Busy time of year for veterans, Legion members in Sudbury preparing Remembrance Day services

Sudbury ramps up Remembrance Day events It's a busy time for veterans and Legion members involved in organizing Remembrance Day services Monday.

It's a busy time for veterans and Legion members involved in organizing Remembrance Day services Monday.

Roughly 1,100 high school students attended the Remembrance Day service in the gymnasium at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School on Thursday.

That one was planned by students, teachers and several local veterans.

"Sometimes it can be difficult to make sure that we’re integrating people that aren’t already in the school into our ceremonies," said Grade 11 student Daniella Grottoli.

"I think the most quintessential part of planning was ensuring that we were able to put them in a position where they could be heard, and where we could value their information."

The school’s ceremony included O Canada, the Last Post -- a traditional bugle call played at military funerals -- two minutes of silence, reading of poems and laying of wreaths.

Guest speaker Mike Jensen said those elements help to mark a tradition that honours sacrifices made by veterans who served their country.

Jensen is a retired Petty Officer First Class with the Royal Canadian Navy.

"Every service I’ve been to since I was in Iron Bridge Public School, way back when, these (traditions) were ingrained in our mind as citizens growing up," he said.

"And of course, with my (20 years of) military service … observing Remembrance Day was very significant for service members and these were always key, poignant moments in every Remembrance Day observation."

The local Veterans Peer Support group Jensen is a part of prefers to be outside for Remembrance Day services. Their ceremony on Monday will be at Memorial Park at 11 a.m.

Meanwhile, the main public service will be steps away at the Sudbury Arena. It’s a small group of volunteers with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 76 who are planning that event, working to ensure everything runs smoothly.

"Today we’re in the process of just tidying up the wreaths that are lain," said Legion member Tom Hewitt, head organizer of the event.

"In a lot of cases, they’ve been used a couple of times, new wreaths come in. We’re replacing the ribbons, putting them in boxes."

About 40 wreaths will be laid by dignitaries and representatives at Monday's service.

Kay Hedley, who has been volunteering for decades, said it's "all about the veterans."

"I just think it’s very important. We live in Canada free, and we thank our veterans for our freedom,” Hedley added.

Regardless of how or where Remembrance Day is marked, organizers said events are about honouring soldiers who serviced this country – some who paid the ultimate sacrifice and others who returned home.

All for the freedom we all now enjoy.