‘Lest LaSalle Forgets

By Caleb Workman

November 11 is a day to remember and many in LaSalle took their time to make it out to the new Cenotaph to pay their respects.

The commemoration of all who have sacrificed took place at Cenotaph Park, the new park outside of LaSalle Town Hall. The ceremony started at 11 a.m. and veterans, old and new, stood alongside the civilians of LaSalle to look back and remember the service of those who fought for the country.

Retired Master Corporal of the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment and current town council elect, Mike Akpata, was there to remember his service and the service of those he fought alongside.

“During the moment of silence, I usually think specifically about the 22 Canadians that were killed on my tour in Afghanistan. The ones whose ramp-ceremonies I attended,” said Akpata. “My mind starts to expand to the 158 killed in total, but then I look at what I call the senior veterans whose friendships I’ve made… So it starts off intimate and small and it begins to grow as I look at the losses of members of the military community who have served.”

Akpata said he was very happy with the number of people who made it to the cenotaph.

“It says that people care. It says that people, despite the busy-ness of life, will stop by,” said Akpata. “It says people will remember. It says that people understand the sacrifice that has taken us to this point where we can gather in a beautiful place free and unafraid.”

Among the people gathered at the cenotaph was silver cross mother Theresa Charbonneau, mother of Cpl. Andrew Grenon who died during his last tour in Afghanistan in 2008.

“Every year, as I prepare for Remembrance Day, my feelings do get stronger and get more resolve,” said Charbonneau. “I feel more fortitude and I realize that when I speak, because of what I’ve been through, I’m hoping that I teach and I give others a reason to remember and a means for them to thank present servicemen and veterans that the see.”

Charbonneau said she hopes to see everyone remember, not just today, but throughout the year as she does.

“If you saw my house, you would see remembrances everywhere, front and back,” said Charbonneau. “Every time I see somebody who I recognize is a veteran, who I know is a serviceman, I always give them a hug and a kiss and I thank them.”

Charbonneau said she feels it shouldn’t take a specific day for people to take the time to remember those who have laid down their life.

“Every citizen should react when they see a uniform. That should be all it takes,” said Charbonneau.

Lasalle’s mayor, Ken Antaya, said he remembered his uncle, who had served during the First World War, during the moment of silence.

“You never heard a word of complaint from the guy and that’s what you find from most of the veterans,” said Antaya. “Even though a portion of their lives was taken away by being injured, by service, or by seeing a friend die next to them they never complained.”

Antaya said he was very happy with the day’s event and was proud of all the people who came out.

“It was moving. Well done, well organized by the Legion. We were proud to be part of it and I think that it was a great day to launch our cenotaph and I think everybody is embracing it,” said Antaya.

The new cenotaph, placed at the northern edge of the park, honours World War One, the Second World War, the Korean War, the United Nations Peace Keeping Missions and the newly added Afghanistan War.

“It’s beautiful just to see Afghanistan at the bottom,” said Akpata. “To have Afghan on it, in the year 2014, without problem, without political crash or fighting, is a testament to those gentlemen for what they fought for to get Korea included on their cenotaphs.”

“It’s been a phenomenal day, as it always is,” said Charbonneau. “It’s not over yet though, and we will remember.”