Hundreds gather in the rain for Remembrance Day ceremony
A big crowd gathered at the Belleville cenotaph on Wednesday. Photo by Devin Roherty, QNet News
BELLEVILLE –The rain didn’t stop Belleville residents from turning out in the hundreds to pay their respects to those who lost their lives for Canada.
The crowd watched in silence as ranks of veterans, cadets and local dignitaries, including Mayor Taso Christopher, marched from the armouries on Bridge Street East to the cenotaph on Station Street.
One of the guest speakers, Maj. Wil Brown-Ratcliffe of the Army Navy Air Force Veterans Association, spoke about the importance of Remembrance Day and remembering those who have fallen. “Forgetting is our worst betrayal,” said Brown-Ratcliffe.
Christopher and newly elected Bay of Quinte MP Neil Ellis were among those who laid wreaths at the cenotaph.
Maj. Paul Kernaghan of Canadian Forces Base Trenton said he appreciated the turnout and thought the ceremony was very well done. “The sentiments expressed were in the spirit of the cost of peace,” Kernaghan said.
“It’s always good to see a diverse, multi-generational crowd,” he added.
It’s important to see people from every walk of life, not necessarily just soldiers, taking part, Kernaghan said. “To me, that means a lot.”
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