Category Archives: Military

Gananoque Remembers the Fallen

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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)

The cenotaph Honour Guard was provided by the 21 Electonic Warfare Regiment/212th Squadron. photo by Lorraine Payette

(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. 

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Legion Levée starts 2025 in style

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  • About 40 people came out to celebrate the New Year at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Anne Parker, First Vice President of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92, emceed at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • The colour party performed the dip during the Last Post at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke (Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands) spoke at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Mayor John Beddows (Town of Gananoque) spoke at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Branch 92 President Bob Howard spoke at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Kate Lasher, Ladies Auxiliary first vice president, presented a cheque in the amount of $7,000 to Branch 92 President Bob Howard at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • L-r, 2025 Legionnaire of the Year is Alfred Read received a plaque in his honour from Branch 92 President Bob Howard at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • 2025 Legionnaire of the Year is Alfred Read thanked everyone for the honour at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Cliff Edwards spoke on behalf of the Gananoque Seniors Association as the Honoree of The Year at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • L-r, Cliff Edwards of the Gananoque Seniors Association accepted a plaque and cheque for $1,000 on their behalf from Branch 92 President Bob Howard at the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • At the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée Branch 92 President Bob Howard presented a cheque in the amount of $500 to Bunny Randal to be presented to the Wheels of Care. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • At the Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion annual Levée Branch 92 President Bob Howard presented a cheque in the amount of $500 to Linda Beaupré on behalf of the Gananoque Food Bank. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network

(Gananoque, ON – January 2, 2025) In Gananoque, Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion brought in the new year with about 40 people in attendance for its annual Levée. A time-honoured tradition, the much-anticipated annual Levée in Gananoque (from the French “lever”, meaning “to raise”) has brought greetings and good wishes to residents, and honours to a few outstanding members of society since 1927.

This year’s dignitaries in attendance included Gananoque Mayor John Beddows, Leeds and Thousand Islands (TLTI) Mayor Karina Smith-Gatcke, Branch 92 president Bob Howard and his wife Shirley (branch secretary/treasurer), and Ladies Auxiliary First Vice President Kate Lasher. Unable to attend due to prior commitments were MP Michael Barrett and MPP Steve Clark, both of Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.

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Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 Ladies Auxiliary celebrates 80th anniversary

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  • Legion Ladies Auxiliary Zone Commander Laura Blair received a bouquet from emcee Sheri Godfrey at the 80th anniversary celebrations for the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Piper Tristan Perry of the Princess of Wales Own Regiment Foundation performed official duties at the 80th anniversary celebrations for the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • LA President Shirley Walker spoke at the 80th anniversary celebrations for the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Gananoque Mayor John Beddows received a bouquet from emcee Sheri Godfrey at the 80th anniversary celebrations for the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • LA members (l-r) Sheila Kenny, Donna Johnson, Bev Miller and Fay Johnston handed out awards at the 80th anniversary celebrations for the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Dorothy Jocko (left) received her 30-year pin from Comrade Bev Miller at the 80th anniversary celebrations for the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network
  • Lenore Brennan (left) received her 30-year pin from Comrade Bev Miller at the 80th anniversary celebrations for the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. Lorraine Payette/for Postmedia Network

With all aplomb and proper flourish, the Ladies’ Auxiliary (LA) of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 celebrated their 80th anniversary recently with a formal dinner at the branch in Gananoque. From members of the LA to dignitaries, 80 guests enjoyed a dinner prepared by the branch and served by members and volunteers.

“The Ladies’ Auxiliary is a non-profit organization operated separately from the Royal Canadian Legin, but together they thrive,” said Sheri Godfrey, emcee. “The Ladies’ Auxiliary originated during the First World War when women were asked to help wounded veterans returning home and to provide supports for their families. When the Royal Canadian Legion was established in 1926, these women were a welcomed addition at Legion branches as they continued the tradition of volunteering to support needy ex-service personnel, and to enrich the programs and activities of the branch.

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Highway of Heroes Brings another Canadian Soldier Home

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Thousands gathered on overpasses along the Highway of Heroes to pay homage and show their support

by Lorraine Payette, written October 25, 2014

Thousands of people came out on Friday, October 23, to pay homage as the body of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was brought home from Ottawa to Hamilton. Local overpasses on the 401 bled with Canadian colours as the procession wound its way respectfully along the Highway of Heroes, preparing to lay another Canadian soldier to rest.

