The Stratford Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is getting set for its Remembrance Day Ceremony on Monday in a year that also commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Air Force.
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The formal ceremony will be held at the cenotaph beginning at 10:30 am while wreaths from members of the community will be laid beginning at 10 am Veterans, cadets, first responders and dignitaries will then be marched from the Stratford Armories to the ceremony, led by the Stratford Police Pipes and Drums.
Tea Hamlet elementary school choir will then perform, followed by a Scripture reading from Rev. Marg Smith of Avondale United Church. The Call to Remembrance will be given by Rev. Mark Wolfe of St. Andrew’s Church while the Honor Roll will be read by the local legion’s padre, Rev. RL Read. The master of ceremonies, Richard Boon, with then announce the formal placing of the wreaths.
Bugler Robert Pope will play the Last Post and Rouse, while Pipe Major Dan Johnson will play the Rouse. Johnson will also play Amazing Grace to close out the event.
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“The Remembrance Day Service at the cenotaph is our privilege and an opportunity to honor the men and women who served Canada and their sovereign so that we may have the freedom of today,” Frank Mathieson, the local legion president, said.
By remembering, residents are paying tribute to all service members, not just those who served in the First and Second World Wars, Mathieson noted.
“We also acknowledge members engaged in peacekeeping, search and rescue operations, humanitarian relief, sovereignty patrol and disaster relief. And we must not forget that our veterans also include those serving in the RCMP, who together with all current members of the Canadian Forces, will one day become veterans themselves,” he said.
For those who cannot attend, the ceremony will also be broadcast live on Rogers TV (Cable 20 and rogerstv.com), on Wightman TV Channel 1 and webcast on Ballinran Entertainment’s YouTube channel.
Other Stratford-area Remembrance Day services
- Nov. 10 in Milverton: Milverton legion service begins at 10:45 am before traveling to the Perth East Recreation Center for 11 am ceremony
- Nov. 11 in St. Marys: Town Hall cenotaph. 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Nov. 11 in Mitchell: Downtown Mitchell cenotaph. 10:30 a.m.
- Nov. 11 in Listowel at the Listowel cenotaph. 10:45 a.m.
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