Oakville Newspapers

Oakville Beaver, 16 Nov 2011, p. 12

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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, November 16, 2011 · 12 Residents paid tribute at Trafalgar Memorial By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF More than 100 people joined Oakville's uniformed emergency responders and Canadian Armed Forces personnel for a Remembrance Day service at the Trafalgar Memorial Friday morning. The event has been held annually since the memorial was built in 2005 to commemorate nearly 700 men and women from Trafalgar Township who fought in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. It was organized by local councillors Jeff Knoll and Marc Grant and community members. Those attending, braced against the chilling wind and observed silence before hearing The Last Post and d Reveille. They sang God Save the Queen and d O Canada and Pastor Chris McLean led prayers. Wreaths were also laid. Grant read In Flanders Fields while Knoll read the Act of Remembrance and his 11-year-old son, David Knoll, recited the poem Why Wear a Poppy?, written by Don Crawford. "We are saddened, our God, to remember the lives that were lost and the cost that was paid by so many," said McLean during the prayer. Lieutenant Glenn Woolfrey, of the Royal Canadian Navy, said Canadians fought in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War as protectors of peace. "Many Canadians have died for their beliefs and many others have dedicated their lives to these pursuits. This willingness to stand up and protect human rights, freedom and justice remains one of Canada's defining characteristics in the eyes of the world," said Woolfrey. Many sacrifices were made by Canadians who defended their beliefs. "Fathers, sons, daughters, sweethearts lost their lives, their loved ones... those who were killed in action or wounded. And thousands who returned, were forced to live the rest of their lives with the mental and physical scars of war." Canadian soldiers fought in war because they felt their freedom was threatened, Woolfrey said, and that freedom cannot be taken for granted. "By remembering their service and their sacrifice, we recognize the tradition of freedom these men and women fought to preserve," he said. "It is up to us to ensure their dream of peace is truly realized. On Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who served the country, and the responsibility to work for the peace they fought hard to achieve," said Woolfrey.

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