Weather perfect for Niagara Remembrance ceremony

The beautiful weather brought out thousands to the Remembrance Day ceremony in old town Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The population of old war veterans may be dwindling, but there is clearly a surge of patriotism and appreciation among all of us for the sacrifices those soldiers made.

The people lined Queen Street in the old town, up to 10 people deep in some places, as the war veterans marched in.

Alan Earp, now 90-years old fought with the Argyll’s near the end of World War Two: “I lasted until just three weeks before the end of the war. And then I got my head in the way of a bullet. I got flown back to the U.K.”

Earp, a former president of Brock University is still going strong 70 years later.

People here showed patriotism and respect and appreciation to the veterans for their courage and sacrifice.

Jim Brown, Veteran: “An awareness from people this year, especially the younger people.”

Ben MacDonald: “Since we’re older now, I guess we understand more about what the soldiers did for us.”

Later, people filled St. Mark’s Anglican Church for a Remembrance Day concert and filled the donation jar on their way in.

All of the money will be donated to the Military Families Fund of the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, specifically to help the families of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo.

Remembering the sacrifices of soldiers and their families in times of war, is one of the things Niagara-on-the-Lake does best.