Remembrance Day Service – Thunder Bay 2012 – Lest we Forget!

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Lest We Forget
Fort William First Nation holds a ceremony today to honour veterans who have served and fought.
Lest We Forget
Fort William First Nation held a ceremony today to honour veterans who have served and fought – Photo by Lynda Henshell

THUNDER BAY – On Remembrance Day at 11AM we pause to remember those who have fought to defend our freedoms. From World War 1, World War 2, Korea, UN Peacekeeping Missions, and Afghanistan, Canadians have been on the frontlines.

This Remembrance Day, NetNewsledger.com and Shaw Cable Ten TV will be working together to bring you Remembrance Day Services in Thunder Bay from Fort William Gardens. The Live Broadcast over NNL will be followed on November 11th by a broadcast on Shaw Cable Ten at 2:00PM on Shaw Cable Ten in Thunder Bay.

Lest we forget!

Around the world, Remembrance Day is a time where we pause and reflect.

Remembrance Day 2012
Standing a quiet guard honouring the veterans from Canada’s Navy is the Naval Memorial at the Thunder Bay Waterfront – Remembrance Day 2012

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, from the battlefield penned these famous and lasting words:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

The broadcast of the 2012 Remembrance Day Service held at Fort William Gardens was before a large crowd of residents who came out to honour the role of the brave men and women who have fought for our freedoms and rights.

At Waverly Park, another large crowd came out to salute the veterans too.

Crowd gathers at Waverly Park to honour veterans
Crowd gathers at Waverly Park to honour veterans
Remembrance Day 2012
The Marching Bands and local military getting ready at Waverly Park – Remembrance Day 2012
Remembrance Day 2012 Waverly Park Thunder Bay
The low clouds, and quiet of the crowd presented how the people of Thunder Bay recognize and support the efforts of Canadian and American veterans

At Fort William First Nation, a ceremony was also held honouring veterans who have fought and served.

Remembrance on the Mountain

Special to NNL by Lynda Henshell

Over 150 people made the trek up to the Cenotaph on Mt. McKay in order to honor Aboriginal soldiers who have fought and given up so much in many wars. Aboriginal peoples from all parts of Canada served in the armed forces during the Second World War, fighting in many major battle’s and conflicts. Their service did not end there, with Fort William First Nations people continuing to serve to this day. Local Fort William First Nation residents serve in both the Local Lakehead Superior Scottish Regiment, and the 18 Service Battalion Reserve Units as well as all across Canada.

The soldiers were honored with traditional drumming and song, a smudging ceremony, the Fort William First Nations Children’s choir, the traditional ‘Taps’ and ‘Amazing Grace’ were also played by a bugler and piper.

A revised rendition of ‘In Flander’s Fields’ was sung by Beatrice Twance-Hynes.

“Most lives of Aboriginal veterans are not recognized,” said Master of Ceremony, Cathy Banning. “A chance to honor Aboriginal veterans is near and dear to our hearts”.

A large number of people including Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy were called to lay wreaths in honor of the fallen and wounded. The ceremony was followed by a luncheon welcome to all attendees at the Fort William First Nation Community Center.

military members, veterans and Cadets. The Lakehead Superior Scottish Regiment, 18 Service Battalion and 2294 RoyalCanadian Army Cadet Corp participated
Fort William First Nation military members, veterans and Cadets.
The Lakehead Superior Scottish Regiment, 18 Service Battalion and 2294 RoyalCanadian Army Cadet Corp participated – Photo by Lynda Henshell
Dignitaries laying wreaths included Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins, Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy, and other Chiefs from nearby First Nations
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