Windsor gathers to honour, remember military service, sacrifice

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As in many other communities across Essex County, Ontario and Canada, hundreds gathered at the Windsor Cenotaph at City Hall Square Monday morning to honour the sacrifices of those who served in wars and in the military.

With the formal ceremony at the Essex County War Memorial underway at 11 a.m., special guest speakers include His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Hunter Commanding Officer Lt.-Cmdr. Chris Elliott, and Silver Cross Mother Theresa Charbonneau, whose son Cpl. Andrew Grenon of Windsor was killed on Sept. 3, 2008, at age 23 while serving with the Canadian Armed Forces as part of an international effort in Afghanistan.

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Monday’s ceremony is one of several ways the City of Windsor is honouring veterans this month. Images from the Canadian War Museum are on display on city hall’s ground-floor windows until the end of the month, and city hall has been illuminated in red during the evenings.

Decorative lighting installed along the two most northern blocks of Ouellette Avenue continue to be illuminated red and white until Tuesday night.

Banners honouring veterans are on display in Olde Riverside as part of the Veterans Banner Project, a partnership between Marty Flanagan, the Olde Riverside Town Centre BIA, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 255, and Enwin.

In a statement Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford asked “everyone in Ontario to join me in paying tribute to the Canadian heroes whose bravery and sacrifice are the foundation of our country’s freedom.

“During our shared moment of silence, let us honour the brave women and men who serve and have served in our Canadian Armed Forces and remember those who gave their lives to keep us safe.”

More to come.

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