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St. Dominic School salutes local war veterans Nov. 11 by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver 7 | Friday, November 13, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Remembrance Day Wednesday was a time of reflection for St. Dominic Catholic School students and teachers. The elementary school held its annual Remembrance Day ceremony to pay tribute to those who have risked or sacrificed their lives for freedom. Several veterans and dignitaries were in attendance including Ed Charlebois, first vicepresident of the Royal Canadian Legion, Gen. Chris Vokes, Branch 486 Bronte; Hugh Patterson, Second World War signaller dispatch rider; Maj. Ken Lloyd, Hamilton Signals Association (HSA) president; John Burke, Canadian Forces veteran and Bronte Legion member; Capt. Jim Donnelly, retired Royal Canadian Air Force member; Rod Rafauli, Knights of Columbus; and Ward 1 Town Councillor Ralph Robinson. "The hostilities of the First World War ceased on Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. The following year marked the first observance of a day to remember and honour those who died, as well as to give thanks for the sacrifices of those who came back from serving their country," said Melissa Arruda, Grade 8 student and emcee. Lloyd, of Oakville, spoke about the important role a signaller has in making communication happen on the battlefield. "There are no cellphones, there are no communication towers. There is barren land with people shooting at you. The first people into combat were signallers because in the desert, whoever holds the (mountain), holds the communications," said Lloyd. "Every time you pick up a cellphone and you switch it on and talk to your friend, that is happening because of communicating -- an engineer or an IT specialist, who makes that work for you... that is what signallers do." He applauded Patterson for his efforts as a signaller in the Second World War. "This man is a hero. A signaller carries the message no matter what and no matter where. After D-Day, there were 24 dispatch riders on their motorbikes and jeeps who landed at Juno Beach," said Lloyd. "Out of those 24, only seven came out alive. We're fortunate today to have Mr. Hugh Patterson with us. He was one of those seven." Lloyd and Patterson were commended for their service and received a plaque from the students. The HSA president was recognized for his see We on p.13 Oakville's Maj. Ken Lloyd, Hamilton Signals Association president (right), received a plaque on Wednesday from St. Dominic Grade 8 students Tyhler Louis (left) and Melissa Arruda in recognition of his service as well as assistance of the school's research on Canada's war past. | photo by Nathan Howes - special to the Beaver 1090 Wilson St. W. 905-304-3044 Ancaster 2435 Appleby Line 275 Hays Blvd. 905-331-4477 905-257-0067 Burlington Oakville