Remembering the fallen

the Cadets with Mitchell McClain at the front pay their respects for those who died in the great wars.

Ryan C. holds his turn at Vigil in front of the memorial.

The Wreath set by the mayor in honor of the town of Woodstock.

By: Tony Bourgeois

Woodstock

The anniversary of the Canadian victory at Vimy Ridge during World War two where Canadian soldiers managed to capture the ridge using rolling barrages and superior tactics and training. The day marked one of the greatest military triumphs the Canadian history. The cadet core in Woodstock paid tribute to the fallen soldiers by holding vigil all night at the memorial in front of the court house. Each cadet took turns swapping each hour, the sound of the replacements marching could be heard every hour there stomps after every command sounding almost like a gun shot. At 5:30 the veterans looking over the cadets lowered the flag to half mast for those fallen in the taking of Vimy Ridge. In the morning all the cadets marched to the memorial where a ceremony was being held, a red poppy placed next to every name on the memorial that was from Carleton County. To remember the soldiers that fought and died for their country. A simple yet ever so important task.  

Theresa Ruel is Cadet Captain and believes days of remembrance are very important anniversaries. “I think events like this really bring home our history.” Said cadet captain Ruel “I know in a lot of places like in England when we were doing the Remembrance Day training for the Silver Star cadets some of them remarked that they have friends in England who said they don’t have parades anymore for Remembrance Day. They don’t acknowledge it anymore.” She says, “I think it’s important to remember how we got to where we are and the sacrifices that were made.”

Theresa Ruel stayed up most of the night to make sure Master warrant officer Mitchell McClain had all the kids up when it was their turn at vigil and marched them down to swap up every hour, his commands echoing through Main Street.  He says events like Vimy Day heavily influence the cadets. “I’ve seen some pretty messed up faces when they saw images of trench foot and tonight their out in the cold just for an hour where as the people that fought in trenches in Vimy Ridge and elsewhere. They sat in the trenches 365 days a year and they never got a break and usually sleep was restless similar to what I am going to experience, not on as great a level. It’s still an eye opener.” He said before he went down to check on the next group of cadets about to take their turn at vigil.

Near the end of the Vimy Day ceremonies mayor Arthur Slip placed a wreath on the memorial. He said, “It’s reassuring to know people still are willing to come out on a beautiful spring day to pay tribute to the fallen. A lot of people probably weren’t aware that there were ten Carlten County residents that were killed in that battle and I think having the names read here this morning drive that point home.”

Paul Hanson is a member of ANI Vets and is the one responsible for putting together the list of all the soldiers on the memorial who were from the Carlton County area. Hanson was up at 5:30. He was the man chosen to lower the Canadian flag to half mast and was also chosen to be the master of ceremonies. He dedicated a portion of his life to making sure the soldiers of Carlton County would be remembered.  He decided to compile the list on the anniversary of Vimy ridge a few years ago. Then he started doing research through the internet and through the libraries to narrow down but says it’s still subject to correction. He said he put a lot of work into gathering the information. Hanson believes it’s important for people to know their heritage. He says now the cadets who paid tribute at the cenotaph can “in twenty years time maybe with their children with them and tell them “I was on guard of honor on that all night when I was in Cadets in honor of Vimy Ridge and I can take you up there and show you that name and around there is another name of the people who were killed in that battle” he said, “It’s all in our history. That’s how we got to where we are.”

Some people have more reasons than others to remember the pat soldiers who fought and died. Allan Sears was in the Navy 13 years and his Father served in world war two and killed in 1944. He was shot down over the Dutch border and five of his crew were killed and two were captured. He says to him Remembrance Day is one of the most important days of the year “to remember the sacrifices of those men and women that fought to keep Canada free and keep the western world free.”

Allan Sears, his Father and every other Veteran sacrificed a lot for this country. Many made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives and remembering them is the least we can do. Whether it’s the names on Paul Hanson’s list or simply the deeds that they did we all have a reason to remember them and hold their memories in or hearts.

                                                          

Soldiers on the memorial from Carlton County

Robin A. Hawkins

Guy Tompkins

Perley H. Green

Lucius McDougall

Reuben L. Nevers

Lee W. Grandlemire

Arthur Frost

Harliegh B. Watson

Charles H. Bull