Home Town Heroes bring deeper meaning to Remembrance Day

November 18, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Marni Walsh

26 banners held Dufferin County veterans high in the hearts of citizens on November 11 as Shelburne gathered to remember “Home Town Heroes” and all those who gave the best they had for their country.

New banners with the names, ranks and photos of veterans were hung from street poles for the month of November and will be added to with more veterans each year.

“The banners really bring it home for a lot of people,” Legion 2nd Vice President Linda Orvis told the Free Press, “it makes it personal.”

Over 500 people stood in the bitter cold last Friday, in remembrance of those who fought for the life and liberty we enjoy as citizens of a democratic nation.

The Shelburne Police service safely brought the cadets and about a dozen veterans led proudly by piper Wesley Tanner, marching down William Street from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 220. This included Afghanistan Veteran Rob Stephenson on crutches, still recovering from a service wound, and 95 year old Second World War veteran Steven Shamula.

The memorial took place beside the Town Hall Cenotaph commemorating those who fought in various campaigns and served in peacekeeping across the globe.

Mayor Ken Bennington opened the ceremonies and Pastor Gord Horsley presided over the service.

Pastor Gord spoke about the heroes who have made a difference in our community, not only those who served in different theatres of war and peace keeping, but those who make a positive difference every day.

He called upon the listeners to take inspiration from the self-sacrifice of those that laid down their lives.

Carol Ann Jorgenson led the crowd in the singing of O Canada and veteran Dave Barr gave a poignant recitation of “In Flanders Fields” by Canadian poet John McCrae.

Stanley Elliotson, who has trumpeted “The Last Post” for many years, continued his tradition despite having suffered a stroke; he received gratitude from Pastor Gord and the crowd.

Joan Wallace, daughter of the late Ray Hardick who served in the Air Force in the Second World War read the names of the 26 veterans on the inaugural Home Town Heroes banners. The Banner Committee was led by Mayor Bennington, along with Councillor Dan Sample, Legion President Lesa Peat, 2nd Vice President Linda Orvis and Kyle Fegan of Impact Kreativity.

Ms. Orvis said it had been “a really interesting experience to read, laugh and cry over the stories of the veterans” on the first banners.

Mayor Bennington, who spearheaded the banner idea, said he hoped there would be another 26 veteran banners sponsored and hung next November and every year following in addition to these first 26 honoured heroes.