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

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.

Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Remembrance Day

Aurora Cenotaph 2012, Remembering 1944 & 1945 Remembrance Days

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