Remembrance Dayat Plevna's new war memorial

Julie Druker | Nov 18, 2015

Over 120 members of the local community gathered for the first Remembrance Day ceremony in Plevna, which took place at the new war memorial on November 11. The memorial was erected in front of the Clar-Mill Community Centre earlier this year. Led by Northbrook Legion Branch #328 president, Mike Powley Jr., the ceremony included words by North Frontenac Mayor Ron Higgins, who focused on Canada's involvement in the First World War, specifically the high points of Canadian military achievement that became known as “Canada's Hundred Days”. The “Hundred Days” involved a series of attacks made along the Western Front by the Canadian Corps in a 96-day offensive that ended the war. Councilor Gerry Martin read the names of many of Plevna's veterans who fought and died for the country since World War 1, and Northbrook Legion Padre, Harry Adringa, read a series of prayers.

Students from Clarendon Central Public School in Plevna under the guidance of teacher Katie McDonald also participated at the service. Grade six student, Madison Gunsinger, read the poem “In Flanders Fields”, after which the students joined together to sing “Let There Be Peace on Earth”. Ron Lemke also played and sang “Amazing Grace”. Numerous wreaths were laid by local dignitaries and other members of the community and to close the service, The Act of Remembrance was read out. The new war memorial has created a place where residents of Plevna and the surrounding community can now gather for their very own Remembrance Day service.