‘The sacrifice doesn’t stop’: Cornwall marks Remembrance Day

SD&G/CORNWALL – Cornwall was met with another year of unseasonably warm weather for Remembrance Day, which saw hundreds of people congregate at the cenotaph Wednesday.

Sunshine, a temperature of nine degrees and a light breeze, met onlookers as wreaths were laid at the foot of the stone monument at Second and Bedford Streets, for those that made the ultimate sacrifice.

After acknowledging the citizens of Cornwall that “fill this square and make it look good” and rhyming off the local police, military and fire organizations, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 297 Vice Chairman Hugh Primeau Sr. said “we are all family. We are here for one reason today…to remember those that paid that supreme sacrifice.”

RCL 297 President Linda Fisher also addressed attendees. “Today is a day to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice…it is not a celebration but an acknowledgment of all that has been done by the men and woman of our country.”

SD&G Highlanders Acting Capt. James Borer, who has spent 26 years in the military, told Cornwall Newswatch there’s a lot of reasons we take time to remember.

“For me, personally, a lot of my friends didn’t come back from Afghanistan and my family has a long history of serving, as a lot of Canadian families do,” Borer said.

The captain added there are two important reasons – to remember the sacrifices made to give us the life we have today in Canada. The other is, taking time to remember will help “be our compass to steer us in the right direction as Canada grows and moves forward so we maintain our freedoms and equality.”

While the World Wars frequently come to mind, Capt. Borer said people are recognizing the modern conflicts.

“The mindset has changed. It’s interesting. Not only are we remembering more of the modern actions but we are also remembering those that came before the first World War. As Canadians, I think we are becoming more aware of our history,” Borer said.

“We’ve lost a member in Iraq within the last year because we are over there helping the people that need to get free from ISIS. The sacrifice doesn’t stop. Until the world actually does live in complete peace, there will always be a need for the sacrifice,” Capt. Borer said.

The SD&G Highlanders commanding officer is currently in Haiti winding down the Canadian Forces United Nations-led mission there.

Borer was pleased with the turnout for today’s ceremony and said the community is unique for its level of patriotism or support for the military.

A Remembrance Day ceremony was held at Crysler’s Farm Battlefield earlier in the morning.

Click on a photo below to open a gallery of pictures from today’s ceremony.

Click on a photo below to open a gallery of Remembrance Day procession pictures. (Photos courtesy Phillip Blancher)