Dear Editor:
Since March of this year there have been six wreaths vandalized at the Elora cenotaph.
Ribbons on the wreaths provided by the governments of Canada, Ontario, County of Wellington, and Township of Centre Wellington have been removed and are missing. Snow at the cenotaph this month indicated a large set of boot prints – not children!
If this disrespectful behaviour is some form of anti-government protest, it is misplaced. The responsible party should realize that these wreaths and ribbons are to honour those who gave the supreme sacrifice and thus are the names etched on the cenotaph.
They were Canadians, from the Province of Ontario, County of Wellington and the previous Township of Pilkington and Village of Elora, now recognized as Centre Wellington.
To replace a ribbon is at the cost of the Legion Poppy Fund, whose account we just supplemented due to the incredible generosity of our supporters.
As noted in my letter previously announcing the campaign efforts and results, I included the many projects and organizations that we donate these funds to, which includes several that have or are serving their country, just as those who came before them.
We are now very wary of our normal display practice at the cenotaph. There are a lot of volunteer hours and effort that lead up to Remembrance Day, and it is disheartening to be plagued by someone’s misguided actions.
Please treat the cenotaph and the honouring wreaths with the respect deserved.
Lest we forget! Lest we forget!
Jim Paterson,
Poppy chair, Royal Canadian Legion, Elora Br.229