Photo by Kelly Burgess, Bruce Peninsula Press   L-R: Members of the Legion Branch 202 Ladies   Auxiliary – Moyra Ready, Treasurer; Jean Shearer,   President; Wendy McConnell, Sergeant-at-Arms   and Phyllis Bain, Member convene at the Lion’s   Head cenotaph for the November 11th ceremony

    The beauty of a large crowd of people wearing their bright red poppies and honouring those who served and sacrificed their lives for their country overshadowed the blustery, dreary weather in Lion’s Head on November 11. People of all ages, including some young children, gathered at the Lion’s Head Cenotaph as Officiant Brian Reis, Chaplain of Branch 202 of the Royal Canadian Legion, led the service for Remembrance Day.

    Branch President, Richard Smith memorialized those who served our country heroically and paid respects to veteran Ken Diebel who passed away on November 4, 2021 in his 97th year. Diebel, was the last WWII veteran of branch 202, had recently received his 75-year service pin. Ken put his heart and soul into volunteering and helping others with all of the work he did over the years with the Legion.

    The beautiful wreaths, generously donated by people, businesses and organizations, were displayed at the Lion’s Head Cenotaph for the 10:50 a.m. service and at the Lindsay Township Cenotaph, also known as “Monument Corners” where they had a 9:30 a.m. service. It was at that earlier service where the winds were quite challenging for the flag holders. Wendy McConnell, Seargeant at Arms had to battle the wind at the earlier ceremony. “We didn’t use our flag carriers at Monument Corners due to high winds. We had to carry flags with both hands. It was hard to keep our balance,” she explained. “It was still a beautiful service despite the wind.”

Hopefully Next Year

Photo by Kelly Burgess, Bruce Peninsula Press   Preschoolers from Bruce Peninsula Family Centre   attend the Remembrance Day service at the   Lion’s Head cenotaph on November 11th

    Unfortunately, due to Public Heath Protocols, there was no parade again this year at the service and the students from Bruce Peninsula District School were not able to attend. The school did however have their own ceremony with students coming safely together to observe a moment of silence, lower the flag and sing O’ Canada. In speaking with some members of the Ladies Auxiliary, while they were disappointed not having the parade, they were grateful to have a meaningful gathering and hope that next year they will be marching again.

    Although the school students could not attend, a group of preschool children from the Bruce Peninsula Family Centre watched quietly from the grass listening to the trumpet play our national anthem and “God Save the Queen”. They may not understand at that age the significance of Remembrance Day but being exposed to such a reverent and emotional ceremony is a wonderful part of learning.

    You couldn’t help but feel a combination of respect and gratitude as Brain Reis read The Act of Remembrance, “They shall grow not old, as we who are left grown 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.”

Lion’s Head Legion Brance 202 News:

Remembrance Day Ceremony

Submitted by Richard Smith, President Branch 202

Photo by Kelly Burgess, Bruce Peninsula Press   The Branch 202 parade arrives at the Lion’s Head Cenotaph   for the Remembrance Day ceremony

    The Lion’s Head Legion Branch 202 held two Remembrance Day Services this year: one at the Monument Corners Cenotaph and one at the Lion’s Head Cenotaph. The services were well attended this year as opposed to last year. The increase in attendance is probably due to the fact that the area is coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The wreaths again this year were pre-laid because of the pandemic.

    The branch had a guest chaplain this year in the person of Brian Reis. Brain is a licensed lay reader in the Anglican Church of Canada and is a member of Branch 202. Thank you Brian.

    On behalf of the branch I would like to thank all of the Lion’s Head, Miller Lake, Stokes Bay and Pike Bay Communities for their generous donations to the branch Poppy Trust Fund. I would also like to thank those who donated wreaths at both cenotaphs for their generosity.

    Following is a list of wreath donors:

Monument Corners Cenotaph:

    Dominion of Canada, Province of Ontario, Branch 202 Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 202 Ladies Auxiliary, Bruce County, Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, Municipality of Northern Bruce Fire Dept., Lions Club, Emerson McLay Family, Davis & McLay Insurance, Karen Winters (in Memory of Tim Black), St. Margaret’s Chapel Cape Chin, Grey Bruce Health Services, Rona and EPH Tools.

Lion’s Head Cenotaph:

Photo by Kelly Burgess, Bruce Peninsula Press     The Lion’s Head cenotaph on November 11th

    Dominion of Canada, Province of Ontario, Branch 202 Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 202 Ladies Auxiliary, Bruce County, Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, Municipality of Northern Bruce Fire Dept., Sharron and Don Colter (in memory of William (Bill) Colter and Charles (Charlie) Frederick Pestill, World War II Veterans), Don Standen (in memory of Alf, Bill & Ted Standen), Christ Church Anglican, Bethel Missionary Church, Lion’s Head/Pike Bay United Churches, St. Mark’s Catholic Church, The Pentecostal Country Church, Bruce Peninsula Family Centre, Lion’s Head Hospital Auxiliary, Bruce Peninsula District School, Gerald Greig (Merchant Navy), Fred Van Tooren (in memory of William Younger), Bain Family (in memory of Murray & Scott Bain), Bev Miller (in memory of Alfred and Andrew Savage), Lions Club, SWANS, Lion’s Head Rotary Club, By the Bay, Remax Grey-Bruce Realty, Lion’s Head Beach Motel, Grey Bruce Health Services, Wilson Home Building Centre, Royal Bank of Canada, Rev. Robt. Mansfield & William Pearson Hiltz by the Mansfield family, LCBO–Lion’s Head, Beth Bruin (in memory of Charles L. Kelly Bruin, Judith Friend (in memory of Charles & Emma Friend) and Central Peninsula Sno-Drifters.