Fort Erie residents embrace spirit of remembrance

The Fort Erie community appears to have been more involved and supportive of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 71’s efforts ahead of Remembrance Day this year than in the past.

This was an observation made by Ward 1 Councillor George McDermott who delivered remarks on behalf of the Town of Fort Erie at Tuesday’s ceremony at the Legion on Garrison Road.

He noted that several downtown business owners and staff on Jarvis Street stood outside and observed the day out of respect for men and women who have served in conflicts.

“That’s probably the first time I’ve seen that, and I think that’s great,” said McDermott, also complimenting the large crowd of more than 200 people that filled the Legion hall and overflowed into the bar area.

“I’ve never seen crowds like this before,” said McDermott.

“There’s so much more interest,” he added.

Branch 71’s poppy chair Scherri Teal agreed with McDermott’s position that more people seemed to be participating locally this year.

There were more wreaths laid than normal at the ceremony, and donations are up from last year, she said.

“The community is getting more involved,” she said, adding that a final figure won’t be known until the end of the week after the close to 200 poppy boxes placed throughout the town are collected.

New businesses and donors who have not taken part in previous years contributed this time around.

“We’re more aggressive with campaigning now than they ever used to be,” Teal said at the conclusion of Tuesday’s ceremony, which included songs performed by the Legion band as well as the choir from St. Paul’s Anglican Church.

Roll calls were read during the ceremony, listing the local residents who died in various conflicts dating back to the First World War.

There was also a celebrity in the audience, Burdett Sisler, a radar technician in the Second World War.

Earlier this month, at 110 years old, he became the oldest living Canadian and Second World War veteran.

A large lineup formed after the ceremony of people wishing to shake his hand.

Asked by Niagara This Week for his thoughts on such a large crowd in attendance, he said it’s “nice to see.”

Sisler’s 110th birthday was celebrated at Branch 71 in April, an event also attended by a large crowd of well-wishers.

In his remarks, Regional Councillor Tom Insinna said he’s honoured to be invited to speak and pay respect to those who fought for freedom.

“We owe those men and women a debt of gratitude that can never be paid,” said Insinna.

Branch 230 in Ridgeway also held a ceremony at 11 a.m., followed by another one at Stevensville Memorial Hall later in the afternoon.

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