Hundreds brave rain to pay respects to fallen

In Wheatley, hundreds packed the Wheatley United Church as their ceremony moved indoors for the morning. Last year’s Wheatley service was held at Two Creeks Conservation Area due to the Wheatley downtown being inaccessible due to the August 2021 explosion, but the 2022 service was expected to take place at the cenotaph until Mother Nature intervened.

Leamington’s service saw a return to tradition as well, with a march down Mill Street to Dieppe Memorial Park, where about 300 people gathered for the 11 am ceremony.

A little rain was unable to keep hundreds from attending Kingsville’s Remembrance Day ceremony held at the Legion’sCenotaph on Friday, November 11th.

Residents ranging in age from toddlers to seniors, with umbrellas in hand, proudly donned their poppies as they solemnly paid their respects to those veterans who have sacrificed and to those who continue to sacrifice for our freedoms.

The Lt. Col. F.K. Jasperson Branch 188 Royal Canadian Legion hosted the moving service which began with a parade, including the reading of the Kingsville-Gosfield South Roll of Sacrifice,

a special acknowledgment of all those who have given their lives in Canada’s peacekeeping operations, particularly those killed in Afghanistan, the heartrending laying of the wreaths ceremony, the poignant release of hopeful birds of peace, and ended with an invitation to visit the KingsvilleMilitary Museum and welcoming reception inside.

Unlike the last twoyears’ ceremonies, this year students from area schools were once again able to participate.

Teacher Scott Augustine brought his intermediate class from Kingsville Public School. The students had just finished a novel study of Refugee, a book that makes reference to WWll Germany. Grade 8 student Eva Spicer said that by attending the ceremony in person her class “would get to remember the soldiers with more people and share in how the crowd reacts.”

Following the service was a reception inside the branch, with complimentary soup and hot beverages provided to all those who came out for the ceremony. It provided an opportunity for those who attended to enjoy fellowship reminiscing about loved ones who’ve passed, as well as chance to express gratitude to those remaining for their service.

Branch 188 President Chuck Laliberte was quite pleased with the turnout.

“It went well, the parade onto the Legion grounds,” he said.

“All the pipers and drummers made for an overall beautiful experience.”

Cadet Regiment 2918 Kingsville Royal Canadian Army fall out from Cenotaph in Kingsville on November 11, 2022. More photos from Kingsville, Leamington and Wheatley are on page 9 of this week’s Sun.