Nearly 200 people, including veterans and their relatives, members of the 56th Field Artillery Regiment, local dignitaries, cadets and first responders, attended this year’s Thank-A-Vet Luncheon to pay tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Among those in attendance were Edward and Irena Moczulski.
Edward turned 100-years-old just six months ago and is part of the Polish Combatants’ Association and fought at the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy back in 1944.
Following the piping in of the colour guard, the playing of the national anthem, the Act of Remembrance and the singing of God Save the King, Ed Chrzanowski, a board member for the Thank-A-Vet Luncheon, invited Candace Lee Lickers to light the candle at the remembrance table in honour of her grandfather Norman Saito.
“At military balls, weddings, reunions and other formal occasions, one beautiful, thoughtful way to honour those who have died, is a missing service member table,” said Chrzanowski. “Each element on the table symbolizes something specific.”
Key items of the missing service member table include an empty chair representing the absence, a white tablecloth symbolizing the purity of their intentions, a single red rose representing their sacrifice and loved ones, a slice of lemon symbolizing their bitter fate, a pinch of salt for their families’ tears and inverted glass representing the inability to join a toast.
Shortly after, master of ceremonies Dave Levac, who serves as co-chair of the Luncheon committee, then welcomed representatives of the 56th Field Artillery Regiment and local dignitaries to say a few words.
One by one, Lt.-Col. Dave Vreugdenhil, Hon. Col. Tim Young, Dan Muys, MP for Flamborough–Glanbrook–Brant North; Larry Brock, MP for Brantford–Brant South–Six Nations; Will Bouma, MPP for Brantford–Brant; David Bailey, Mayor for the County of Brant; Kevin Davis, Mayor for the City of Brantford; and Mark LaForme, a veteran representing the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, all spoke to share their gratitude.
“Today, we gather united in gratitude and respect for the courageous men and women who have served our nation. Your sacrifices have forged the path of freedom that we walk today, and your unwavering dedication to our country inspires us all,” said Brock. “We honour those who have fought valiantly on distant shores, facing unimaginable challenges, so that we may enjoy the privileges of peace and security back at home. Each of you carries stories of bravery, resilience and camaraderie. Let us take a moment to reflect not only on the sacrifices made in the past, but also on the ongoing commitment of our veterans. You are not just heroes of yesterday, you are vital members of our community today, your service continues to inspire us all.”
Levac then invited Petty Officer Second Class Joshua Ocampo of the 135 Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Admiral Nelles, Sergeant Alysha Chapman of the 2659 56th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Army, and Flight Corporal Aadya Saraswat of the 104 Starfighter Royal Canadian Air Cadets, up to the front to talk about what it means to be a service person and a veteran, and the importance of honouring them.
“Our world is changing, and with that change comes the risk of forgetting. Preserving the lives and legacies of those who served is the greatest thing we can offer to the veterans of this nation. As the echoes of October’s festivities fade, we stand on the threshold of remembrance, a time of pride and solemn reflection, a time to honour those who served and those who fell,” said Ocampo. “The stories of these individuals formed the foundation of our history; the offensive at Vimy Ridge, the liberation of The Netherlands, the naval battles on the Atlantic, the defense of Hong Kong. These stories are not just chapters in a book, they are the weight of sacrifice carried by generations.”
Ocampo went on to talk about the Indigenous people who also fought to protect their country, and in doing so, had to surrender much of who they were.
“Within this narrative lies a shadow, a burden borne by the thousands of Indigenous service members, men and women who, despite systematic barriers, chose to fight for Canada, often at a great personal cost. Many were forced to surrender their Indigenous status or face exclusion from service; and still, they answered the call,” he said. “Indigenous warriors such as Francis Pegahmagabow, Tommy Prince and Brantford’s own Tom Longboat, gave up comfort and family to defend this country. They endured hardship and discrimination, even while wearing the same uniform and facing the same dangers as their comrades. Through their courage, they kept the flame of freedom burning, a light that shines still today.”
“That light extends beyond the world wars. It shines through the Korean wars, Kosovo, the Gulf War, Afghanistan and the key peacekeeping missions in Cyprus, Egypt, Sierra Leone and many more,” continued Ocampo. “In each of these conflicts, Indigenous soldiers, sailors and aviators, demonstrated loyalty and bravery even when their nation failed to show them the same respect.”
Saraswat later said that after Indigenous veterans finally returned home, they had to face yet another battle.
“The battle against discrimination, exclusion and for equality. They were often denied the very freedoms they had risked their lives to protect. Some were refused basic veteran benefits, others were shut out of local services or restaurants, even in uniform, and many, after giving up their Indian status just to enlist, found themselves cut off from their communities,” she said. “Despite all of this, they endured. Many continued to serve in new ways, as leaders, as advocates and as reminders that patriotism can exist even in the face of injustice. Their reasons for serving were many; for pride, duty, the hope for a better life, and the desire to prove that they belonged, not just in the army, but in the story of this country. Their legacy is one of courage on the battlefield and resilience long after the fighting stopped. As we stand here in Brantford, on lands with deep Indigenous roots, let us remember that the freedoms we enjoy today were safeguarded by those who were denied those very freedoms in their own time.”
Following the presentations and lunch, many attendees stuck around to catch up with each other or tell some of the younger guests their various stories.
For those looking to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who have served and continue to serve our country, the City of Brantford will be hosting its Remembrance Day Service at the Brant War Memorial on Tuesday, November 11.
The order of proceedings for the City’s Remembrance Day Service and Parade is as follows:
- 10:40 a.m.: The Walking March leaves Harmony Square (89 Dalhousie Street) en route to the Brant County War Memorial (6 Dalhousie Street)
- 10:50 a.m.: Civic Service of Remembrance at the Brant County War Memorial, Brant Avenue and Dalhousie Street
A Fly-pass will occur during the service with the B-25 Mitchell and FF46 Firefly aircrafts courtesy of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, weather permitting.
The County’s Remembrance Day Services (also on November 11) are as follows:
- Burford Remembrance Day Ceremony, Burford Legion: Starts at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will run from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Paris Remembrance Day Ceremony, Paris Cenotaph: Starts at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will run from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- St. George Remembrance Day Ceremony, St. George Cenotaph: Starts at 10:30 a.m. The ceremony will run from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
