The Colour Party, members of Royal Canadian Legion Branch #296, Clifford volunteer firefighters and dignitaries followed Sergeant at Arms comrade Ron Faulkner to the Cenotaph on Nov. 5 in Clifford for the Service of Remembrance.
President comrade Ken Reuber read the names as wreaths were laid by Larry Grummett for MP John Nater and the Dominion of Canada, MPP Randy Pettapiece for the Province of Ontario, Mayor George Bridge for the County of Wellington, deputy mayor Ron Faulkner for the Town of Minto, comrade Terry Fisk for Legion Branch #296, Liz Dowler for the Ladies Auxiliary of Branch #296 and Tyler Andrews for the Clifford firefighters.
The Colour Party comrades Dave Turton, Ron Manser, Troy Gilbert, Janice Tuck-Shannon, Dianne Moore and Will Neil led the way to the service at the community centre.
Wreaths were laid for the Clifford Community Church by Carol Reiner, Clifford and District Horticultural Society by Vic Palmer, Clifford and District Lions Club by Sheila Campbell, Clifford Masonic Lodge #315 by Jeremy Gibson, Clifford Merry Makers by Barbara Harris, Miller Insurance Broker by Elizabeth Bott, St. John’s Lutheran Church by Doug Campbell and Ron Cook for Clifford Rotary Club and Knox United Church. Comrade Terry Fisk laid wreaths for the Clifford and District Historical Society, Clifford Royal Bank, W. C. Smith Wholesale and Brett Young Seeds. Comrade Dave Turton laid wreaths on behalf of Minto Chamber of Commerce and Wightman Telecom.
MPP Randy Pettapiece remarked there are 12 Remembrance Day services across his riding. He recounted overhearing protesters and thought, in Canada, it is a privilege to protest and write letters to explain your views.
“It was my dad’s generation who fought the great war and I am grateful,” said Pettapiece.
Mayor George Bridge noted that Pte. Crawford Newton was killed in action at Passchendaele on Oct. 23, 1917. Approximately 50,000 soldiers’ lives were claimed in the battle and one of them lived in Clifford. He commended the citizens of Clifford for attending the services, the Legion for providing the service, the firefighters for their commitment to serve, and to Anne South for organizing the poppy campaign.
President Ken Reuber invited everyone to join in the service in Harriston on Nov. 11 and attend the banquet later that evening. He announced that the Clifford Homecoming committee provided a donation to etch the details of First World War veteran Cpl. Thomas Locheed’s death on the cenotaph.
Rev. Doug Bott and Elizabeth Bott led the singing of O Canada, Victory in Jesus and God Save the Queen accompanied by pianist Paula Manderson-Wood and drummer Steve Wood.
After the service attendees socialized and looked over the display of photos of area veterans assembled by Larry and Mary Jean Hartwig.
