STOUGHTON - As the crowd of 100 people gathered in the Stoughton branch of the Royal Canadian Legion for the community's Remembrance Day service, Zack Sloane, the new pastor from the Stoughton Apostolic Church, welcomed everyone, and he asked that those who were able to gather outside at the cenotaph for the laying of wreaths.
The singing of O Canada was lead by Debbie McLenaghan, and then the Last Post was played.
As the bugle was played by Dustin Hall, the flag was lowered to half mass by legion member Ray Coderre. Two minutes of silence was observed for those who never returned home.
This solemn annual gathering brought together members of the community and veterans to pay tribute to those who served in the war, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
One by one, dignitaries were escorted by a Stoughton Girl Guide to the cenotaph for the wreaths to be laid. Upon completion of the wreath laying ceremony, everyone returned to the warmth of the hall.
A prayer of invocation was given by Sloane, followed by the singing of Peace like a River which was accompanied by the organ playing of Alvina Goudy.
Ann Phillips from the Stoughton United Church read Joshua 4: 1-9, followed by a prayer together with Brad Phillips from the Catholic Church.
Everyone stood for the Lord’s Prayer and Sloane had a short sermon.
He spoke about his move to Stoughton and how in his hometown in Ontario the legion was taken down as it was no longer used. As he drove down Highway 33 and came to Stoughton, he saw the legion and was happy to see that small towns still know the importance of the organization.
He belonged to the cadets and played the bagpipes.
“I remember this like it happened yesterday; it was powerful and there was always a lot of people,” said Sloane.
Today the gatherings are smaller, and each year fewer veterans remain, but he realizes that times change and that things are different today.
He said everyone wants peace, and this is also something that God strives for – a peaceful nation.
Sloane choose the reading from the Bible as it spoke of the Israelites going through the sea. Each family member was to take a stone, and with these stones the future was to be built.
It is similar today, with building and instructing our children, just like they did in the Biblical times.
Chief Pat Slater of the Stoughton Tecumseh Fire Department read off the 305 names of those who did not return home or have passed away over the years. The names are read so that people do not forget who they are and what they did for this country to keep it free.
Chloe Foster read a poem that she wrote called Angels in the Sky, which was a touching poem dedicated to those who have left.
The service ended with the singing of How Great Thou Art and God Save the King.
A luncheon followed for those who wished to stay and visit.
