Several hundred people gathered for the annual Remembrance Day service at the Paris Cenotaph on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
The morning service began at 10:45 a.m. with piper Glen Howie of the Paris Port Dover Pipe Band and a drummer of the Ayr-Paris Band leading the Colour Party in a march from Broadway Street to the cenotaph. Police officers, first-responders, local representatives and cadets joined the procession. A pre-service Honour Roll took place shortly beforehand.
Following a Land Acknowledgement from master of ceremonies Gerry Paxton, Rev. Canon Mario Hryniewicz opened the service with the dedication.
“On this Remembrance Day, we come O Lord, in gratitude for all who have died that we might live, for all who endured pain that we might know joy, for all who suffered imprisonment that we might know freedom,” Rev. Hryniewicz recited. “Turn our deep feeling now into determination, and our determination into deeds, that as people died for peace, we may live in peace for the sake of the Prince of Peace.”
Jennifer Budd, accompanied by Adelaide Velez, then led attendees in singing “O Canada” before bugler Geoff Adeney played “Last Post” to signify the start of the two minutes of silence.
Following the silence, Howie performed the “Lament” on the bagpipes, before Adeney sounded the “Rouse.”
Rev. Hryniewicz then recited the Act of Remembrance, followed by a message of remembrance and a prayer for those who fought for peace in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and the War in Afghanistan, as well as the armed forces involved in peacekeeping missions around the world.
“We remember with gratitude those who gave their lives for the cause of freedom,” he said “Grant, O Lord, unto all of us for whom they died that their devotion may bring fruit in us in more abundant love for others.”
North Ward School students Sarat Yakub and Elan Leayadah then recited John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Field,” before Budd sang Isaac Watts’ “O God Our Help in Ages Past” ahead of the wreath-laying ceremony.
Wreaths were laid in honour of those who served and sacrificed in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Battle of Hong Kong, as well as members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian Airborne Regiment and the 56th Field Regiment.
As Paxton read the names and organizations being honoured, members of the Ayr-Paris Band played in the background. Local dignitaries, representatives of the police, fire and paramedic services, local Legion members, Girl Guides, Scouts and schools all took turns laying wreaths during the ceremony.
Rev. Hryniewicz then bestowed a final blessing and benediction before Budd and Velez closed out the service with “God Save the King” and the parade moved off.
Many attendees made their way up to the cenotaph to pay their respects, placing poppies in honour of those who made the supreme sacrifice before heading out for the rest of the afternoon.
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.
