The Gleaner

Bells of Peace to sound throughout Valley

le lundi 05 novembre 2018
Modifié à 14 h 28 min le 05 novembre 2018
Par Mario Pitre

mpitre@gravitemedia.com

On November 11, 100 years ago, church bells across Europe and in Canada began to ring in celebration with the announcement the First World War had been ended. In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, church bells will ring 100 times at sundown in communities throughout the Valley and across the country. ”It is a beautiful initiative” says Lorraine Arthur, the 1st Vice-President and Poppy Chairperson for the Huntingdon Branch #81 of the Royal Canadian Legion, of the pealing of the bells. The hope for the Legion is to have as many churches as possible participate in this memorable tribute. A small ceremony will also take place at the Cenotaph in Huntingdon starting at 4:15 to hear the bells as they ring out at 4:30 pm. The bells will toll to remind us all to remember the 650,000 who served, close to 66,000 who were killed, and more than 172,000 who returned wounded. There are several other initiatives taking place throughout the Valley in an attempt to both commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ending of World War I and to highlight those links that connect our communities to the first Great War. For example, students from local schools have been involved in a project to decorate the graves of WWI veterans in area graveyards. All citizens are also being called to participate in local Remembrance Day activities and Ecumenical services on November 11. In Huntingdon, for example, citizens are invited to gather at Heritage Elementary School at 11 am for the annual Ecumenical Service. Following the service, the event will move to the Cenotaph for the laying of memorial wreaths and crosses. A light lunch will then be served at the Legion. In Ormstown, an Ecumenical Service will take place at St. Paul’s United Church at 10:45 am. The Remembrance Parade will then leave the Legion Hall at 1:30 pm to process to the Cenotaph where wreaths will be laid in commemoration of the fallen. For more information on Remembrance Day activities in other communities throughout the Valley, contact your local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.