(Lansdowne, ON) For some, Remembrance is a single service that they may or may not attend on a single day in November. They gather in parks and auditoriums, churches and other venues to spend an hour considering the great sacrifices of those who gave their lives that they might still live free in the land that they love.

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 – the day and time when the Armistice was signed, bringing an end to the fighting. While not the end of the war, it was the key that brought peace after years of unprecedented bloodshed. The anniversary of this signing is what is celebrated on Remembrance Day each year.

But a single day and time is not always enough. Not everyone can be there, and communities in the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands (TLTI) and other surrounding areas celebrate as best fits for their people.

On the Friday prior to Remembrance Day, this year November 7, at 11 a.m., ceremonies were held at Remembrance Road in Mallorytown. Formerly CR5 and stretching from Athens to Mallorytown, a special grove of trees has been planted to honour 19 servicemen from the local area, ranging from WWI through the Afghanistan Conflict.

“Every year, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we gather in solemn remembrance,” said Andrew Willard, emcee and member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 484. “We pause not to glorify war, but to remember its cost – and to honor those who bore it.”

Among those participating in the services that day were Mayor Roger Haley of the Township of Front of Young (FOY); MPP Steve Clark, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes; schoolchildren from the FOY school; the St. Paul’s Presbyterian choir; Reverend Allister Rose; and several members of the Legion Branch 484 doing readings of “In Flanders Fields”, “We Shall Keep The Faith”, and the act of remembrance from Binyon’s “For the Fallen”.

“The men and women of the military who served us then and now deserve our greatest respect and gratitude,” said Mayor Haley. “Without their sacrifices, we would not be enjoying the freedoms we take for granted today; so we can go to work, school, and play without fear. We have lost thousands of Canadian heroes in the wars and peacekeeping missions around the world. They may have fallen, but they are not forgotten.”

“We are gathered today to remember the brave men and women who served in times of war and peace and who stood up to protect the freedoms and safety we enjoy today,” said MPP Clark. “We honor the memory of those who served by treating others with kindness, helping when we can, and doing our part to make our community stronger. As we take our moment of silence today, let’s think about those who served, those who never came home, and those who are still serving our country.”

November 8 is Indigenous Veterans Day, established in 1994 to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Indigenous Veterans in addition to acknowledging the historical injustices many faced during and after their military service. Although not widely known, it is hoping to become more recognized by the First Peoples community.

“It is not well established so the community will still need more time to decide what they want to do with it,” said Clarice Gervais, Metis woman. “Many of us have just learned of it. While a long-awaited honour, it takes some time and discussion to see how to move forward appropriately with such recognition. We always say, the past must not be forgotten or rewritten – we are still here.”

On November 11, Nancee Payne of Lansdowne, mother of fallen soldier Randy Payne from the Afghanistan Conflict, was celebrated as 2025’s National Silver Cross Mother, laying the official wreath in Ottawa.

Throughout the area, local Legions, towns and villages held Remembrance services. Lansdowne held their ceremony at the Thousand Islands Elementary School (TIES) sending someone outside to lay wreathes at the Veterans Memorial; Rockport had 40 souls braving the weather at their cenotaph as Archdeacon Varley performed the service. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 from Gananoque brought their colour guard to the Carveth Care Centre, and on Howe Island a brand-new cenotaph was dedicated and its first ever Remembrance service performed there.

“The weather may have been a little grey, but the spirits of our community were high, as over 100 people attended Howe Island’s inaugural Remembrance Day Service,” said Joanne Forsythe of the Remembrance committee. “The event was beautifully led by Deputy Mayor Bill Saunders, who served as MC. The ceremony began with the dedication of the new cenotaph, read by Bonnie Ottenhoff, whose family roots on the Island go back generations. Howe Island Fire and Rescue proudly raised the flag as everyone joined together to sing ‘O Canada’.

“Events like this can only happen through the generosity of the community and the dedication of the volunteers. A heartfelt thank you to the Howe Island Cenotaph Committee for their vision and hard work.”

Throughout the region, people were determined to let the world know we will not forget. And at every service, great or small, Binyon’s words rang true.

“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.”

We WILL remember them.