After one veteran said he was “insulted” and “ashamed” the local Remembrance Day parade was held a week before Nov. 11, legion members and supporters have been trying to explain the reasons why.
“Why is it not on next Sunday as it actually is the 11th of November? As a veteran I am insulted and ashamed that the Legion Branch 521 would let this happen and our mayor who has let this happen,” wrote Paul Vallis on Facebook.
“What about everyone involved in organizing the insult, how could they let this happen? Bradford has many Veterans and has lost members of our community. What is next? Christmas moved to a weekend also just because it would be convenient?”
Several other residents replied, saying they did not know the parade was on Nov. 4 either.
“As a veteran he has a right to be upset and has more say than any of us,” wrote Tony Darlene on Facebook. “My father was a veteran as well (and) likely would have wondered the same thing.”
The Royal Canadian Legion in Bradford West Gwillimbury has held the annual parade on the Sunday before Remembrance Day for several years, with a smaller ceremony at the cenotaph on Nov. 11.
“This happens every year and people complain that nobody goes,” wrote Lauren White on Facebook.
Laura Hollingshead, the legion’s secretary, wrote a post on The Original Welcome to Bradford, Ontario Facebook page explaining why the legion holds its parade early.
“First, our Legion is rather small compared to some of the Branches around us and we do not have our own Band/Bagpipers. We also have a small beavers/scouts group and a new Cadets group,” she wrote.
This means the legion asks other local branches to help provide a “full parade,” but they also have their own ceremonies on Nov. 11, so they volunteer their time the weekend before, she wrote.
Hollingshead noted the Bradford legion holds a wreath-laying ceremony Nov. 11, which is usually a smaller event because “the Bradford Legion does have smaller numbers than our fellow branches in the surrounding areas.”
“We do our best to make sure we provide both parades to our community and to show the utmost support to our veterans,” she wrote. “If you missed it this year, you can still make it out for Nov. 11 and mark your calendars for next year.”
Despite an explanation, Vallis said legion membership numbers should not be the reason for holding the parade before Remembrance Day.
“This is not about the legion numbers nor should it ever be,” he wrote. “It doesn’t matter how many people from the legion show up. If you have enough people for next Sunday’s ceremony, then you have enough for a parade.”
But it does not matter which day you commemorate veterans, argued several other residents.
“I remember every day 24/7 — 365 (days a year),” wrote Ken Puddicombe.
“I can't believe this is even a debate. Can you really honour only on the day of? That's limiting in my opinion,” wrote Shaun Baldaia. “It's not like they're not going to be honoured/observed next Sunday. This extends recognition longer for those who served.”
Remembrance Day events in BWG:
Remembrance Dinner
Nov. 10, 6 p.m.
Royal Canadian Legion hall, 115 Back St., Bradford
Tickets are $22 per person. Veterans should contact 905-775-5025 for a free ticket.
Remembrance Day service
Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m.
Cenotaph at the Bradford legion, 115 Back St.
Bells of Peace
Nov. 11, sundown
Bells across the country will toll 100 times to mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day and the end of the First World War. Trinity Anglican Church in BWG will be participating.
