Several generations await Teeterville Remembrance Service

People from many generations attended Sunday afternoon’s Remembrance service at the Wagner Memorial Legion in Teeterville.

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“We’re a tight-knit community – we’ve got one school, one fire hall, one legion – and people are encouraging the young ones to come out,” said Elizabeth Scholten, Legion Branch 526, president, noting it is a Wagner Memorial Legion tradition to hold its Remembrance service on the Sunday before Nov. 11.

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“We generally do have a good turnout and we’re proud of that because we double the size of Teeterville on this day,” said Michael Bergman, chair of the Branch 526 poppy campaign.

“It’s so heartening to see so many people show up, especially the young people with their families,” said MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, MPP Haldimand-Norfolk. “I think it’s very, very important that we come together as families for this very important day.”

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“I, too, would like to acknowledge all of the young folks here joining us today,” said Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin, attending Sunday’s service with Norfolk councilors Mike Columbus and Chris Van Paassen, “and thank mom and dad, grandma and grandpa for encouraging them. We know how important it is to carve out time, if only for just one day, to pay our respects and acknowledge the sacrifices that so many Canadians have made for us. Norfolk County will not be forgotten.”

Sunday’s service included the laying of more than 30 wreaths by dignitaries, Legion members, and the community.

Brady stressed the importance of Legions, and Army, Navy and Air Force units, as meeting places, but also for encouraging daily remembrance. As time goes by and the Great Wars, and more recent military conflicts, are further in the past, Brady said it’s possible to lose sight of ‘”the sacrifices men and women have made for each and every one of us.”

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“Now more than ever we need our Legions and our Army, Navy, Air Force units to be that gathering place for people and our community. And we as a community should be doing all that we can to join in their efforts to ensure society never forgets.”

Brady said there are events and projects in Haldimand-Norfolk that aim to create year-long remembrance.

She recalled Hagersville’s recent banner unveiling. She also noted three Teeterville brothers – Howard, Ivan and Harry Wagner – who served and died for their country, are remembered with photos prominently placed on the Wagner Memorial Legion Branch 526 building.

“It is our duty to never forget the service and sacrifices of more than 1.5 million Canadian soldiers, sailors, air crew and merchant seamen,” she said.

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“We have many problems today, but they are indeed surmountable because of others who paid the ultimate sacrifice. As we stand here in peace and safety, we pay our respects to all of the fallen, all of the wounded, and all who have served in conflicts over the past 100 years. Today, as we should every day, we remember and salute those who volunteered, sacrificed, served, fought and died for our freedom. We will remember them.”

The Wagner Memorial Legion poppy campaign will continue to Nov. 11.

“We put it out the last Friday in October,” said Bergman. “And we’ll stop after Remembrance Day.”

It can be challenging raising funds in a small community, Bergman said, but added, “This community is second to none.”

Martin and Brady also attended Port Rowan’s Remembrance Service on Sunday morning, 11 am at the Port Rowan community centre.

“Much like what you saw here, there were a lot of families, which is incredible,” said Brady. “Right from littles up to grandma and grandpa – that’s very heartbreaking.”

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