Corporal Cirillo, age 24, was killed in Ottawa at the National War Memorial on Wednesday, October 22, by a gunman linked to the terror group ISIS. Only two days previously, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, age 52, was killed after being intentionally run down in a parking lot in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.

Neither soldier was armed at the time he was attacked. – to read more>

MPP Clark Provides Book of Condolence for Cpl. Nathan Cirillo

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Book of Condolence for Corporal Nathan Cirillo

Book of Condolence for Corporal Nathan Cirillo

by Michael Jiggins, Executive Assistant to Steve Clark, MPP, Leeds-Grenville written October 24, 2-14

( BROCKVILLE ) – Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark has set up a Book of Condolence for Corporal Nathan Cirillo at his constituency office, Suite 101, 100 Strowger Boulevard in Brockville.

Cpl. Cirillo, a reservist with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders regiment based in Hamilton , was gunned down Wednesday while guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Parliament Hill.

Clark said he wanted to give residents of Leeds-Grenville an opportunity to pay their respects to Cpl. Cirillo and honour the bravery of the young father, who leaves behind a six-year-old son. Continue reading →

Waiting for the Parade a Triumph for Those Who Stayed Behind

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by Lorraine Payette, written September 10, 2014

“They also serve who only stand and wait.”
– John Milton

Whether rolling bandages, practicing for possible blackouts, or trying out leg make-up to substitute for impossible to come by silk stockings, the women who stayed behind while their men went to war always had a lot to do. And those whose men stayed home also felt a fierce duty to help in any way they could.

Waiting for the Parade chronicles the time spent by five women, each waiting in her own way for the war to end. One has sent two sons overseas, one a husband. Two have husbands who have stayed at home – one simply through no wish to enlist, the other to continue his job as a radio announcer reporting the daily news. The last is in perhaps the least enviable position of all – a German immigrant whose father has been placed in an internment camp on suspicion of being a Nazi sympathizer. – to read more>

Gananoque Gathers in Remembrance of All Who Served

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Faces of All Ages Came Out to Pay Tribute

By Lorraine Payette, written November 13, 2013

(GANANOQUE, ONTARIO) The rain fell like icy tears, splattering camera lenses and chilling participants as Gananoque gathered in Town Park on November 11 to celebrate Remembrance Day. – to read more>

492 Military Police Army Cadets Well Into a Successful Year

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by Lorraine Payette, written October 8, 2013

(GANANOQUE, ON) – The 492 Military Police Army Cadets in Gananoque are in full swing after having held a very successful Recruitment Barbecue on September 11. Now that the excitement of joining up, the fun of seeing your friends join, too, is over, it’s time for the work to begin.

Kate Andrews, formerly known as CWO Andrews, assisted with training through most of the month of September as a civilian volunteer. – to read more>

PGA TOUR Canada announces the Forces and Families Open

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PGA Tour Canada – Hylands Golf Club in Ottawa to host PGA TOUR Canada event in 2014

(September 26, 2013 – Ottawa, ON) – PGA TOUR Canada announced Thursday that it will be coming to the National Capital Region in 2014 with the Forces and Families Open in Ottawa.

The Forces and Families Open, which will support the Military Families Fund, will take place August 4-10, 2014 at Hylands Golf Club in Ottawa, Ontario. Forces and Families, a volunteer organization founded in 2007 that supports the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families, will serve as the host organization for the tournament. – to read more>

492 Military Police Army Cadets Hosting Registration and Barbecue

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492 Military Police Army Cadets

492 Military Police Army Cadets

by Lorraine Payette, written on September 5, 2013

(GANANOQUE, ONTARIO) The Number 492 Military Police Canadian Army Cadet Corps is hosting a free barbecue at its annual registration being held on Wednesday, September 11, starting at 6:30 p.m. The event takes place at the Lou Jeffries Recreation Centre on King Street East in Gananoque. The program is for kids between the ages of 12 and 18. A birth certificate and OHIP card are needed for registration.

Police and Provost services have existed in many of the world’s armies since the time of Augustus Caesar (27 BC – 14 AD) or earlier. While relatively new to the Canadian Army, they were used to assist in managing the large armies that existed at that time, helping to keep order and deliver dispatches. The Canadian Military Police Corps came about during World War I in October of 1917, and were connected with the RCMP. Time passed, and in 1963 it was decided to amalgamate the Royal Canadian Navy (Shore Patrol), the Army (Provost Corps) and the Royal Canadian Air Force Police. These units came together to be the Military Police Branch. – to read more>