Children played in the background in Lindsay Cullen Park on November 10, as a crowd of approximately 100 people gathered to remember those who fought and who gave their lives for this country during the annual wreath-laying ceremony.
The Remembrance Day activities began in Ormstown with the traditional parade, which started at St. Paul’s United Church at the village centre and continued to the cenotaph. Mayor Christine McAleer laid a wreath, as did representatives from the Royal Canadian Legion, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the federal, provincial, and regional governments, the Sûreté du Québec, the fire department, the United Nations, and the local Guides and Scouts.
A similar scene took place earlier in the day in Huntingdon, where members of the Legion were accompanied by the Elgin and District Pipe and Drums, RCMP officers, and members of the Huntingdon Scout and Girl Guide organizations as they paraded to the cenotaph in Prince-Arthur Park, where a large crowd was gathered for the sombre ceremony.
The parade followed an ecumenical Remembrance Day service that took place at the Legion. Those in attendance were invited back to the Legion for a light lunch served by the Ladies’ Auxiliary.
A ceremony took place at the cenotaph in Hemmingford as well on November 10, attended by members of the Legion, a piper, and around 45 soldiers from the Royal Canadian Hussars of Montreal. Six soldiers formed the Colour Party and five soldiers formed the Cenotaph Sentry, while the remainder stood around the cenotaph where locals gathered for the ceremony.
A second ceremony took place in Hemmingford on Remembrance Day as well.
Other activities and ceremonies throughout the Valley included special assemblies at Chateauguay Valley Regional High School, where the school community came together for a moment of remembrance and reflection. The heartfelt ceremonies included meaningful readings, poignant music, and video presentations that told the stories of those who have served.