Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Cenotaph

Aurora Cenotaph 2012, Remembering 1944 & 1945 Remembrance Days

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 06:00:23 +0000

History notes today …

The Aurora Cenotaph (located at the Aurora War Memorial and Peace Park), Aurora only’s memorial tower built in 1925 which stands 73 feet high, recognizes the local soldiers from Aurora, King and Whitchurch (Ontario) who served and fell (77 local men) in the Great War. The Altar of Sacrifice located at the base of the Cenotaph was dedicated 1960 to those who died (55 local men) in World War II.

The Cenotaph is constructed on the land once owned by the millitary leader William Graham. William Graham fought in the American Revolution and in the War 1812.

Aurora Cenotaph, Town of Aurora, Ontario

1944 Remembrance Day, Town of Aurora, Ontario

SERVICE WILL HONOR ALL DEAD ON SATURDAY, AURORA, ONTARIO, NOVEMBER 9TH, 1944

“Remembrance Day will be celebrated in Aurora on Saturday with a parade to the Aurora War Memorial where a brief service will be held, The parade, consisting of a detachment from No. 23 B.T.C, under Lieut. F. J. White, C.W.A.C. personnel, war veterans, Aurora fire brigade, Boy Scouts and school children, will fall in at the town park at 9.45 a.m.

The parade will leave at 10.15 and will travel to the cenotaph by way of Wells, Wellington and Yonge Sts. Hon W. P. Mulock will take the salute in front of the post office. Wreaths will be laid by the municipalities of Aurora, King and Whitchurch, as well as lodges and schools.”

Aurora Cenotaph, Town of Aurora, Ontario

Remembrance Day 1945, Town of Aurora, Ontario

VETERANS OF BOTH WARS WILL PARADE ON NOV. 11, THE NEWMARKET ERA AND EXPRESS, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 8TH, 1945

“On Sunday, Nov. 11, war veterans of both wars will honor the memory of those who paid the supreme sacrifice. At 10.30 a.m. wreaths will be placed at the cenotaph on behalf of the town of Aurora, province of Ontario, Aurora war veterans and by any other organizations so desiring.

At the same hour, veterans will fall in on Mosley St. opposite the Aurora United church and proceed to Aurora United church for divine service. The parade will be seated in the church by 10.50 a.m. when the service will begin.

At 11 a.m. two minutes silence will be observed, with Last Post and Reveille being sounded. A wreath will be placed in the church by representatives of the three armed services.

Following the service, the parade will form on Mosley St. and will parade north on Yonge St. to Wellington St., south on Vicotria St. to Mosley St., and along Mosley St. to the town hall. Mayor Ross Linton will take the salute in front of the post office.

President George Duffield and the executive of the Aurora War Veterans Association request as many veterans and servicemen as possible to be present. The regulation uniform sanctioned by the D.O.C. of M.D. 2 for World War II veterans, and berets, medals, armbands, will be worn by the last war veterans.”

Aurora Cenotaph, Town of Aurora, Ontario

Truck Load Of Books, Library Take Out Allowance And Self-Checkout

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:59:46 +0000

We were standing in line at the library to checkout our pile of books and DVDs. I had only six books and three DVDs. I thought that I was taking little too many items and the librarian for sure may say something.

While we were waiting I couldn’t help to notice a bigger pile of books lady in front of us was checking out. I counted over twenty. They were children’s books. I am assuming she must have been a teacher or daycare provider and the books were for the children.

Is there a limit how many books we can checkout? That wasn’t the question for that day but I thought I ask anyway. No there is no limit was the answer. I can checkout as many books I wish to read. A big shopping cart of books, aha, sounds good?

Kidding aside, there is no limit, but of course it is left to your discretion.

So what was my second question then?

I asked if there were records of all the books I checked out from the time I joined the library. The answer was no because ‘we don’t have enough storage, that it what they tell us‘ – librarian at the checkout told me.

That seemed strange because data such text shouldn’t require that much storage space. Something like that would only require to store three data fields such as name of the book, the author and a date when the book was taken out against the library card number. Never mind the book name and the author name is already in the database. The only new information will be the date.

Well, this is wishful thinking. May be in the future little modifications to the library database can be made. I guess I will be keeping my receipts for now as it was recommended to me that day.

Not even asking for it I got to learn self-checkout that day too. Librarian approached me and asked me if I would like to learn how to use the self-checkout. ‘You have checkout stands?‘ – I asked surprised. ‘Yes, of course, I like self-checkouts. As a matter of fact I use them in the stores all the time and I like them‘ – I added while she was bringing us to the area.

Aha now I know what this equipment is for. Lady was very patient with me as I kept looking after Matthew over my shoulder. I lost him for a split second in the bushes that morning and that darn split second felt like a longest split second of my life. I wasn’t going to take another heart attacking chance. By the way, checking out your own books is very easy.

Aurora Public Library, November Display

But before I conclude my another learning experience at the library I must suggest that when you are at the library drop by the display that is located on the right side of the sitting area.

Theme for this month is the Remembrance Day. However, the most fascinating to me item on the display is the panoramic view of the Yonge Street, the War Memorial and the farmland around. Not sure if you can see it on the above image but if you visit library you will see it for sure.

Aurora Public Library, November Display

I yet got to learn that all the displays are assembled by lady called Helen. Well I must say that Helen does amazing job especially by adding touch of Aurora or all about Aurora.

The lady who told me about Helen said: ‘Helen is really good in putting it all together. I don’t know where and how she gets her stuff. Sometimes she brings if from home. She does wonderful job assembling those displays, inside and the one at the entrance‘.

2011-11-11 Remembrance Day Ceremony At The Cenotaph, After

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:00:57 +0000

We arrived late at the War Memorial, just fifteen minutes before twelve. The crowds were dispersing and the Yonge Street re-opened. The winds were not helping, it was really cold.

I put gloves on Matthew’s cold hands and extra hood. He got warmer and he was happy to hop along again.

A lady was walking towards us as we were getting closer to the park. I sped up and offered her help. She had trouble walking. She said she was okay. It was her bad knees and she will be going for surgery – she told us. She made safe to the gas station. She was combing back from the ceremony.

We were so close so we kept going against the crowd. I been over the War Memorial tower only twice. It is very empowering site, yet sad.

War Memorial, Town of Aurora

I only know war stories told by civilians. My grandmother, my dad’s mom, lived through both wars (I and II). She told us many sad stories. Now as my father is getting older I see him talking more about the past. My father lost two sisters, 3 years old and 1 month old. Both died of shock from bombing. My mother lost two brothers, it was execution.

I have been exposed a lot to the history of the World Wars yet now that I am older, mature and a mother, it finally starting to sink in and makes me more sad every year.

We finally got to the cenotaph. The wind was gusting and it was getting colder. Wreaths started to fall and I found myself putting them back silently honoring the fallen.

In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.