Remembering in Flinton

Julie Druker | Nov 11, 2015

As always, a large gathering of all ages from the local and surrounding communities attended the Remembrance Day service at the Flinton cenotaph on Sunday, Nov. 8. Led by Mike Powley, president of the Northbrook Legion Branch 328, the service was attended by numerous members of the Northbrook Legion, many local dignitaries, and a number of young members of the 640 Cadets from Cloyne. The service took place under sunny skies and included prayers by Legion Padre Harry Andringa, remarks by Addington Highlands Reeve Henry Hogg, and the laying of 35 wreaths whose dedications were read aloud by Pastor Rob of the Kaladar Pentecostal Church.

Powley opened the service with the words, “Let us pause to think reverently of those of our comrades who by sea, by land and in the air laid down their lives for their sovereign and country. Their sacrifice will ever inspire us to labour on, to the end that those who survive and need our aid may be assured of assistance, and that the country in which we live, and for which they died may ever be worthy of the sacrifice they made.”

Following the laying of 35 wreaths, members of the community who attended the service were invited to place their poppies at the cenotaph. The service concluded with a lunch that was served at Through the Roof Ministries located just down the road. Legion President Powley, who led this and other Remembrance Day services for his first time as the new president of the Northbrook Legion, said he was honored to be asked to fulfill that role. “My father, Corp. Reg Powley Sr., who was from Odessa and was a veteran who served in the Canadian army in Europe in WW2 from 1942-1945, helped to liberate Holland. He met my mother Dixie following the liberation there. Leading these services has allowed me to pay my respects not only to my own parents but to all of the veterans who served as well.”