Remembrance Day ceremony in Dunham
The town of Dunham does not have a war memorial, but every year a Remembrance Day service is held at the Cairn (stone monument) on the rue Principale. The service is organized by the Missisquoi County Women’s Institute which consists of the Dunham and Fordyce branches. The Cairn was built to commemorate the founding of the Women’s Institutes of Quebec. The first meeting of a Women’s Institute was at Best Hall in Dunham on January 27, 1911, and was initiated by Elizabeth Ann Beach.
The weather this year was exceptional. A few members were able to show off their tartan vests. Usually snow has to be cleared from the Cairn area prior to the service, but not this year! Patrick Cournoyer, the fire department manager, had placed cones near the Cairn to block off anyone parking in front of it. Mayor Pierre Janecek of the Ville de Dunham was in attendance and was Melanie Thibault, the new Director of the town. She filmed the service. A few Dunham residents joined in with the Missisquoi County Women’s Institute members.
Judy Page Jones, the President of the Dunham branch, welcomed everyone. Ben Martin played the Last Post and Reveille. Joyce Martin read the honour roll of Dunham, which included all the service people who died in the wars. Anne Liposki read a Remembrance Day poem. Wreaths were laid, by Pierre Janecek, for the town, Norma Sherrer, for Fordyce branch, Judy Page Jones, for the Dunham branch, and Elizabeth Milroy, for the Quebec Women’s Institutes and for the County. Elizabeth Milroy, the County and Provincial President, closed the ceremony with a prayer.
Because of Covid-19 restrictions there was no reception afterwards, but the ceremony will go down in memory as having been warm and respectful.