Letter to the Editor – 13 November 2013
Dear Editor,
The Remembrance Day ceremony at the Elora Cenotaph this past Monday November 11th was an exceptionally well-coordinated tribute to our fallen soldiers, and was very moving. Crowds turned out despite the cold wet weather, as remembering our war dead and honouring our veterans is so important to us.
I was therefore disappointed by the inclusion and announcement of for-profit businesses during the laying-of-the-wreaths ceremony, which struck me as advertising—pure and simple. Given the gravity of the occasion, it seemed inappropriate and disrespectful. I have no qualms with commercial enterprises donating to the Legion, and being recognized for doing such on their website, for example. But including for-profits in a public ceremony at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day seemed a gross exploitation of our fallen heroes, everything they went through, and our memories of them.
I would ask the Township and the Legion to please reflect on the appropriateness and the implications of allowing commercial enterprises advertising space on the Cenotaph, and inclusion in Remembrance Day services. Let’s not distract from the message of Remembrance implicit in these services – Lest We Forget.
Sincerely,
Ernest L. Kalwa
Elora, Ontario
Ernest L. Kalwa