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Remembrance Day ceremony a sad honour for Silver Cross mother

Caroline McMinn has mixed emotions when Remembrance Day rolls around.
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Roy Lamore (left) helps Silver Cross Mother Caroline McMinn lay the first wreath Thursday during the annual Wavery Park cenotaph Remembrance Day ceremonies. An estimated 2,000 people were in attendance. (Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com)
Caroline McMinn has mixed emotions when Remembrance Day rolls around.

A war widow, whose husband Alvin Boyer was killed in Italy in the Second World War, she called her role as this year’s Silver Cross mother at the Waverly Park cenotaph ceremony a sad honour. On one hand, she relishes it, but on the other, she wishes she didn't qualify.

"It’s an honour to represent the mothers and the wives that have gone before me and to stand in their stead and remember the brave who have gone before," McMinn said, before climbing the stairs of St. Paul’s Church for the annual memorial service.

"As a widow of the Second World War, it’s a commotion inside right now."

McMinn laid the first wreath on Thursday morning, alongside Roy Lamore, the past president of Branch 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion.

About 2,000 people were on hand for the annual ceremony, there to pay tribute to the tens of thousands who gave their lives fighting for their country in the First and Second World Wars, Korea and Afghanistan.

Among the rapidly dwindling corps of Second World War veterans was Rupert Boyes, who joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 and served in England in 1943 where he spent the duration of the battle.

Boyes said it’s important for Canadians to recognize the soldiers, sailors and airmen of the past because in his mind, the country owes its freedom to the sacrifices they made.

"I was in my early 20s when I joined and I thought our country was in serious danger of being taken over. I think most people don’t realize just how close we were to being taken over. Adolph Hitler had every plan of ruling the world, and he came so close to doing it that it just makes me shudder to think how close we could be to being under a dictatorship."

HMCS Griffon
Padre Ed Swayze gave the opening address, saying Canadians should look to their military past and present as a model for setting the country’s values.

Swayze was reminded that those who fought and died were similar in age to his two children, aged 18 and 20.

"I’m not sure how much young people know about fighting for their country. I think a lot of times we’re out for adventure, we’re out for a job, we’re out to be with our friends. But you know, nonetheless, they take Canadian values with them," Swayze said.

"Our Canadian soldiers, sailors and air crew have always taken Canadian values with them. It has influenced how they have fought and died."

Those values have been instilled in the youth of today, said Brandon Dumais, a flight corporal in the 84 Astra Air Cadet Squadron.

Though his lifetime has seen relative peace in the world, Afghanistan notwithstanding, the 14-year-old said connecting with those who served in the past is a duty for all Canadians.

"Remembrance Day is important for people of our generation because we are giving respect for the people who fought for us, helped save us and gave us the freedom we have today," Brandon said. "It’s also good if you help others. Some people today they need the help and some people can’t defend themselves."




Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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