As Highland Grove resident Barb Munroe sang the hymn Abide with Me, she looked out on a crowd of approximately 100 who gathered under sunny skies to honour Canada’s fallen in front of the Wilberforce War Memorial.
“My parents, my uncles all served in the Second World War. It’s memorable for people our age to be able to come out and celebrate,” she said.
She was especially glad to see dozens of children from Wilberforce Elementary School attend the ceremony.
“For people of the younger generation, they might not have grandparents who served. It’s nice for them to see even the camaraderie that’s displayed on a day like this. These are all local people here, and it’s a show of respect.”
Since the OPP closed the road in front of the memorial for the duration of the service, only the gentle flap of a half-mast Canadian flag and the rustle of trees could be heard during the 11 a.m. moment of silence.
Ordained priest Ted Morris, who led an opening prayer and presentation, acknowledged the impact of war resonates in 2022 as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues.
“Those who do not remember the past are condemned, and I repeat condemned, to repeat it,” he said.
