Photo Karen Graham
A crowd of 200 joined service members at this year’s Remembrance Day service.
This year’s Remembrance Day Service at the Millbrook Cenotaph drew a crowd of approximately 200 people, including students from three local schools, residents, shop owners, current and retired service men and women in uniform, as well as two WWII veterans, who came to mark the sombre occasion.
Beginning with the parade, the service continued as James Strath students sang the national Anthem followed by prayers and messages of thanks and remembrance from local clergy including retired Reverend John Sloan, St. Thomas Priest in Charge Robert Ross and United Church Reverend Lynda Hodgins.
The service continued with the laying of wreaths, with the most significant honourary wreath laid by Young Me Kim performing the role of Silver Cross Mother. A Silver Cross Mother is chosen each year by the Royal Canadian Legion to lay a wreath during the Remembrance Day ceremony on behalf of all mothers who have lost children in the service of their country. The title is named for the Silver Cross, a medal awarded to such mothers by the Canadian Forces in the name of Queen Elizabeth II. Mrs. Kim was accompanied that day by her entire family- husband Min who operates Millbrook Convenience, son Eugene, a business student at Laurier, daughter Audrey, a nursing student at Queens, and her eldest son Andrew who serves as Lieutenant in the Logistics area at the Winnipeg base of the Canadian Air Force.
Among those laying wreaths were relatives of fallen soldiers, representatives of protective service staff, political dignitaries, business leaders and Legion and community members. Remembrance Day is a memorial day established to commemorate the end of the First World War and is observed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11 month, a time signally that of the formal armistice signed by Germany and the members of the Allies that day. The service included the reading of Moina Michael’s poem, “We Shall Remember”, with the crowd echoing the refrain. Many in the audience joined their neighbours for a luncheon hosted at the local legion where attendees appreciated the warmth and comfort of our community made possible by the sacrifice of those in uniform protecting our nation. KG
