By IAN ROBERTSON
Remembrance Day salute to fallen and living veterans at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 101. Photos by Ian Robertson.
Thousands of people gathered in South Etobicoke and across Canada to pay tribute to our veterans on Remembrance Day.
The front lawn of the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL), Branch 101, at 3850 Lake Shore Blvd. W., was packed with residents who paid their respects to the surviving veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
There were more than 200 people, ranging from infants to seniors, at the RCL Long Branch service, with cadets lined up at the front, people surrounding, including several veterans – a couple seated in chairs.
Printed programs were available inside the branch. Recorded music was included.
Wreaths laid to remember our veterans at the Long Branch Cenotaph.
The service began with a March on the Colours, led by Sergeant-at-Arms Cole Hayes, then “O Canada” sung by everyone, followed by lowering of the Maple Leaf flag on the pole in front of the legion hall.
The opening hymn was ‘Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord.’
A message was delivered by Branch 101 President Tom Flockary, after which he read names of the five RCL comrades who passed away over the past year.
The opening prayer was delivered by Lieutenant David Hipperson, of the Salvation Army Lakeshore Community Church, who is Padre of the RCL Branch.
Todd McAlary before Remembrance Day Service, Royal Canadian Legion, Long Branch, with photos of his grandfather, Burton McAlaru, 8th Hussars, Sussex, N.B., who served in First and Second World War. By Ian Robertson.
A lament was followed by Reveille and the Canadian flag being raised, then reading of an Act of Remembrance by Padre Hipperson, a Commitment of Remembrance, a response to that, followed by wreaths being laid, recitation of “In Flanders Fields’, a benediction, a closing prayer, singing of “Amazing Grace’, then “God Save the King’, a march-off-of colours and falling out.
Numerous visitors brought poppies to lay with the wreaths, after which guests were invited into the RCL.
The first wreaths were laid by representatives of the Federal Government, Veterans, Veterans Affairs, the Provincial Government, the City of Toronto, and District ‘D’ zone branches.
Members of the community laying wreaths in honour of our Veterans then and now.
At the Long Branch Cenotaph at noon, a shorter service was held with some of the same participants, led by Sergeant-at-Arms Cole Hayes.
Several dozen people were in attendance, with the service much shorter but memorable.
As they did at the RCL Long Branch, City Councillor/Toronto Deputy Mayor Amber Morley and MPP Christine Hogarth were among those who laid wreaths.
Young and old honour our valiant soldiers who fought for our country.
The Long Branch Cenotaph was constructed in 1933 in memory of residents who lost their lives in World War I, WW11 and the Korean War.
The Cenotaph stands in a small park on Long Branch Avenue south of the Lakeshore Boulevard. The Wright Family, extensive land owners in the community, donated this small parcel of land to the village of Long Branch to be held in perpetuity.
It was also indicated at that time that a Cenotaph was to be erected on the site.
At a service downtown Mayor Olivia Chow said 125,000 Canadians saw service at home and abroad. Some 10,000 Toronto soldiers died in conflicts over the years.
There were similar services held at the Cenotaph at Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Kipling Avenue and at Etobicoke Civic Centre.