REMEMBRANCE DAY 2022

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 270 Coldwater held its annual Remembrance Day service on Friday, November 11. After two years of restrictions on public gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was nice to see the large crowd that showed up to pay respects to our Fallen. For the first time in two years, members of the community could actually lay wreaths in memory of loved ones. Several official wreaths were also laid on behalf of the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Ladies Auxiliary, and other organisations.

As Remembrance Day also signalled the end of this year's active Poppy Campaign, we wish to thank the many groups, local businesses and individuals who contributed in so many ways to the Coldwater Legion's Poppy Campaign. Thank you to those who took part in our Veterans Banner program in Coldwater, with banners featuring deceased Veterans put on display in store front windows around the village main street. We hope shoppers and passersby appreciated this initiative. And thank you, all of you who proudly wore your Poppy during the past two weeks. This simple gesture of Remembrance is perhaps the best guarantee that in the future, We Will, indeed, Remember Them.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

1 - Representing the Ladies Auxiliary, Comrade Anne McArthur pays her respect after laying a wreath on behalf of the Ladies. (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

2 – Christine Shaw and Ainsley Fountain lay a wreath in memory of RAF Veteran Richard Ainsley. (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

3 - A Coldwater Branch Colour Party marches on to signal the beginning of the Remembrance Day ceremony. Comrade Rick Morse leads with the national flag, followed by Comrade Wayne Tutt. (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

4 - Don Beach laid a wreath on behalf of the Coldwater Scouts. (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

5 - Representing the Province of Ontario, Jane Dunlop laid a wreath on behalf of Jill Dunlop, MPP (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

6 – Larry & Barb Gill laid a wreath in memory of Harry Dale. (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

7 - Escorted by Chief Warrant Officer Dan Thomas (right), Lieutenant-Colonel Nathalie Cathcart laid a wreath on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

8 – Several local Veterans and Legion members marched in the parade leading to the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph. (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

9 - Mayor Mike Burkett lays a wreath on behalf of the Township of Severn (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

10 - Coldwater Branch Immediate Past President, Norm Marion, addresses the participants assembled on the street across from the Coldwater Cenotaph. (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

11 – With the Colour Party and Veterans leading, the parade marches through the main street for the Remembrance Day ceremony in Coldwater (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

12 – The parade salutes Reviewing Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Nathalie Cathcart of CFB Borden, as the Colour Party, Veterans, and Canadian Armed Forces troops march through Coldwater streets for the Remembrance Day ceremony. (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

13 – Local piper Andrew Phillips played Laments during the Remembrance Day service in Coldwater. (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

14 – Coldwater Branch Chaplain, Reverend Ron McLean offered prayers and benediction at the Remembrance Day service in Coldwater. (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

15 – Branch Sergeant-at-Arms Comrade Rick Morse lays a wreath in memory of Peacekeepers (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

16 – Students from the Coldwater Public School read the poem 'In Flanders Fields' by Lieutenant-Colonel John McRae. (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

17 - Vigils from the Canadian Armed Forces stood at the four corners of the Cenotaph during the Remembrance Day ceremony in Coldwater. (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

18 – Branch President Comrade Wayne Tutt salutes after laying a wreath on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion. (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)

19 - More than 50 wreaths were laid during the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Coldwater Cenotaph. (Photo by Wanda Beaudoin)