Community remembers at well-attended ceremonies in Alton and Bolton

November 10, 2022 · 0 Comments

By Zachary Roman

On November 6, Caledon residents gathered to remember those who made the supreme sacrifice in the name of freedom.

Remembrance services were held that day in Alton and Bolton to honour all those who served and are serving our country in uniform.

At 10:15 a.m. at the Alton Legion, crowds began to gather around the cenotaph. Four cadets were stationed around the cenotaph as vigil sentries, and soon the colour party marched in and the ceremony began.

Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson, Ward 1 Regional Councillor Ian Sinclair, and Alton Village Association treasurer Eric Wood were among the many who laid wreaths at the foot of the cenotaph during the ceremony.

A bagpiper was on hand and played The Lament and Amazing Grace for those in attendance, songs that have great meaning in Remembrance ceremonies.

When all was complete and the ceremony participants marched out, all those in attendance were invited into the Legion for a potluck lunch.

Larry Weltz, president of the Alton Legion and Zone E3 Deputy Commander, said the turnout for the ceremony was great as usual and brought the community together.

A little after noon in Bolton, part of Highway 50 was closed as a parade marched up Bolton’s North Hill to the Laurel Hill Cemetery.

A large crowd gathered there for a Remembrance ceremony at the cenotaph.

Cadets were again stationed around the cenotaph as vigil sentries, and the ceremony included the reading of John McCrae’s In Flanders Fields and a lesson on McCrae’s life.

A singer led the crowd in singing Canada’s national anthem, and later on, God Save the King.

There were many wreaths laid at the foot of the cenotaph during the ceremony by community members and groups including: Mayor Thompson; Ward 3 and 4 Councillor Nick deBoer; Ward 5 Councillor Tony Rosa; Regional Councillor-Elect for Wards 4, 5 and 6 Mario Russo; the Bolton and Palgrave Rotary Clubs; Bolton Kin; Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, Bolton Lions Club; Church Groups; cadet squadrons; and many more.

The ceremony ended with a reminder for Caledon residents to never forget the sacrifices of those who served and are serving, and to try and make our world a better place each day in their honour. The parade marched back down the hill as the ceremony concluded.

There will be an official Town of Caledon Remembrance Day service at Caledon’s Town Hall in Caledon East starting promptly at 10:50 a.m. on November 11.