Thousands of people across Windsor Essex will spend this weekend remembering the sacrifices made by men and women who fought for Canada’s freedom.
Saturday is Remembrance Day and nearly 20 events will be held in Windsor, Essex County and Chatham-Kent to honour members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty.
Several ceremonies were held at schools across the region Friday to allow students a chance to honour soldiers, veterans and their families.
The Town of LaSalle also hosted a ceremony on Friday at its new Cenotaph Park, and nearly 500 residents attended the event.
Mayor Ken Antaya was thrilled to see the large attendance.
“It’s great to see the community embrace the ceremony to pay tribute to our soldiers” said Antaya.
Father Stan Fraser tells CTV Windsor they had fewer veterans attend this year.
“Three veterans laid a wreath on behalf of their comrades who are no longer here” noted Fraser.
More than 200 high school students also marked Remembrance Day Friday by sharing lunch with area veterans during the annual Veterans Appreciation Lunch at the Serbian Centre in Windsor.
The event is also known as the largest living history classroom.
“We can talk to the veterans and understand what they’ve gone through,” said Cassidy Desmond, a Grade 10 student at Walkerville Collegiate Institute. “Because if we don‘t, we’re pretty much oblivious to what’s happened and I think it’s important for them to get acknowledged.”
Here is a list of Remembrance Day ceremonies on Saturday across Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent;
Windsor – Memorial Cenotaph in City Hall Square, 11 a.m.
Essex – March from Essex Legion Hall to Essex United Church starting at 9:45 a.m. A service at the cenotaph will be followed by a church service.
Amherstburg – Parade at 10:30 a.m. down Richmond Street to cenotaph for Remembrance Ceremony and wreath laying at 11 a.m.
Belle River – Parade at 10:30 a.m. from the Legion to the Cenotaph for ceremony at 11 a.m.
Comber -- Service begins at 10:45 a.m. at Comber Veterans Memorial Gardens
Kingsville – Parade starts at Sykes Funeral Home parking lot at 10:45 a.m. and ends at Cenotaph near the Legion for ceremony at 11 a.m.
Leamington -- Ceremony at the Leamington Cenotaph at 10:45 a.m.
Harrow – Parade at 1:30 p.m. from the legion to the new cenotaph at Harrow Veterans Memorial Park for service at 1:45 p.m.
Chatham – Parade and service at John D. Bradley Convention Centre at 9:30 a.m. Another parade from the Legion at 10:30 a.m. to the cenotaph with a service to follow.
Blenheim – Parade at legion at 10:30 a.m. to St. Mary’s Hall with service at the legion afterwards.
Bothwell – Parade at legion at 10:30 a.m. with procession to the cenotaph and a service to follow.
Dresden – Parade from the legion at 10:30 a.m. to the ceremony with service to follow
Erieau – Parade from Molly and OJ’s Restaurant at 1:45 p.m. to Veterans Memorial Garden.
Merlin – Parade from the legion at 10:30 a.m. to the Cenotaph at Kinsmen Park for a wreath service.
Ridgetown – Parade at 9:30 a.m. with a service to follow at the Legion
Thamesville – Parade at the legion beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a service to follow
Tilbury -- Service starting at 10:45 a.m. at the cenotaph.
Wallaceburg – Parade starting at W.D.S.S. at 10:30 a.m. to the cenotaph with a service to follow
Wheatley – Parade starting at 10:40 a.m. at the legion with a service at 11 a.m. at the cenotaph
