SD&G remembers the fallen and honours those who serve
Photo left: North Dundas councillor, fireman and local business man, John Thompson, was bestowed the honour of laying the wreath representing the Canadian federal government in front of the cenotaph at the Chesterville Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 11. Moore photo
Photo right: Two members of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corp Stormont led the march to the cenotaph in Ingleside during a Remembrance Day ceremony held Nov. 10. Thompson Goddard photo

At the conclusion of the ceremony in Winchester, everyone gathered around the cenotaph outside Winchester District Memorial Hospital to lay down wreaths in memory of those who have fallen. On behalf of the Township of North Dundas, Mayor Tony Fraser laid down a wreath. Glover photo

CHESTERVILLE – In times of peace and in times of war, Canadians have answered the call to service in order to protect the freedoms enjoyed in this country. Remembrance Day provides an opportunity for gathering at war memorials to commemorate the sacrifices made on our behalf by the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The First World War, sometimes referred to as The Great War for Civilization, began on Aug. 4, 1914 with Great Britain declaring war on Germany. Canada, as a member of the British Empire, was also automatically at war and within months, thousands of Canadians were en-route to the battlefields of France. Despite many feeling the war would be over before the end of 1914, it lingered on until an Armistice was signed that saw the cessation of hostilities coming into effect at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918 so peace negotiations could begin. Within a year, the Treaty of Versailles was signed, which ended the war and for a time peace seemed a reality.

Not unlike Nov. 11, 1813 when the Battle of Crysler’s Farm was fought on farmer’s fields near Morrisburg, the skies were dark and the air damp, as people gathered to remember a pivotal British victory during the War of 1812-14. Thompson Goddard photo

First called Armistice Day, Nov. 11 became known as Remembrance Day in 1931 when a bill was passed in the federal parliament. It is a day set aside for all to remember the sacrifices made on their behalf by those in the Armed Forces of this nation. The Royal Canadian Legion has for decades been an integral part of the organizing of local Ceremonies of Remembrance in communities across this country. Working with community organizations, schools and government officials, branches of the Royal Canadian Legion have ensured that we will always remember how in peace time as well as times of conflict, Canadians have answered the call to duty.