November 11, 2021

NOVEMBER 11TH WINDS WHIP UP PATRIOTISM ON REMEMBRANCE DAY

Photos by Lois Cooper

GRAVENHURST — They gathered. They remembered.

As the winds of change blew forth, Remembrance Day was muted, memorable, mindful and respectful.

More than 100 members of the community huddled on the small hilltop overlooking the Royal Canadian Legion this morning at 11 a.m.

They joined a handful of veterans — along with a few dozen legionnaires and other uniformed police, fire and correctional services workers — to pay tribute and homage to those not in attendance. But men and women who remained front and centre in everyone’s minds, as the names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their life to war were read aloud.

Legion president Heather Schell read the names of those who should by now be memorized by anyone who has lived in town for any length of time or who has attended this service more than just this once.

Lest anyone forget.

Winds whipped leaves across the parking lot parade square — symbolically the last vestiges of a season and of an ever-changing of the old guard.

Three flags at half-staff stood at attention flapping stiffly in the breeze

Two Muskoka Pioneer army cadet sentries hunkered down frozen in place on either side of the cenotaph; their heads bowed looking down the overturned barrels of their rifles for 90 minutes.

Due to COVID only a couple dozen wreaths were laid on behalf of the federal government, the legion, the town and notably in memory of other war veterans who fought and later died in recent years.

The legion hall was empty save for any veterans who wanted to watch with a front row window seat out of the cold November winds.

And while the usual indoor community gathering wasn’t permitted this year — a chance to warm up and rub shoulders and say thanks to any veterans — Schell did raise a toast downstairs later in the pub where some found shelter amid the cold comfort of the life and death or war.