Last year, as part of its annual celebration of Remembrance Day, the Bradford Legion hosted a Remembrance dinner, a parade through the streets of Bradford followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Legion Cenotaph, and a second ceremony on Remembrance Day itself.
This year, everything changed.
With COVID-19 numbers on the rise, both the dinner and the parade were cancelled for 2020, and the Remembrance Day ceremony was scaled back.
Attendance on Nov. 11 was by invitation only, largely limited to Legion members, government representatives, veterans and serving members of the military.
There were still dozens of wreaths, honouring groups and individuals within the community, but most were set out around the cenotaph well in advance of the 10:45 a.m. ceremony. Sponsors and the public were invited to watch online, as the ceremony was live-streamed on the Legion's Facebook page - but there were no groups escorted by the Sgt.-at-Arms, no crowds, and no honour guard of cadets.
There was still a sense of occasion. Scaraoke Entertainment worked with the Legion to create a musical program, beginning with ‘The Maple Leaf Forever,’ and leading up to the national anthem, followed by the Last Post, two minutes of silence, and the Reveille.
“Let time stand still for a moment,” said Rev. Dana Dickson, the Legion's Padre, remembering those who died “not for war, but for freedom and peace.”
Only five wreaths were laid at the foot of the cenotaph, in the ceremony that followed. Silver Cross Mother Carol Collier, who lost her son Sapper Brian Collier in Afghanistan on July 10, 2010, laid the first wreath. She was accompanied by her husband Jim, and by serving Warrant Officer Matthew Cloutier, who was a friend of her son.
MP for York-Simcoe Scot Davidson laid a wreath on behalf of the federal government, while Lt.-Col. (Ret.) Ferguson Mobbs represented MPP Caroline Mulroney and the Province.
Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor Rob Keffer laid the wreath on behalf of the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.
WO (Ret.) George Neilson laid the final wreath, on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces.
After Legion president Tammy Paglia read In Flanders Fields, Poppy Chair Anne Silvey thanked a long list of sponsors, who had helped to purchase the many wreaths set out around the cenotaph:
Automatic Rain Ltd., Bradford District High School, Be Well Chiropractic, Ruth Brooks for Lt.-Col. McIver, Burger King-Bradford, Leslie Buxton, Town of BWG, Canadian Christian Assoc., Catholic Teachers Assoc., Mike Comeau on behalf of Peacekeepers, Danube Seniors Leisure Centre, Elden Retirement Residence, Peter Ferragine & Family, Green Leaf Pest Control, Doug Hambly, Susan Hunter in memory of Bert Hogg, Holland Gardens Retirement Residence, Holland Marsh Growers Assoc., Holy Trinity Catholic High School, IODE West Gwillimbury chapter, Knights of Columbus #4915, Terrance Langevin, Loraine Mantle for Lt. Milt Vipond, Jody Mott for Popa Thibodeau, Tony Garcia for Poleiro, RBC-Bradford, Scouts Canada, Robert Sherbo, Simcoe County Elementary Teachers Federation, Donna Turner for Bruce Turner, Ukrainian War Veterans Assoc., Matthew Walker for Victims of Mefloquine Poisoning, Norm Walker, and W.H. Day Elementary.
“Not forgetting the over 50 direct donors who have either dropped off or mailed in cheques to support the Poppy Fund,” Silvey said.
There was one more special presentation. MP Davidson presented a medal marking the 75th Anniversary of the end of The Second World War to veteran Les Buxton, who served in the Royal Navy during WWII, “on behalf of a grateful nation.”
Remembrance Day wrapped up with God Save the Queen, and a final prayer by Padre Dickson, to “give us wisdom, give us courage, give us hope.”
This year’s Remembrance ceremony was notable for the use of face-masks, social distancing and limits on the number who could attend, but also for a sense of community and gratitude - not only to the fallen, but to all who have served.
For those who attended, it was important to come together, for a moment in time, to remember.
To see the Bradford Legion's Facebook page, click here.