The UAW Hall was packed in Wallaceburg today for the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Many of those people in attendance also headed over to the cenotaph for a ceremony directly after as well.
Mike Hindmarsh, president of the Legion Branch 18, said the recent events in Ottawa and Quebec has brought remembrance to the forefront.
“Unfortunately it took something like that to make people aware again of just how important it is to honour those that laid down their lives for the freedom that we enjoy today,” he said.
Hindmarsh said poppy distribution nation-wide is one million more than it was last year.
“Wallaceburg had the biggest poppy distribution campaign success that we’ve ever had,” he said. “It has been a very gratifying day.”
Hindmarsh said the events went smooth today.
“Today did go well,” he said. “I’d like to thank all of the Vets, the Legion members who came out and the supporters that came out. We basically had a full house. I believe there were 60 wreaths that were laid. In times like this, it is nice to see the community come together nationwide.”
Many Veterans attended the ceremony, along with the parents of the late William Cushley of Port Lambton, who died in the line of duty in Afghanistan back in 2006.
Here are some photos from the ceremony at the UAW Hall:
I think it is unfortunate there is not a service at the Cenotaph at 11:00. An indoor service could be held earlier or later, if necessary. At 4:00 pm today there was one lonely wreath there.