Saturday’s Veterans’ Day ceremony honours those who fought for peace

Canadian flags and poppies placed on graves during the first Veteran’s Day service at Glenwood Cemetery, Picton. Peggy deWitt photo

Glenwood Cemetery will be “honouring those who fought for peace” during Saturday’s public Veterans’ Day ceremony.

The cemetery, in partnership with Branch 78 The Royal Canadian Legion, 415 Wing Royal Canadian Air Force Association and 851 Prince Edward Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron welcome the public at 10:45 a.m. SAturday, Sept. 20 for the fourth annual ceremony.

Guests are to be greeted at the front entrance by Air Cadets and directed to the assembly at the foot of Veterans’ section for a 45 minute ceremony.

Historic Glenwood Cemetery, a 62 acre property in the heart of Picton, is the final resting place for more than 250 veterans who served in Canada’s military engagements. Among those veterans are six British airmen who died while training at the former RAF base known as No. 31 Bombing and Gunnery School. This former training base overlooking Picton was part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, graduating hundreds of aircrew from many countries during the Second World War.

Veterans’ Day Ceremony is held during Legion Week to honour all of our veterans and demonstrate our gratitude to those who made the supreme sacrifice. This year, special recognition will be given to the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War . For those who wish to decorate the individual graves of veterans, Canadian flags and poppies will be provided.

The 45 minute ceremony will include parade, colour parties, pipe band and soloist Lorain Sine. Sandra Latchford, Chair of Glenwood Cemetery Board, will introduce Reverend William Kidnew, Padre of Branch 78 Royal Canadian Legion who will conduct the ceremony. Dignitaries in attendance will be Daryl Kramp, MP Prince Edward Hastings, Todd Smith, MPP Prince Edward Hastings sends his regrets and Peter Mertens, Mayor of Prince Edward County. A representative of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is also expected to attend. Lt. Col.  Andrew Wedgewood, a senior military officer from 8 Wing Trenton, will salute the veterans with a military tribute.

After the ceremony, refreshments will be served in Glenwood’s Stone Chapel.

2014 event organizers, front left to right: George Court, Past President 415 Wing Royal Canadian Air Force Association (RCAFA); Sandra Latchford, Chair Glenwood Cemetery Board; Doug Yates, 415 Wing RCAFA; Gil Charlebois, Member of Branch 78 Royal Canadian Legion (RCL); Robert Bird, President 415 Wing RCAFA; Pat Burrows, President Branch 78 RCL and Mike Slatter, 1st Vice & Parade Marshal Branch 78 RCL. Absent Rev. William Kidnew, Padre Branch 78 RCL.