Tribute to Canadian War Veterans, Special Remembrance Day - Nov.11/2005

Remembrance Day November 11, is for men and women who served and continue to serve our country during war, conflict and peace, specifically the First and Second World War, and Korean War.

The year 2005 was the Tribute to War Veterans to pay special tribute to Canadian veterans of the last century and to say Thank you plus the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Four students who went to the town High School and had some Military background. They wanted to do something special for the Tribute to the War Veterans on Nov.11/2005. They came to me and asked for help, I have known these students for a few years, I said yes. They had some training as Honour Guards in the past years. I had them write a letter on October 18/2005 to the local Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion to be a Honour Guard at the Cenotaph.

Dear Legion Members

It would be an honour to serve at the Cenotaph as Honour Guards on November 11/ 2005, this would show our gratitude for those who fought for us.

All four signed the letter.

The Legion wrote back - Yes.

Steps to get ready for Nov.11/2005:

1 - We went to the StratfordFestival Theatre Costume Storage Dept, we can rent the Uniforms. We looked around, we found Green Wool W.W. 2 Bomber Jackets withWoolGreenPants and purple Berets. They decided not to go with the Green Wool Pants instead they were going to wear Black Pants.

2 - We have the Uniforms, now we need rifles. I had a friend cut the rifles out of wood and I painted them.

3 - The students came to my home and they did some drill practice, my home is not far from the Cenotaph.

Tribute to The Canadian War Veteran, Remembrance Day Service November 11/ 2005:

!0:30 A.M.The Veterans marched to the Cenotaph and when everyone was ready - O Canada was played by the Legion Band, The Last Post was played by a trumpet at 11:00 A.M. Two Minutes of Silence, The Act of Remembrance was read: They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning "WE WILL REMEMBER THEM", then Reveille was played by a trumpet.......... Remembrance Day Service, opening prayer was read. The students stood reverent at the Cenotaph, rifles in hand, W.W.2 Bomber jacket and black pants, honouring those who were not much older when they left for war. It was a very cold day and they stood at attention for a 1/2 an hour until the service ended with God Save the Queen. It was a beautiful service! After the service we all went back to the Legion for a hot bowl of soup with the Veterans.

Photo below was taken at the Cenotaph.