Thunder Bay residents on the city’s north and south sides paid tribute to those who never returned home from war and those who currently serve in the military today. A special ceremony remembering Indigenous soldiers was also held at Mount McKay today with many sharing how important it is to remember the sacrifices made in war for our country.
Plenty of people got an early start today on the city’s south side in anticipation of the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Fort William Gardens. People parked several blocks away getting ready to be in their seats by 10:30 this morning. Several hundred people attended.
Families of young and old took part in the sombre event on the city’s south side. World War Two Navy Veteran and member of the Canadian Armed Forces Roy Lamore took part in a passing of the torch ceremony. Dignitaries in attendance included Thunder Bay NDP MPP Judith Monteith-Farrell, Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski, and Silver Cross Mother Maureen Schmidt.
Now over at Mount McKay, about 300 people endured a frigid -13 degree temperature to honour Indigenous soldiers who served and died. The poem In Flanders Fields was sung, and soon after that, the flags were lowered during the 11th hour for the moment of silence. After that, a large number of wreaths were laid, including from representatives of the City of Thunder Bay and local police services. Local resident Kateri Banning also took part in the service, adding it was her late grandfather Frank Bannon who started this Mount McKay Remembrance Day ceremony in 1995.
Ceremonies were also held at the Waverly Park Cenotaph with Carol Klukie as the Silver Cross Mother.
