"Veterans parades honours veterans from War of 1812 to 2012"

An overcast morning made way for a comfortable Sunday afternoon at Veteran's Park where over 300 gathered for Six Nations Veteran's Association's (SNVA) annual memorial service.

Canadian armed forces and the SNVA paraded to bagpipes from the community hall to Veteran's Park where ceremonies were held.

As the parade came to an end, family members of fallen veterans were called to lay wreaths in their honour.

The Haudenosaunee, Canadian, American, and British flags flew overhead as Veteran and Councillor Bob Johnson began the ceremonies. He read the crowd the words of Chief Seattle from 1854. "Let him be just for the dead are not powerless. Dead, did I say? There is no death, only a change of worlds."

Elected Chief Bill Montour offered words for Six Nations veterans. He said it is our duty to not to forget.

"I think we have a duty, each and every one of us, to ensure our children and grandchildren never forget the sacrifices their people made... they've gone on before us and laid down their lives so that we might enjoy freedom today," he said.

Montour said that Canada has started to remember the contributions of Six Nations people. "I had the occasion last Saturday to attend Queenston Heights. I was never so uplifted by the number of people who remarked on the contributions Six Nations had made to this great country of Canada. It made me believe the people of this land are looking to understand," he said.

He thanked the Six Nations Legacy Consortium (SNLC) for work on monuments for fallen warriors from 1812. They have ensured "the monument to the warriors who fell in 1812 is rebuilt, and a proper monument is at Queenston Heights. It didn't happen without a constant shepherding of that through," he said.

Though neither politician was present, both MPP Dave Levac and MP Phil McColeman sent words of gratitude to Six Nations veterans through representatives.

SNLC Director Keith Jamieson said the contribution of Six Nations warriors will be remembered. "People want to hear what we have to say. I for one, as do members of the legacy consortium. will take every opportunity to ensure that that message continues on." He said a "clearer and better peace" with Canadian neighbors is on the horizon.

The ceremonies came to an end with a moment of silence and another wreath laying by 17 different organizations including Six Nations Elected Council, and Federal and Provincial governments.