CORNWALL, Ontario – On a snowy and cold November 11, 2019, residents of Cornwall took part in their annual tradition of remembrance.
For Remembrance Day 2019 police, the RCMP veterans, cadets, and active duty members of the military marched from the Cornwall Legion on Second and Cumberland streets down to the Cornwall Cenotaph on the corner of Bedford St.
Wreaths of remembrance were laid by veterans, Cornwall Mayor Bernadette Clement, MPP Jim McDonell and MP Eric Duncan.
Father Kevin Maloney made remarks and said a prayer.
Hugh Primeau, President of the Cornwall Legion gave a few comments about the importance of Remembrance Day.
“I just wanted to say thank you, especially to our veterans, because of their sacrifices, we are able to gather here and commemorate our Remembrance Day,” he said. “Without their sacrifices, we would not probably be here. To the citizens of Cornwall, thank you for helping with our poppy campaign and we thank you for coming out today. For those who skipped work, this is the place to be today. There is nothing more we can do, other than say thank you.”
Sara Lauzon, Cornwall’s Litter Historian, who co-hosted YourTV’s broadcast of the Remembrance Day ceremony, offered her thoughts on the historical significance of the sacrifice made by Canada’s veterans.
“To me, Remembrance Day is about reflecting on those who put their lives on the line, and continue to fight for our freedom. It is a day commemorating great loss. Thousands of men and women paid the ultimate sacrifice, they gave up their tomorrows, so we could have today,” she said. “For Cornwall specifically, before the Second World War, Cornwall had a population of 14,000. Over 4,000 men and women contributed to the war effort. This is one of the highest rates per capita, in Canada.”
