Well, Remembrance Day is over for another year. In the Legion, it is the most important day of the year. It is the day that we put on public display what we do year round, honour our fallen veterans. The day dawned rather wet but by the time the parade moved off at 10:45am it had settled for overcast and cool.

I have a long standing practice of not wearing a topcoat over my uniform blazer so the trick to warmth on a day like yesterday is dressing in layers under the shirt. I have a white turtleneck that is worn only on days like that followed by a white t-shirt and then my shirt. Had it been raining which has happened on some Remembrance Days, a clear plastic bag would have been cut to match under my blazer in an effort to keep the layers dry. November in Canada, you expect just about any weather, including snow.

Many were pleased with the service at the park. We didn’t rush it but it wasn’t dragged out either. The parade consisted of a contingent from the Branch, a unit from 429 Squadron CFB Trenton, two classes from Colborne Public School and a contingent from the Masons. Two of our war veterans, Don Prentice and Jim Montgomery took the salute on the return march. I grabbed a brief opportunity to explain the salute to the youngsters and I’m told they did a great job of pulling it off. Good on them.

We returned to the branch to find the kitchen in darkness. Apparently a circuit had blown and no one was able to get it going. A couple of the guys who had been up at the park tried and determined that it was beyond our ability. So, on the phone to get an electrician which we managed to do in startling fast time. Thank god for gas stoves, the soup was able to be heated for lunch so those in the parade were able to eat.

Several of us remained for the afternoon while others went off elsewhere, home, work or play until supper time. Supper wasn’t as well attended as we expected but there was enough to enjoy each others company. I don’t like to let supper drag out as some of our older members who don’t really like being out in the evening attend and I try to be respectful of their effort to come out on this day.

I was home by about 8:30pm and that was with having a drink afterwards. Today, is going to be a day of just staying home and trying to relax. Days like that take a lot out of me, physically and mentally but it is a day that is important. Without our veterans and their sacrifices, we wouldn’t have our freedom.