Young and old pay tribute to the fallen
More than 1,000 gather at Queen’s Park memorial
At Queen’s Park, more than 1,000 people marked Remembrance Day at the sprawling Veterans Memorial on the front lawn of the legislature.
It was the 10th anniversary of the 30-metre black granite monument and the Canadian legend who championed it praised the Ontarians, young and old, gathered there.
Retired lieutenant-general Richard Rohmer, Canada’s most decorated citizen, recalled that at that first ceremony a decade ago, “the crowd was small.”
“The crowd is . . . getting larger, getting more involved, the further away we get from the great battles that we had those many years ago,” said Rohmer, whose many honours include the Distinguished Flying Cross and the French Légion d’honneur.
“In 2006, this wall was unveiled . . . and my Mustang on D-Day is right behind me . . . that’s one imprint I’ve been able to make in a long career,” the 92-year-old said, motioning to the laser etching on the wall of his P-51 fighter plane over Juno Beach on June 6, 1944, one of many depictions of Canadians at war over the past century and a half.
“It’s a place where people can come forever now to celebrate Remembrance Day . . . which we cherish to this day,” said Rohmer, who still practices law and flies his own airplane.
“Family — that’s the whole thing that this is all about. We do these things for family. And you will continue so to do for as long as you live.”
Premier Kathleen Wynne pointed out that Remembrance Day towers in significance in Ontario.
“Earlier this month, in the legislature just behind me, your members of provincial parliament unanimously passed an act to make the week preceding today Remembrance Week,” said Wynne, referring to a motion spearheaded by Progressive Conservative MPP Jim Wilson (Simcoe-Grey).
“It is a way for all of us to contemplate the significance of what we ask of our soldiers, to feel the weight of their sacrifice.
“The truth is that most of us here will never understand the horrors of war, no matter how many books we read or documentaries we watch. We cannot know the true grim reality of war.
“What we can do is to listen to our veterans. We can show respect and gratitude for their service and the sacrifices that they made by talking to them, by hearing their stories. We can make sure that our young people understand and participate in Remembrance Day.”
In a statement, Conservative Leader Patrick Brown commended Wilson’s motion and MPPs for supporting it.
“It is a fitting tribute to our veterans and reflects the numerous services that take place leading up to Remembrance Day,” said Brown.
“Freedom is not free. Let us all remember, with gratitude, pride, and humility, those who paid the ultimate price for our sake. Lest we forget,” he said.