November 13, 2023

GRAVENHURST LEGION ‘PULLS OFF’ FITTING REMEMBRANCE DAY WHILE UNDER ‘SUSPENSION’

Photos Lois Cooper | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — Wars are hell — remembering them can be hellish.

COVID is over, crowds swelled, the band was back while veterans were in short supply, but a Legion Remembrance Day salute to fallen comrades Saturday went off solemnly and almost seamlessly.

At the 11^th hour, 11^th day, 11^th month time had stopped — for two minutes — to honour the dead who have made Canada a beacon of freedom.

By noon they had remembered them.

And by the going down of the sun it was all over.

**Remembrance Day services were colourful, sombre and tight in a trying year as members rallied to pull it off in quick order.**

Another fitting ceremony not unlike most others worldwide.

And one that has been a staple of particularly small towns like Gravenhurst for some seven decades.

Like legions of legions (along with businesses and many organizations) staffing is at a premium.

“Pulling off” a well-rehearsed public occasion under scrutiny of families and friends was always a labour of love not lost on most previous generations of legionnaires.

Which a small group of volunteers attempted and succeeded at under these unusually trying circumstances.

**The salute to thousands of Canadian war dead was as moving as ever with pomp and circumstance befitting those being honoured.**

Three days before, the legion’s Provincial President, Ontario, Command Derek Moore wrote members to say he had “hereby suspended the powers of Harry Wray Branch #302 effective immediately” — and appointed three outside trustees — “due to the resignation of most of the executive of the Branch.”

He said Bob Ladouceur, Wayne Hooey and Fred Cosgrove will “preserve all property and administer the affairs” by overseeing ongoing branch operations, including approving all financial spending by the remaining executive members who will be “under direct supervision.”

Failure to comply with the trustees “could form the grounds for their dismissal with cause.”

The course of action is for 90 days until Feb. 6, 2024.

The Ontario Command office was closed Monday as a Remembrance Day holiday and Moore couldn’t be reached for further comment.

His formal rebuke resulted after five board members, including president Pam Davidson, quit in September and other branch members were unable to replace them.

The poppy chair also resigned in the lead-up to their most important and recognized day in of their calendar.

**Gravenhurst Mayor Heidi Lorenz lays a wreath on behalf of the citizens — on top of many others which this year were put out in advance of the ceremony.**

Already struggling financially after failing to retain and regain members over the past decade, the branch was dealt this serious blow.

But as in war not always a fatal one.

Remaining executive and branch members rallied Saturday in quick succession to deliver an otherwise laudable service under fire and duress with past president Heather Schell leading the charge.

All unbeknownst to fellow Canadians who stood on a cool morn and oversaw standing on the Bethune Drive hillside. The poppies pinned over their hearts meaning a little more this year.

The streamlined service didn’t include police and a march up to the cenotaph at the Opera House. A wreath however was laid there earlier in the morning by their colour guard and at the legion graveside plot at Mickle Cemetery.

At the branch, a march from back to front began formalities, which included reading of the honour roll, Last Post, laying of a limited number of official wreaths on behalf of the legion, governments, some NGOs and many poppy-laden commemoratives recognizing a legion member or their family.

A luncheon reception followed inside the branch — followed by the meat draw downstairs.

Branch #302 is holding an executive board meeting tomorrow night, Nov. 13.