Hundreds attended the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the Paris War Memorial and Cenotaph on Monday, November 11, 2024.
The morning service began at 10:45 a.m. with the Paris-Port Dover Pipe Band leading the Colour Party in the walking march from Broadway Street to the Cenotaph. Police officers, first-responders, local dignitaries and cadets, as well as the Paris District Girl Guides and the Paris District Scouts, all participated in the march.
Following Dale Kitchen’s Land Acknowledgement, Rev. Canon Mario Hryniewicz opened the ceremony with the dedication.
“On this Remembrance Day, we come O Lord, in gratitude for all who have died that we might live, for all who endured pain that we might know joy, for all those who suffered imprisonment that we might know freedom,” said Rev. Hryniewicz. “Turn our deep feeling now into determination, and our determination into deeds, that as people died for peace, we may live in peace for the sake of the Prince of Peace.”
Jennifer Budd then led the crowd in the singing of “O Canada” before Geoff Adeney played “Last Post” to signify the start of the two minutes of silence.
Afterwards, Ethan Leduc, the ceremonial piper, performed the “Lament” before Adeney finished with the “Rouse.”
Kitchen, emcee for the ceremony, then spoke the Act of Remembrance before Rev. Hryniewicz shared a message of remembrance for those who fought for peace in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and the war in Afghanistan.
“We remember with gratitude those who gave their lives for the cause of freedom,” said Rev. Hryniewicz. “Grant, O Lord, unto all of us for whom they died that their devotion may bring fruit in us in more abundant love for others.”
Following his prayer, students of Holy Family School then recited John McCrae’s poem, “In Flanders Field,” and before the laying of the wreaths, Bud sang Isaac Watts’ “O God Our Help in Ages Past.”
Wreaths were then laid in honour of those who fought in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Battle of Hong Kong. As members of the Ayr Paris Brass Band played in the background, local dignitaries, as well as representatives of the police, fire and paramedic services, Legion members, Girl Guides, Scouts and Schools all laid wreaths during the ceremony.
Rev. Hryniewicz then bestowed a blessing upon both the living and those who have passed before Bud closed out the ceremony with “God Save the King.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
