Peggy Graham, President of Royal Canadian Legion—Acton Branch 197, is expecting a robust turnout at this year's Remembrance Day ceremony on Saturday, November 11. “Because Nov. 11 falls on a Saturday, there is just one service this year. We're hoping that we'll get a lot of students and their parents coming out,” she said. “We usually get great attendance from the people of Acton.”
Many organizations and groups are taking part in the parade and ceremony this year, including the Knights of Columbus, Shriners, Acton Fire Fighters Association, Acton Police Association, Lorne Scots Regiment, Acton Air and Sea Cadets, Acton Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, Georgetown Pipe Band and Acton Citizens' Band, as well as federal and municipal government representatives.
Graham is especially proud of the 40 veterans' banners lining the parade route. “This is a great project. These banners commemorate veterans who grew up in Acton and went to war from Acton. Others are of veterans who were nominated by Legion members,” she said.
“This is the first year we've done the banners. We didn't have enough brackets to put them all up on Mill Street, so some are installed in storefronts in the Downtown BIA. We'll be starting up the campaign to get more brackets and in March we'll be looking for more veterans to put on the banners. I'm sure there are some Acton people who would like their veterans included,” Graham added.
Those marching will gather at the GO Station parking lot around 10:00 AM.. At 10:30, the procession will travel along Mill Street to the Cenotaph led by the Georgetown Pipe Band. Upon arrival at the monument, the Acton Citizens' Band will play O Canada. Retired Captain Kati Legge will be serving as Master of Ceremonies and reading the Names of the Fallen and the list of wreath donations.
This year, according to Sgt-at-Arms Percy Harding, four senior cadets from Acton Air Cadets Typhoon Squadron will be part of the Honour Guard at the Cenotaph. “I've heard that the cadets have been training very hard. This is probably the best-organized ceremony that I've been involved with in the last few years. Everybody is coming that was invited with the exception of Ted Arnott from the provincial government. He'll be attending the ceremony at Queen's Park as he's the Speaker of the House.”
After the ceremony, members are invited to attend a Service of Remembrance at the Legion that will be presided over by Rev. Mark Sullivan. As in past years, the Women's Auxiliary will serve a roast beef dinner. Dinner tickets are $19 and are available at the Legion.
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