Brampton Remembrance Day 2017

Day For Remembrance

Canadian Pride & Honour

Yes it was cold, but not unlike the brave men and women who had to endure the frigid conditions on the frozen battlefields of Europe, while gunfire, mortar shells rained havoc all around them.  We are Canadian, we are strong and resilient and do not crack under cold weather conditions, we can brave the elements as proven at Brampton’s Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony in Downtown Brampton on Saturday November 11.

Bramptonians again, as always gathered along Main St, Garden Square, and at the Cenotaph at City Hall to witness or take part in this year’s Remembrance Day Ceremony.  Poppies were worn with Canadian pride, on jackets and hats.  Wearing them in honour of all the men & women who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we here in Canada, such a wonderful country, can live in peace, freedom and enjoy all the great things Canada has to offer.  Others also donned their poppies in honour of a loved one who served in the various conflicts Canada has been a part of.  Whether it is for a grandfather, uncle, aunt, even a son who had a tour of Afghanistan, poppies were on display.

The Parade

The parade portion of the event started around 10:30, beginning with armoured vehicles, and jeeps, which made its way via Theatre Lane and Main St. and ended on Wellington St.  Following the motor brigade, veterans, Mayor Linda Jeffrey and her Councillors, and other various organizations marched along main St., and then gathered in Ken Whillans Square and Cenotaph to observe the two minutes of silence and Remembrance Day service and ceremony.

Ken Whillans Square was bursting at the seams from the marchers to Brampton residents who shrugged off the cold as it seeped into the bones, in order to take part in the Ceremony.

The Service

The service was conducted by Reverend Joseph Murphy CD, who said the prayers and conducted the proceedings.  The playing of “O Canada,” Taps was played and a deathly quiet two minutes of silence was observed, which ended with the gun salute. Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey read the scripture passage “Isaiah”, a fly pass of three by-planes soared in from the south west and flew over the proceedings twice.

There was a rededication for the Cenotaph in honour of The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin, and Halton Regiments) for their contributions for defending our country during the War of 1812, years 1812-1815.  They were awarded four battle honours for battles fought at Detroit, Niagara, Queenston and the Defense of Canada.  The Rededication was performed by Reverend Joseph Murphy CD and at the conclusion the gun crew of HMS Moire fired a cannon shot, for a salute. 

Rededication War of 1812

Following the rededication, Kim Wheatly an Anishinaabe Cultural Consultant conducted the smudging ceremony. A traditional First Nations Cultural Practice to cleanse the spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental aspects of a human being.  The smudge consists of white buffalo sage, or a braid of sweetgrass. It was lit by Kim and using a feather drew the smoke all around the Cenotaph in honour of all the native peoples who helped defend Canada in the various conflicts which also includes the War of 1812.

Smudging Ceremony

The next on the agenda was the placing of the wreaths by various groups, which included The 3 offices of Government, military such as The Lorne Scots, and the Royal Canadian Legion, and from a series of other organizations such as the Boy Scouts, and Huttonville Public School.

Placing of the Wreaths

Youth pay their Respects to Bill Burrell

Other notables who contributed their efforts to the Ceremony were Samantha Piper who sang beautifully “O Canada” and “God Save the Queen” Also contributing their sweet voices were the student choir from Ecole elementaire catholique Sainte-Jeanne-d’ard.

           

The Ceremony ended with the playing of “God Save the Queen”, and to finish off in style, a March Pass along Wellington St. with Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey and Colonel William Alexander Adcock OMM CD, for the salute.

March Pass

Remembrance Day here in Canada is a big deal, and this reporter has seen the popularity of the event gain in stature over the last ten years, no more so than right here in Brampton.  Case in point,  the number of people lining Main St. to watch the parade, and the enormous crowd that gathered around Ken Whillans Square and the surrounding areas around City Hall.  

It is truly heart-warming to see and be a part of, regardless of how cold or damp it is. Bramptonians of all ages and different backgrounds endured the elements to pay their undying respects to these wonderful men & women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us, and to be able to live in this great country of Canada, and to be proud Canadians.  

We do things right in this country when it comes to honouring our fallen heroes, The Highway of Heroes and Remembrance Day.

            Yes it was cold, but so what we are Canadians and there was plenty of heart-warming moments from this year’s Remembrance Day.

Next year will make the 100^th Anniversary of the end of The First World War; it will be a special ceremony no doubt.  So mark the calendar for November 11, 2018

Lest We Forget

Thank you for viewing

Thank you Dakota Bowen for your assistance & Photography

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