Collingwood Says
"Thank You"
Remembrance Day 2009
"Thank You"
Remembrance Day 2009
They shall not grow old,
As we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn them.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them.
and remembering our solemn obligation,
may we ever pray:
Lord God of Hosts; be with us yet;
Lest we forget; lest we forget.
Canadian casualties in the five wars that Canada has fought in since 1899 include 244 in the Boer War (1899-1902), 66,655 in the First World War (1914-1918), 44,893 in the Second World War (1939-1945), 516 in the Korean War (1950 - 1953), and to date, more than 130 in Afghanistan.
In Collingwood, bright sunshine and a mild late-fall day greeted a large crowd that erupted into loud applause as our veterans marched to the cenotaph. The 2009 Silver Cross Lady was Bev Nelson. The crowd sang our national anthem a little louder this year, and then stood in silence during the playing of the Last Post by Don Doner. Collingwood Mayor Chris Carrier and Deputy Mayor Sandra Cooper participated in the Laying of the Wreaths, representing the Town of Collingwood. MP Helena Guergis and MPP Jim Wilson participated as well on behalf of the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. Students from Cameron Street Public School represented Canada's Youth. Collingwood Legion President Rob Graham read In Flanders Field. Many wreaths and donations to the Poppy fund paid tribute to the memory of Collingwood war veterans who are no longer with us.
So many familiar faces are no longer with us. They are not here to march any more. Only memories remain.
Again, and always, we say "Thank You Veterans. Thank You."
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.
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.