It was a sobering Remembrance Day with thoughts of the recent wildfire at CFB Wainwright that killed four soldiers and injuring 39, in addition to the current world events being in many people’s minds. Under a grey sky and a cool temperature, Remembrance Day brought many Veterans and residents together at the Stittsville Cenotaph. They were present to pay their respects to our brave soldiers who have gone before us and to thank those who are serving Canada today.
A colour party and the Smiths Falls Gordon pipe band led veterans in a parade down Main Street to the Stittsville Cenotaph. Stittsville Legion President, Garth Lee, addressed the crowd sharing the importance of recognizing our veterans and those who are serving Canada presently. The poems – Freedom Road, In Flander’s Fields, and High Flight – were recited by MP Bruce Fanjoy, MPP George Darouze, and Councillor Glen Gower.
The Kanata Sea Cadets stood as sentries at the Cenotaph and their fellow cadets escorted those laying a wreath to the Cenotaph. Jordan McConnell, our community bagpiper, performed the Piper’s Lament – a traditional performance which originally mimicked the sounds of women and children crying over their dead.
Wreaths were laid on the Cenotaph by several Stittsville Veterans, Legion members, Stittsville’s Silver Cross parents Richard and Claire Leger, family members in honour of someone lost, local associations and our local politicians.
- Claire and Richard Léger – Memorial Silver Cross Parents
- Garth Lee, President of the Stittsville Legion, Branch 618
- Ron Currie, on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces
- Bruce Fanjoy, MP – Federal Government
- George Darouze, MPP – Provincial Government
- Councillor Glen Gower and Councillor-elect Chelsea Walton – City of Ottawa
- Young members – Stittsville Scouts Association
- Scott Phelan – Ottawa Catholic School Board
- Students from Sacred Heart High School
- Students from Westwind Public School
- Suzelle Allen – Stittsville Friendship Club
- Dr. Jen Rowland and Phil Sweetnam – on behalf of the Goulbourn Museum
- MaryLou O’Rourke – Stittsville Goulbourn Horticultural Society
- Dave Rooke & Charles Mossman – Stittsville-Ottawa Rotary Club
- Robert Gregory – on behalf of the Stittsville District Lions Club
- Youth from the Stittsville Scouts and Cubs
- Steve of the Stittsville Barber Shop – laid by a Cadet
- Louise Beggs – Catholic Women’s League
- Mark Heckman – on behalf of the Stittsville Goulbourn Historical Society
- June Warner and family – in memory of Ivan Warner
- Lynn Griffith – in memory of Roger and Bea Griffith
Remember the fallen and keep those serving in your thoughts.
As they have done for several years, Stittsville Optometry shared their video of the parade marching down Stittsville Main Street – https://www.facebook.com/reel/1147924368024447.