Recognizing our heroes.  Honouring their courage. Never forgetting their sacrifice.

This was the theme of last Thursday’s annual Remembrance Day commemoration in Hampstead.  I enjoy attending this event each year because of the large turnout of school children from the community and experiencing the moment and the memories together with them.

Longtime Hampstead Public Security officer Mike Fitzgerald was the master of ceremonies.  Once again, Fitzgerald demonstrated his unique skills at blasting out commands to the soldiers assembled there from the Royal Montreal Regiment.

Councillors Glenn J. Nashen (2nd from left) and Ruth Kovac (4th from right) join Hampstead Town Council, Police Commander Bissonnette, members of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Royal Montreal Regiment

With beautiful words of welcome to the children, Mayor William Steinberg, handed the program over to the students from Hampstead School, Solomon Schecter Academy, JPPS, Ecole de la Mosaique (on Guelph in CSL) and Ecole des Amies du Monde (on Mackle Road).  With great inspiration and enthusiasm, the kids recited poems and sang songs of remembrance.

Councillor Ruth Kovac and I were invited to deposit a wreath on behalf of the City of Cote Saint-Luc.

Councillors Glenn J. Nashen and Ruth Kovac, accompanied by Hampstead Town Manager Richard Sun, representing the Royal Canadian Legion, deposit a wreath

The mood was solemn, the air crisp and silence prevailed at just the right moments, not an easy task for a couple hundred school kids.  It was a splendid opportunity to pass on the tradition of honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Kudos to the Town of Hampstead, Mayor Steinberg and Members of Council along with organizer Chandra Devenyi, Interim Supervising Manager, for a wonderful and dignified event.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Read more:

Mike Cohen’s recap of Remembrance Day ceremonies in Cote Saint-Luc