WIIKWEMKOONG—Wiikwemkoong again showed its unwavering support for its warriors, past and present, at the Remembrance Day ceremonies held at Holy Cross Church on November 11.
A sacred fire was lit between Holy Cross Church and the ruins the morning of Remembrance Day, before the morning’s proceedings at 10:30 am.
The Remembrance Day service began with the blessing of the wreaths, purification and smudge by Father Paul Robson and James Rainville. The national anthem was sung in Anishinaabemowin by Rosa Pitawanakwat-Burke before Wiikwemkoong Ogimaa Rachel Manitowabi gave a welcoming address.
“There really are no words to describe today, none that are wholly adequate other than perhaps ‘In Flanders’ Fields,’” the ogimaa began.
“Today is the day the people, our people, rose up to fight for what’s right,” Ogimaa Manitowabi continued. “Our people went willingly, went without being asked, despite being oppressed and being less than—not allowed to vote, own land, have an education.”
Ogimaa Manitowabi noted that the warriors of Wiikwemkoong rose up for all people on Turtle Island. “Imagine they had not fought as valiantly as they did? We would not enjoy the peace and freedoms we enjoy now.”
“The veterans knew that in order to fight for such basic rights they may have to give their lives, and they did,” Ogimaa Manitowabi said. “They fought for the concept of mino bimaadiziwin (a good life), even though they were oppressed—I stand here today humbled. We need to be very proud of our people, as a community.”
Ms. Pitawanakwat-Burke then led the singing of the ‘Battle Hymn of the Anishinaabek’ with those in attendance joining in on the chorus. ‘In Flanders’ Fields’ was then recited in Anisnaabemowin and English.
Father Paul Robson played ‘Last Post’ while the church bell tolled 21 times for those warriors who did not return from WWI, WWII and Korea followed by two minutes of silence. The Father then played ‘Rouse.’
The Act of Remembrance was given by Steven George with the Legion Prayer offered by Corporal Wayne Pitawanakwat. Steven George offered a roll call for those who were killed in action.
Student Olive Trudeau-Bomberry offered the Commitment of Remembrance before the Remembrance Day Mass began.
Following the church service, Father Robson led a procession of those who were laying wreaths in honour of their warriors to the cenotaph located in the Holy Cross cemetery.
Among those families was Marie Rogers, daughter of Phillip Pitawanakwat, who served in the First World War as a sapper, an engineer who worked digging trenches and buiding and repairing bridges. Ms. Rogers said her father did not speak much about his experiences in the war, namely France.
The family of Wilfred Trudeau also laid a wreath in remembrance of their father and grandfather. Daughter Janice sports earrings with the impish grin of her father in uniform, helmet slightly cocked, the same photo they hold proudly.
“He was in the 101st Airborne, Screaming Eagles,” they share, noting that he tried to enlist at age 16 at home, but was turned away because of his age. Willy, as their father was known at the time, simply crossed the border and enlisted with the US Army, going overseas as a short order cook.
Willy saw a lot of action, including the liberation of the concentration camp at Auschwitz, which caused him to have a role at the Nuremburg Trials once the war had ended. He was pinned with a Bronze Star and had three Purple Hearts to his name for being wounded in the call of duty. Willy’s two brothers and sister also served in WWII.
Son Lorne Trudeau shared the story of how their father was awarded the Bronze Star. Willy was ordered to stand guard on the roof of rowhouses. While stationed there he heard a commotion below. There he saw two Nazi soldiers, cocking their Luger pistols. He fired upon them, killing them onsite. An American voice called out afterwards, asking who was there. Willy responded. He was told he had just saved the lives of a corporal and his man. The Wiikwemkoong soldier said he was just doing as he was ordered. His dog tag information was taken down and later, while at Nuremburg, he received his Bronze Star. The other soldier saved did not survive the war, but his family did send Willy their thanks for his service.
Willy saw service in Italy, Africa, Belgium, Austria, Germany and France.
Lorne Trudeau, with a wry grin, shared a story his father told him. Willy was in France for its liberation. He was told by his commanding officer that he must return to that spot in three days’ time to report back to duty. Willy looked around at the spectacle of people celebrating in the street. He set his eye on a French woman, carrying a bottle of wine, baguette and brick of cheese. He sidled over to the woman, wrapped his arm around her and she took him back to his apartment. His son had asked, ‘What did you do for three days?’ to which the father replied with a grin, ‘What do you think I did? It was lots of fun.’
