Afghanistan, Vietnam war dead, past and present veterans honoured in Gravenhurst

Veterans marched uptown to lay a pair of wreaths beforehand at the Opera House war memorial.

Photos by Lois Cooper | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST – Veterans from the Afghanistan and Vietnam wars were new additions to cenotaph at the Gravenhurst legion today for Remembrance Day.

Despite a little snow on the ground, the temperature outdoors was just pleasant enough for a couple hundred to honour war dead and military service past and present.

Following the traditional colour guard and veterans march uptown to the Opera House memorial, where two wreaths were laid before the 11 a.m. service, the large crowd from the community, legion members, volunteers and the Gravenhurst Bifocals Band took part in an almost hour-long service.

In addition to a reading of the honour roll of the war dead from the First and Second World Wars, new Branch #302 president Jim Davidson helped lead prayers and hymns and a laying of wreaths.

MP Tony Clement, who had been invited and accepted, was a no-show.

Army cadets stand sentry duty around the cenotaph today, Nov. 11, in Gravenhurst at the legion.

 

Comrade Jim Morrow, right, goes to retrieve another of the dozens of wreaths to be presented.
A wreath on behalf of the Government of Canada was the first to be presented.
Sharon Dobson, of the Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary, lays a wreath on their behalf.
Numerous groups, including Muskoka paramedics and Beaver Creek security personnel laid wreaths on Friday morning.

 

A Gravenhurst firefighter lays a wreath on behalf of the volunteer brigade.
Dozens of wreaths were laid on behalf of various organizations and individuals.