www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, November 16, 2011 · 8 Oakville remembered those lost to war By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF A cold, bitter wind -- and even a brief hail storm -- failed to keep Oakville residents from honouring Canada's war dead Friday. Several hundred people attended a Remembrance Day ceremony at the George's Square Cenotaph. Young and old, veterans of Afghanistan and veterans from the Second World War, stood side by side during the ceremony, unified by the red poppies they wore and their desire to remember and give thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Oakville resident Roger Witt said one of the reasons he attended the ceremony Friday was to honour an uncle, a Second World War bomber pilot shot down during a raid over occupied Europe shortly before D-Day. "I never knew him, but when I was growing up, my dad would tell me about him," said Witt. "We spent p some time back in England looking up his squadron records to find out more about him. Just wanted to connect with the past." Another man attending, Stan Tingle, said he joined the British Navy in 1943 at the age of 17 and served during the Second World War. On Remembrance Day, he thinks not only about those who perished in the war he was involved in, but those killed during the First World War as well. "The horrors of the First World War were unbelievable," said Tingle. "To think, that on a day like today, for instance, these guys would be sitting in wet trenches, maybe up to their knees in cold water, and then somebody says, `Okay go over the top.' It's crazy what they went through." Regretfully the spectre of war is not something that has been content to remain in the past. Corporal Alex Morland of the Royal Canadian Regiment missed last year's Oakville Remembrance Day ceremony because he was serving in Kandahar, Afghanistan g at the time. This year, y , he Dufferin and Halton Regiment, took up positions at the four corners of the Cenotaph, heads bowed, rifles pointed downward in remembrance. The faint sound of drums and bagpipes could be heard, growing louder and louder until a parade of veterans -- followed by columns of present-day soldiers, Halton Regional Police, Oakville firefighters, RCMP officers, Knights of Columbus, scouts, cadets and other local dignitaries -- made their way to the square. As the ceremony commenced, those who could stand, did so for the singing of O Canada a and a moment of silence during which a bugler played The Last Post. The St. Andrew's Children's Choir sang In Flanders Fields and a wreathlaying ceremony took place shortly afterwards. Oakville Silver Cross Mother Edna Parker laid a wreath for all Canadian mothers who have lost children to war. Edna Parker is the mother of the late Colonel Geoff Parker, 42, of See Residents page 9 MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER SILVER CROSS MOTHER: Oakville resident and Silver Cross Mother Edna Parker, mother of the late Colonel Geoff Parker, places a wreath at the annual Royal Canadian Legion, Oakville Branch 114 annual Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph in George's Square. said, he has much to remember. "This day means a lot to me because I've lost friends and both my grandfathers served in the Second World War," said Morland. "It means a lot." As the 11th hour approached, four soldiers from the Lorne Scots Peel, Visit www.oakville.ca Driveway Snow Windrow Removal Remov Program A program p for seniors a and individuals with physical disabilities Registration deadline November 25, 2011. Register today for the town's ' Driveway Snow Windrow Removal program. Have your windrow cleared all season for just $80 ($90.40 with HST). The program is available to seniors and individuals with physical disabilities. What's ' a windrow? A "windrow" is the pile of heavy v snow at the end of your driveway made by the snowplow when it clears the street. Shoveling a windrow can be a task beyond the physical resources of some seniors and individuals with physical disabilities. For more information call 905-338-7669, visit ww www.oakville.ca or scan Public input needed into new Harbours By-law Wednesday, November 30, 2011, 79 p.m. Committee Room 2, Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road Members of the public are encouraged to provide input into the new Harbours By-law 2011-050 to establish rules and regulations for both Bronte and Oakville harbours. The Harbours By-law will include a comprehensive set of rules and regulations for all boaters who enjoy town-operated harbours. Public input and feedback ensures that these rules and regulations are clear and understood by our clients. For more specific information about the by-law visit www.oakvilleharbours.ca Understanding Oakville's Changing Demographics C.O.R.E. workshop Thursday, November 24, 2011 9:30 a.m. to noon Committee Room 1, Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road Find out how Oakville's population is evolving and learn how these shifts could impact your organization's programming, funding, promotions and accessibility. Gain a greater understanding of the purpose of statistics, receive guidance on how to effectively use data, and discuss practical ways that statistics and data can be used within an organization's planning. Facilitated by Ted Hildebrandt, director of Social Planning at Community Development Halton, this practical session will provide participants with relevant information that is applicable to their business' day-to-day operations, strategic planning, grant application processes and more. Hildebrandt currently generates social profiles for Halton Region and oversees the data analysis for community organizations addressing issues such as diversity, poverty and affordable housing. The cost is $35 per person for C.O.R.E. or Community Development Halton members, or $50 per person for non-members. Registration is required. For more information on this workshop or to register please contact Louise Veres at 905-845-6601, ext. 3154 or lveres@oakville.ca. C.O.R.E. is a membership-based program that offers Oakville community groups support in delivering their services to the community. For more information about C.O.R.E. including how to become a C.O.R.E member visit www.oakville.ca/core.htm FREE RBC P.A. Day Skates November 18, 2011 and February 3, 2012 Glen Abbey Community Centre 10 - 11:15 a.m. Kinoak Arena 11 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Maple Grove Arena 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. Oakville Arena River Oaks Community Centre Sixteen Mile Sports Complex 1 - 2:45 p.m. 3 - 4:45 p.m. 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. Visit www.oakville.ca/arenas.htm for location information.