Cold, windy weather for Kincardine Remembrance Day ceremony

Despite the cold, windy weather Friday morning, there was a huge crowd gathered at the cenotaph beside the Kincardine Legion for the annual Remembrance Day ceremony.

It was standing-room only inside the Legion hall for the Remembrance Day service held at 10 a.m., led by Rev. Jim Weir, Legion padre, with Liz Dadson at the piano. Legion president Mary Farrell and vice-president Jim McDonald read the Scripture.

Weir told the crowd that he chose the story of Ruth for his message to relay the impact on people forced from their home land, such as today's Syrian refugees.

"Refugee re-settlement is not new," he said. "In 1786, my ancestors left the United States and settled near Kingston."

He said during the First World War, in those four years, the war collapsed four empires, and bankrupted Europe, financially and emotionally. It also destroyed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

A recent CBC report, he said, stated that 110,000 Canadians have been killed in overseas wars; and 158 Canadians died in the war in Afghanistan.

"Two minutes seems a small sacrifice to remember them," said Weir.

"Remembrance Day is a call to service," he said. "In our New Testament lesson, the people ask Jesus, 'When did we help you?' And Jesus said, 'When you fed the hungry, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, visited the prisoners, it was as if you had done it unto Me.'

"We are aware of the plight of the refugee, and we are thankful for the people in the community who help those in need."

He said Kincardine has lost a number of veterans this year. We remember them, by wearing a poppy, and by purchasing a wreath to place at the cenotaph, with the money going to help veterans. Last year, the local poppy campaign raised $30,000.

Weir then read the poem, "In Flanders Fields," and urged the crowd to always remember those who fought for our freedom.

"Many of the dead live on, because we remember them," he said. "And so, life triumphs over death."

Outside the Legion, Robert Grey led the ceremony, with the Colour Party forming up beside the cenotaph. Several wreaths were placed until 11 a.m., when "O Canada" was played, followed by "The Last Post" played by bugler Ray Kester, "The Lament" by piper Jennifer Farrell of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band, two minutes of silence, and then "Reveille" by Kester.

The remaining wreaths were placed, and the ceremony ended with the singing of "God Save the Queen."

Everyone was invited inside the Legion to warm up with coffee and hot chocolate, followed by lunch.