The event, held at Victoria Park, commemorated not only those lost during the First World War, but also those who died during subsequent missions.
For Daniel Rodrigue, Quebec provincial president and Granby regional president of the UN-NATO Canada Veterans group and organizer, it was important to continue to honor the memory of veterans.
Daniel Rodrigue makes it a point to organize the event at Victoria Park, year after year. (Catherine Trudeau/La Voix de l’Est)
“You know, I was in the Forces for 38 years. I have served in Europe, in Afghanistan and in several places around the world and it is something that is close to my heart. I was not able to see that there was no ceremony,” he explains.
The event attracted a crowd of around 500 people according to Mr. Rodrigue.
“If we are free today, it is because of those who were there before us. It’s important to remember them and to pass them along to the population,” explains Roger Lambert, present at the event and who served for 27 years in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Roger Lambert, a citizen of the Estrie region. He served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 27 years. (Catherine Trudeau/La Voix de l’Est)
There was no parade this year and it was Mr. Rodrigue’s choice to do so.
“I wanted a gathering. We are here, we come together and we respect the dead and our freedom today.”
— Daniel Rodrigue, Granby regional president of the UN-NATO Canada Veterans group and organizer
He adds that this choice was also due to the lack of place for the start of the parade. “We, the veterans of Granby, have no place. We are a group and not an organization. We are not part of an organization but we are part of the legion, but the closest legion is in Cowansville or Waterloo. So we try to do our best to express our respect.”
Protocol procedure
Hosted by master of ceremonies Richard Bergeron, the event, which was held in both languages, began with a speech of thanks to veterans and combatants.
“This year, we come together to remember veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our rights and freedoms. We also think of the military and the Canadians who continue to do their duty to preserve peace in the world. Their efforts and courage contribute to making Canada a country respected all over the world,” declared Mr. Bergeron.
Then followed the national anthem where the crowd was invited to sing.
During the Last calla song performed solo on the trumpet, we could see a few rays of sunshine appear for a few moments, a moving moment for several people on site.
Afterwards, two minutes of silence were observed.
The laying of wreaths at the foot of the cenotaph in memory of those lost in combat. (Catherine Trudeau/La Voix de l’Est)
The Lament, the Awakening et the Act of Remembrance read in French and English by some students from Parkview School followed for the ceremony to take place.
Prayers were recited by Michel Martin, in French, and by Brent Robillard, in English.
Wreaths were, among others, laid at the foot of the cenotaph by the Mothers of the Silver Cross, the federal MP, Andréanne Larouche, the provincial MP for Granby and Minister of Transport of Quebec, François Bonnardel, the mayor of Granby, Julie Bourdon , the director of the Granby Police Department, Bruno Grondin, Sylvain Beauregard representing the Dessercom paramedic service, students from Parkview school and former military personnel.
An old cenotaph
The Victoria Park Cenotaph was created to commemorate the deaths of local soldiers who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. Mr. Rodrigue would like this monument to be restored to add the names of missing people who participated in other wars.
The names of the soldiers who lost their lives in combat are on the plaque but many are still missing, according to Daniel Rodrigue. (Catherine Trudeau/La Voix de l’Est)
“My goal, eventually, would be to see the monument redone because wars are missing on it. We participated in the war in Afghanistan but it’s still not there.”
— Daniel Rodrigue, Granby regional president of the UN-NATO Canada Veterans group and organizer of the event
Mr. Rodrigue reportedly made some requests before the pandemic, but they were not accepted because of the events of 2020. He wants to one day see names added in memory of people who fought for freedom.
The veteran assures that as long as he is there, there will always be an event for Remembrance Day so that veterans are not forgotten.
“As long as I’m here, it won’t happen,” he concludes with a laugh!
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