Remembrance Day Ceremony at Hastings Cenotaph

Hastings’ Legion Pastor Jamie York.

“We hope for a place where our children and grandchildren (and the generations to follow) can live abundant lives in the freedom that many fought to preserve. We come here in the hope that our remembrances will have renewed traction day in, day out.” Rev. Jamie York, Pastor Hastings Legion

Editor’s Note: We cover one ceremony on Nov. 11 from one of the three communities in Trent Hills. The previous coverage Trent Hills Now provided was that of the Campbellford Legion at the Campbellford Cenotaph in Nov. 2019, pre-covid. Plans are to cover the Warkworth Legion’s ceremony next year.

Article/Images by John Campbell

Hastings - Fri., Nov. 11, 2022 - Tens of thousands of Canadians have answered the call to preserve this country’s freedoms and paid for it with their lives in two world wars and other conflicts.

Their deaths are honoured every Nov. 11, as is the service rendered by other members of the military, past and present, who dedicate themselves to making the world a safer place, even if means being sent on dangerous missions.

“They don’t like to be called war heroes,” Bill Johnston, service officer for Royal Canadian Legion Branch 106 told those gathered for the Remembrance Day service held at the cenotaph in Hastings. In their minds “they’re doing their job.”
The “real war heroes” are those whose names are engraved on the cenotaph for having made the ultimate sacrifice, he said.

That men and women in uniform around the world are still being asked to put their lives on the line is a grim reminder that humankind refuses to learn the lessons of the past.

So part of the ritual every November is to not only remember the fallen but to also offer a prayer that no more blood will be shed in combat.
“We hope for a future without war and a world that lives together in peace,” said Rev. Jamie York, pastor for the Hastings Legion.

“We hope for a place where our children and grandchildren (and the generations to follow) can live abundant lives in the freedom that many fought to preserve. We come here in the hope that our remembrances will have renewed traction day in, day out.”

York asked for God’s blessing for those serving in the military and their families who made it possible for them “to be on watch at home or around the world world,” as well as those families “who had to grieve the death of a member who went in harm’s way, never to return.”

He included in his prayers the veterans who laid down their lives and the ones “who bear scars on their bodies and scars in their spirits,” men and women “who came home but couldn’t fit in with their families or communities anymore.”

“Grant them the peace they sought to preserve for others,” York said. “Teach all your people the ways of peace that those who have sacrificed so much for peace and freedom will not have done so in vain.”

Approximately 50 wreaths were laid at the cenotaph by individuals representing all three levels of governments (Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate being among them), various organizations and businesses, and families.

Taking part in the service were members of 8 Wing in Trenton. Younger children from Hastings Public School and their teachers were in attendance as well.

Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate

Firefighter Alison Gratton laid a wreath on behalf of Trent Hills Fire Department.

Legion members Ryan Beatty, brothers Joe and Dave Nicholls laid wreaths.

8 Wing Trenton took part in the service.