The grave that they dug him had flowers
Gathered from the hillsides in bright summer colours
And the brown earth bleached white at the edge of his gravestone
He’s gone…
(The Grave – Don McLean)
(Gananoque, ON – November 11, 2025) A bleak and somber autumn sky hung over Gananoque on November 11 as area residents gathered at the cenotaph in Town Hall Park to participate in the annual Remembrance services. Despite a thin blanket of snow on the ground, people of all ages filtered in to pay their respects to all those area men who had passed in service to Canada since WWI, filling the grounds with reverent reflection.
This year’s service was performed by Gananoque Mayor John Beddows in his capacity as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92. Other speakers included MP Michael Barrett, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands-Rideau Lakes representing the government of Canada; Gananoque Poet Laureate Gretchen Huntley; and Arch Deacon Wayne Varley.
Gananoque Mayor John Beddows, Master of Ceremonies photo by Lorraine Payette 
The parade from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 to Town Hall Park was led by the Queens Bands from Kingston. photo by Lorraine Payette 
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 colour guard leading the Legion members to Town Hall Park. photo by Lorraine Payette 
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 colour guard. photo by Lorraine Payette 
The Canadian Armed Forces Marching Party from the 21 Electonic Warfare Regiment/212th Squadron. photo by Lorraine Payette 
People of all ages filled Town Hall Park in Gananoque to participate in the annual Remembrance Services. photo by Lorraine Payette
Arch Deacon Varley opened the services with a prayer.
“O God, our maker and our strength, from whose love we can never be parted either by death or defeat: May our remembrance this day deepen our sorrow from the loss and wastes of war, make us grateful to those who courageously gave their lives to defend this land and commonwealth; and may all who bear the scars and memories of conflicts, past and present, know your healing love.”
He also gave a reading from the book of Micah.
“Each year, Canadians pause to honour the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country,” said MP Barrett. “This year, the Silver Cross Mother for Canada is Nancy Payne of Lansdowne. Her son, Corporal Randy Payne of Gananoque, served proudly and honourably with the Canadian Army and was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2006. Nancy carries not only the weight of her own loss, but also the grief of so many families who have lost a loved one in defence of Canada. Through her, we remember Randy’s sacrifice and the sacrifices of all who served and fell. We can’t forget them. We must never forget them. We will remember them.”
Arch Deacon Wayne Varley read from the book of Micah – “And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” photo by Lorraine Payette 
L-r, Arch Deacon Wayne Varley, MP Michael Barrett, and Mayor John Beddows photo by Lorraine Payette 
MP Michael Barrett, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, teaching his son about the importance of Remembrance. photo by Lorraine Payette 
Gananoque Poet Laureate Grethchen Huntley reading her poem, “Just One Soldier” photo by Lorraine Payette
After the Gananoque Choir performed the “Hymn of Freedom”, Huntley read out a special poem she had written for the occasion:
Just One Soldier
Have you ever stood in the cemetery?
Where our brave soldiers lie
With your hand on a single stone
As you were passing by
Did you stop and take a moment
As you placed your hand upon that stone
And wonder how this fellow died
And if he died alone
What were his final thoughts?
Did he think of family?
Or was the bullet swift
Did death come instantly?
Was it early morning
Or as the sun set in the sky
Was there a warm breeze
Or was the snow piled high
When he took his last breath
Was he wracked with pain?
Did he die in the sunshine?
Or in the pouring rain
Did he hold a picture?
Tightly in his hand
Thinking of a loved one
In a far off land
Was there a wrinkled letter
Tucked safely near his breast
Were his bloodied hands
Clasped tightly to his chest
Each stone that marks a grave
As they stand row on row
Holds a heart full of secrets
No one will ever know
Thankfully there were men
Who made it back alive
Many badly wounded
But they did survive
And all they ask of us
Is to learn from the past
“Lest we forget “
Is the message that will last
The crowd was hushed as she completed the reading and Gananoque Intermediate and Secondary School students William Chaperon and Cameron Sawicki stepped to the podium to read out the names, ranks and ages of the fallen – 58 from WWI aged 15 to 50; 25 from WWII aged 19 to 46; and one aged 32 from Afghanistan.
The piper from the Queens Bands played the “Last Post” and “Rouse” photo by Lorraine Payette 
MP Michael Barrett laying a wreath for the Government of Canada photo by Lorraine Payette 
Wreathes were laid at thee cenotaph by people of all ages. photo by Lorraine Payette 
Veteran Carl Duff was well wrapped against the unseasonable cold by caring strangers. photo by Lorraine Payette 
Reading out the names of the fallen – l-r, Cameron Sawicki and William Chaperon from Gananoque Intermediate and Secondary School. photo by Lorraine Payette
The service concluded with the singing of “God Save the King”.
Following the ceremony, everyone was invited back to the Branch 92 Legion to indulge in chili, buns and beverages, as well as entertainment by the Queens Bands.
Hardly visible through the steam on the lens, the Ladies Auxiliary provided hot beverages, chili and buns to all who had attended the services photo by Lorraine Payette 
The hall at the Branch 92 Legion filled rapidly with attendees enjoying the hot beverages, chili and buns provided by the Ladies Auxiliary. photo by Lorraine Payette 
Each year, students in local schools are invited to participate in Youth Remembrance Poster and Literary Competitions held by the National and Provincial Royal Canadian Legions. In Gananoque, examples of their work are put up on the walls of the hall for all to see. photo by Lorraine Payette 
A member of the forces stops to admire the work of students in local schools who participated in Youth Remembrance Poster and Literary Competitions. photo by Lorraine Payette 
Some of the black and white art on display at the Branch 92 Royal Canadian Legion in Gananoque. It is part of the work of students in local schools who participated in Youth Remembrance Poster and Literary Competitions. photo by Lorraine Payette 
Some of the poetry on display at the Branch 92 Royal Canadian Legion in Gananoque. It is part of the work of students in local schools who participated in Youth Remembrance Poster and Literary Competitions. photo by Lorraine Payette
If people could look into each other’s eyes
What a wonderful place this world would be
All strife would end, we could start again
And dreams like these must not pass on
But the brave keep falling to honor the names
Of the ones who have gone before
And the earth shall give new life to them
But only the grass will grow once more
(The Leaves of Grass – Gordon Lightfoot)
A Fresh News Start 