Windsor remembers

By Lt-Col. David Lafreniere (ret’d)

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the cannon roared and silence fell at the Windsor cenotaph marking a moment of remembrance.

The Remembrance Day memorial service at City Hall Square brought together elementary school children, military units, veterans and the community to share in an act of remembrance. Many at the service walked up to veterans and offered their personal thanks and gratitude.

Among the Second World War veterans at the service was 91-year-old Royal Canadian Navy and Merchant Marine veteran Robert Elford. “We did what we did to save the country,” said Elford.

“It was 1943. We had just left Halifax and no sooner got into the Atlantic with our escorts when the subs took off after us.”
He said he had never seen so much high water from depth charges.

“They say they got the sub but I didn’t know. But they sure created a lot of panic,” said Elford.

A veteran of the Korean War, Ray Silvius, 83, remembers driving ammunition to the front lines of a battle and crashing his truck when an artillery shell landed about three feet from him. He said he has a pretty sore back that does not get better with age.

“I lost some friends over there and I lost some friends since we’ve been back,” said Silvius. “When you’ve been there and you know what others go through you have to remember. We have to remember them for what they did for this country.”

Children laid poppies in an act of remembrance with the Bellewood Public School choir singing in the background.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said that the community comes together every November to remember and honour the men and women of the Canadian military.

“We stand side by side today and we reflect on those who have chosen lives of service, who have given us the incredible gift of freedom,” said Dilkens. “Without their sacrifices without their pain the world as we know it would be a much different place. We owe them now and always a debt of gratitude.”

After the ceremony Dilkens reflected on why he remembers.

“I have family members who were in the military, family members who made a sacrifice,” said Dilkens.

Things happen during wars that affect families. Dilkens remembers his uncle who died before the age of five because of war. The Windsor community values the men and women who serve in the city which has a storied military history.

“I am grateful to continue to celebrate the hard work our men and women do to help keep us free.”