As a recent veteran, Lieut. Benjamin Cerratto says it’s important to remember the sacrifices made by Canadian sailors, soldiers and airmen.
The country wouldn’t be what it is today without those who gave their lives in war and continue to do so today, he said.
Serving one’s country is one of the greatest things a person can do, said Cerratto, who attended Monday’s Remembrance Day ceremony at Waverly Park.
“I think it’s very important. This is one of the main reasons I joined, to honour those from the past and keep the legacy going and the camaraderie of it all,” said Ceratto, who served aboard HMCS Charlottetown in the Mediterranean.
Seeing thousands of people encircling the cenotaph was fantastic, especially as winter weather began settling in over Thunder Bay and wind chills dropping to -17 C.
“I think it’s great. It’s not the warmest day out, but it just shows people’s dedication and how important this event really is to Thunder Bay and the Canadian public as a whole.”
Asked what message he’d like to deliver to the country’s youngest generation, the answer came without hesitation.
“What I always say is thank a veteran. It’s not an easy life. All of the people in the armed forces have sacrificed a lot, just so every day people can enjoy the simple things in life.”
Robert Cutbush, president of Port Arthur Branch No. 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion, said Nov. 11 is a day to remember what might have been had Canada’s military not intervened in the First and Second World Wars, Korea, and more recently in the Middle East.
Korea was front and centre in 2013, Cutbush said, noting it’s the 60th anniversary of the armistice that ended the fighting between North and South Korea.
“To many people the Korean War was the forgotten war. But at the Royal Canadian Legion, it is our duty to remember all veterans of all conflicts, peacetime and UN duty.”
The message is still getting across, he added, pointing to the every growing crowd at Waverly Park.
“It’s great to see. We’re hoping to seen 3,000 or 4,000 people today and that just shows Thunder Bay’s support for our veterans. That’s a great thing.”
The cold weather was almost symbolic, said Cory Pollock, the first vice-president of Branch No. 5.
“It’s part of the service. It’s what some of the veterans have suffered and the sacrifices that were made. And I don’t mind sacrificing this to be here,” Pollock said.
The 40-minute ceremony began with the colour parade, followed by the laying of the wreaths at the cenotaph, led by Silver Cross Mother Carol Klukie, whose son Josh was killed in Afghanistan in 2006.
Father Marc Conliffe read the Remembrance Day prayer, followed by a gun salute to Canada’s fallen.
Nick Kitchener was there with his wife and two small children.
Kitchener, whose grandfather fought on D-Day, said he came to salute the millions of people who died in battle.
“Their lives were lost on a massive scale and it’s not for nothing,” he said.
