
The laying of wreaths ceremony took place with representatives being accompanied by members of the Sea Cadets. Those taking part included: Silver Cross representative Georgina Cada; MP Carol Hughes; MPP Michael Mantha; CAF Comrade Robert Lamb; RCL District H Chaplain Gary MacPherson; Zone H3 representative 1st Deputy Commander Gary MacPherson; Indigenous veterans Audrey Stone; RCL Western Manitoulin second vice-president Beverly Wright; RCL Little Current Branch 177 president Leslie Moore and past president Ruth Eadie; Manitoulin North Shore president Comrade Jim Kiviaho; Navy League Manitoulin president comrade Bob Jewell; Manitoulin North Shore Naval Veterans first vice-president Comrade Roy Eaton; Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Manitoulin Squadron 348 Commander Sylvain Boucher; Spanish River Chapter 237 Order of Eastern Star Worthy Matron Alice Varey; Sudbury/Manitoulin District Masons of Doric Lodge Keith Legge; Haweater Unit of the Sudbury Shrine Club Noble Bruce Gordon; Sudbury Shrine Club President Sam Khowny and Dick McIvor; International Shrine Day Ambassador Noble Barry Tooley; Manitoulin detachment of the OPP Constable Adam Trurx; Municipality of Central Manitoulin Mayor Richard Stephens; Bernie Andrews; Keith Flaherty in memory of his father Thomas Flaherty and Barbara Russell Flaherty in memory of her dad Frederick Russell; Comrade Linda Bowerman at the Women’s memorial and CMPS student Bella Ferguson, granddaughter of a World War II veteran.
Mr. Woods thanked the many people who helped organize and put on the ceremony, veterans, the Sudbury and District Pipe and Drum Band, guests and all those in attendance.
