KAGAWONG—It has been a century since the youth of Manitoulin answered the call to fight for king and country in the War to End All Wars and this year The Old Mill Heritage Centre’s Remembrance Week annual military exhibit is placing a special focus on the Great War as they present ‘A Salute to our Veterans and Their Families.’
“This is the greatest collection we have ever had,” enthused museum curator Rick Nelson. “This will be the largest collection we have ever put on display. In fact, it will be the largest collection on display in all of Manitoulin Island.”
The pieces in the collection are on loan from the Irish Regiment and from private collections on Manitoulin. The bazooka being held by museum board member and councillor Tom Imrie in above photo is just one of the many weapons that will be on display. “We have stuff off tanks and cannons,” said Mr. Nelson. “We also have a huge collection of uniforms and medals on display.”
Mr. Nelson explained that this year, the prime focus will be on materials from the First World War. “It being the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War we felt it would be appropriate.”
As is the custom for military exhibits by The Old Mill Heritage Centre, the display will end on November 11, as the ceremonies recognizing the contributions of Canada’s veterans takes place at the Park Centre in Kagawong. “The Irish Regiment will once again be sending an honour guard and there will be lots of local veterans on hand.”
The master of ceremonies will be Diane Francis and the contribution of animals, dogs, horses and mules who supplied much of the cartage power in both world wars and who also suffered horrendously will be commemorated, noted Mr. Nelson.
“I will be giving a talk on the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand that was the catalyst for the First World War,” confirmed Mr. Nelson.
The military exhibit will be on display at the Old Mill Heritage Centre at 15 Mill Road in Kagawong from noon to 4 pm November 1 through to 11.
