Remembrance Week begins with poignant ceremonies

By Zachary Roman

All across Caledon, residents will soon be gathering to honour the memory of all Canadians who have served their country in times of war.

One remembrance ceremony has already taken place, on October 30 at the Mono Mills Cenotaph. 

This Sunday at 10:15 a.m. on the dot, a Remembrance Day service will be held at the Alton Legion Hall, which is located at 1267 Queen Street. Following the service, a potluck lunch will be held inside the hall.

Larry Weltz, President of the Alton Legion, the only remaining Legion branch in Caledon, and Zone E3 Deputy Commander, explained this year's service will be a bit shorter than usual.

“Usually we have a parade, we form up at the back of the branch in the parking lot and we parade down and do a circle and come back up in front of the Cenotaph. But, unfortunately, we won't be doing it this year,” said Weltz. “We'll be forming up at the Cenotaph and we have a piper and we'll do our ceremony. He's going to do The Lament and when the service is done, before we march off the colours, he's going to play Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. We're going to march out the colours and march out the Honour Guard and that will be the end of the ceremony.”

Weltz said there's always a great turnout for the Alton Legion's service and that the parking lot there fills up.

Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson will be attending the Alton ceremony, but Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones and Dufferin-Caledon MP Kyle Seeback will be unable to attend, said Weltz.

Later in the day, on November 6, another Remembrance Day service will be held in Bolton.

It will begin at 12:45 p.m. at the Bolton Cenotaph which is located at the Laurel Hill Cemetery.

On November 11, Remembrance Day, an official Town of Caledon service will be held at the Caledon East cenotaph outside of Caledon's Town Hall. The ceremony will begin promptly at 10:50 a.m.