By Mark Squibb
In lieu of a having a local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, the November 11th Committee has hosted the Town of Bay Bulls annual Remembrance Day ceremony for over 40 years, a tradition that is still going strong.
“Veterans died, and gave of themselves for our freedom, and we need to remember and respect what they have done,” said committee member Don Drew.
The ceremony typically begins with a ceremony at Saints Peter and Paul Parish at 10:30 a.m., followed by a parade and wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial near the Town Hall.
This year, in addition to veterans, Knights of Columbus members, cadets, and volunteers, a representatives from a battalion in St. John’s will join the ceremony.
Ahead of Remembrance Day, the committee spends hours organizing the event with other volunteer groups and organizations and arranging the wreath laying service.
Drew estimates that upwards of 500 people show up for the ceremony every year, representing a considerable chunk of the town’s 1,500 population.
“We have people who are four generations from family members that served who are laying wreaths in memory of their family members,” noted Drew.
A long-time community volunteer and former mayor, Drew said it’s especially important to share in a moment of silence for veterans in this day and age given the amount of ongoing conflict around the world.
“Canadians and all soldiers around the world are facing conflicts, and people should show up that day and give an hour of their time, to remember those who served in any conflict, and are serving today,” said Drew. “It does show support and respect for those, and their families, who have given so much.”
The Town of Bay Bulls boasts perhaps one of the earliest war memorials in the province, erected in the early 1920’s in memory of Bay Bulls resident John Frampton, and others who had lost their lives in World War I.
That memorial is currently in storage, as a new memorial, funded by Muirs Marble Works, Pennecon, the Town of Bay Bulls, and donations from businesses and individuals alike, was installed in 2012, along with a new platform and benches.
The new memorial bears the same engraving as the original monument, which was also funded by community efforts.
