THUNDER BAY - Mo Nelson, a 97-year-old veteran of the Second World War, said it was the honour to passing the torch to current Canadian Armed Forces service member, MCpl. DesJardins, while thousands of people applauded.
“I very much appreciate having the opportunity to do it,” Nelson said. “This is quite amazing how well this is all organized and run. It’s a great honour to all the veterans especially those who gave their lives for their country.”
Nelson served with the Royal Canadian Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War. Stationed out of Newfoundland, he worked as an ordnance officer, ensuring the guns on ships returning from convoy duty were in working order.
“It’s such a great honour to be here and be able to participate with all the others,” Nelson said.
The passing of the torch was part of the Remembrance Day ceremony held at Fort William Gardens on Sunday. Thousands of people attended the ceremony this year to honour veterans of conflicts long ago as well as those who continue to serve.
This year marked the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War when the armistice to cease all fighting on the Western Front in Europe was signed on Nov. 11, 1918.
“It’s an important anniversary,” said Ken Milenko, one of the organizers of the local ceremony. “One hundred years. I don’t know how to overstate it or understate it. The 100 years was at the end of the war that would end all wars. It didn’t unfortunately. For us in the Royal Canadian Legion it is the continuance of remembrance. That means everything to us.”
While Remembrance Day follows many traditions to honour soldiers who fought in the great conflicts of the 20thcentury such as the First World War, the Second World War, and the Korean War, Canadian veterans are still returning home from conflicts that continue rage around the world.
“It’s important to keep remembering because the modern day veteran is still there,” Milenko said.
One of those veterans is Mark Belanger, who retired from the Canadian Armed Forces 10 years ago and served in the former Yugoslavia during the Bosnian War.
Belanger was one of the guest speakers during the ceremony, where he shared his experiences serving with the United Nations during a conflict that saw one of the worst genocides in Europe since the Second World War, as well as what it means to be a veteran.
“A lot of our ceremonies are based on memories of the Great War,” he said. “We look at the statues, we read the poems, and we see the poppy and they are all really reminiscent of the Great War. What’s important to recognize is Canada’s contribution internationally continues and service men and women are going into harms way in various theatres around the world.”
“It’s important to understand that we have an absolute responsibility to remember all of the veterans of past conflicts but it’s also important to know there is a changing of the guard,” Belanger continued. “There are new veterans returning to Canada from overseas and it’s important to remember their contributions and what they have done.”
And the torch continues to be passed, from one generation of veterans to the next, who sacrifice so much for their country.
“I had two cousins who gave their lives for their country,” Nelson said. “I had two brothers and we all made it through okay. It’s important to remember those who gave their lives.”
