Large crowds honour veterans in Winnipeg
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 | 3:14 PM CT
CBC News
Veterans and members of the public gathered around a cenotaph in Winnipeg's Bruce Park in one of many Remembrance Day services in the city. (CBC)There was a strong show of support for Canada's military personnel on Remembrance Day in Winnipeg.
Several hundred civilians packed the nearly century-old Minto Armoury on St. Matthew's Avenue in the city's West End, where they joined hundreds more military members on Wednesday.
Master Cpl. Aaron Carlson, currently with the 17 Service Battalion based in Minto, told CBC News the show of support from the public was inspirational.
"It's just — it gives us motivation, you know, when you see everyone come out to support you. It's indescribable, really," he said.
A Remembrance Day service on Valour Road in Winnipeg attracted hundreds of people on Wednesday. (CBC)Veteran Brian Lessard spent 10 years in the military and felt it was important for him and his wife to bring their young children to the ceremony.
"I understand — my wife especially understands — the sacrifices that even the families go through as well as the soldiers," he said. "I think it's important to come out and remember the sacrifices that are made for the freedoms that we have."
Lessard served in the Balkans with a Quebec regiment, and then served more tours of duty with the Winnipeg-based Princess Patricia's Light Military Infantry.
Brig.-Gen. Kelly Woiden addressed the crowd during the poignant hour-long service, which concluded with a prayer for peace and several rounds of applause as each unit marched out of the hall.
'I think it's important to come out and remember the sacrifices that are made for the freedoms that we have.'— Veteran Brian Lessard
The Minto event was among many indoor and outdoor memorial events held around the province, the largest of which was at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. That service, hosted by the Joint Veterans Association, drew thousands of people to the downtown facility.
Hundreds of people also gathered for an outdoor service at Valour Road, a street in the city's West End. Among them was Amber Peter, who wiped away tears as she thought about two friends in the military.
"It touches close to home because they have been to Afghanistan and they will be going to Kandahar," she said.
Joan Degagne's husband served in Europe during the Second World War and her two sons are now in the military. They have served in Bosnia and Croatia, and are now in Afghanistan.
Degagne said services to honour military personnel are important for all Canadians and everyone should take notice.
"I think everything should stop at 11 o'clock, traffic and all," she said.
Presence in Ottawa
The province also had a strong presence at the national ceremony in Ottawa. This year's Silver Cross mother is Winnipeg's Della Marie Morley, whose son, Cpl. Keith Morley, was killed in Afghanistan in 2006 in a suicide bombing.
'I would like you to think of my son and the young men and women that have given their lives in Afghanistan, but as well as the other wars.'— Della Marie Morley
She was in the nation's capital to lay a wreath at the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who have lost children in the service of their country. Morley said she was proud to represent the mothers and families of Canadian soldiers who have given their lives.
"I would like you to think of my son and the young men and women that have given their lives in Afghanistan, but as well as the other wars. I grew up with Remembrance Day a very big part of our lives because my grandparents were part of World War I," Morley told CBC News.
"There are some of Keith's friends in Afghanistan right now, so we also need to think of the people that are over there now doing their job."
When the lost his life, Keith Morley was serving with the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, which is based in Shilo, Man.
Honours in Winnipeg
There are several places in Winnipeg that pay tribute to Manitoba war heroes:
- Vimy Ridge Memorial Park in central Winnipeg recognizes those who fought in one of Canada's greatest military triumphs, the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
- Valour Road, originally called Pine Street, was renamed in 1925 in recognition of the courage of three young men who all lived on the 700 block of the street and served in the First World War — Cpl. Leo Clarke, Sgt. Maj. Frederick William Hall, and Lt. Robert Shankland, who each received the Victoria Cross for acts of bravery.
- Brookside Cemetery, the biggest military burial site on Canadian soil. Among the 12,000 veterans buried at the site, in the city's northwest corner, is Maj. Harry Colebourne.
Maj. Colebourne and Winnie the Pooh
Born in Birmingham, England, Colebourne came to Canada in 1905 and received a degree in veterinary surgery in Ontario before later moving to Winnipeg.
In August 1914, as a veterinary officer with the 34th Fort Garry Horse of Manitoba, Colebourne was travelling by train from Winnipeg to Valcartier, Que. Changing trains at White River Bend in Ontario, he came across a man with a black bear cub tied to the arm of a bench.
Colebourne learned the man was a trapper who shot and killed the cub's mother. Colebourne paid $20 for the bear, which became the mascot for the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade.
When he was shipped overseas, Colebourne took the bear but while passing through London, England, on the way to France, Colebourne thought it would be too dangerous to bring along the bear that he had named Winnie, after his hometown.
He donated Winnie to the London Zoo, where author A.A. Milne saw the cub and was inspired to create the Winnie The Pooh character beloved by generations of children.
Operating hours in Winnipeg
All federal, provincial and civic offices are closed around the province for Remembrance Day.
In Winnipeg, certain stores can open but will operate on restricted hours. The Remembrance Day Act requires some stores to close between 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Those that must obey the Act include non-essential businesses such as retail stores, rental companies and businesses charging admission to movies, concerts, theatre, exhibits and sporting events.
A number of employees and businesses, including hotels and restaurants, are exempt.
Banks and the city landfill are closed, and there is no recycling or garbage pickup at most residences — recycling will take place as scheduled at apartment buildings.
All libraries, leisure centres and indoor pools are closed, except for the Pan Am Pool, which will be open from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Assiniboine Park Zoo and the conservatory are also open from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Liquor stores, with the exception of CityPlace, will open at 1 p.m.
Winnipeg Transit is running on a Sunday schedule.
