Emo Legion hosts Decoration Day

Emo Legion Br. #99 hosted the district Decoration Day banquet last Saturday (May 26).
Branches from Zone 7 were on hand, including host Emo, Fort Frances, Rainy River, Keewatin, Oxdrift, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Red Lake, Hudson, Igance, and Ear Falls.
The parade fell in at the Legion, then marched to Queen Street Manor, where there the Fort Frances Highlanders Pipe Band performed. After this, the parade continued to the cenotaph.
The program began with Comrade Glen Westover give a short address and prayer.
“We are here today to honour the men and women of the allied forces who gave their lives for the cause of freedom, and to give thanks to the people who were lucky enough to have come home through the war,” said Westover.
“We also would like to thank the people who came out to help us celebrate this special occasion,” he added. “Also, we would like to thank the hands that have made this extra possible.”
After having sung “O Canada,” Comrade Gordon Wollard read the names of the fallen. Last Post and Reveille was sounded by trumpeter Jackie Badiuk while her mother, Trudy, held the music sheet.
Sgt.-at-Arms Bill McCready read the names of the following who laid wreaths. They included Jane Allan (Emo), Wayne Baker (Keewatin), Roly Crawford (Fort Frances), Vic Johnson (Oxdrift), Philip Bourre (Rainy River), Morris Frenette (Dryden), Julie Pierce (Sioux Lookout), Dave Hlady (Red Lake), and Roger Oakley (Hudson).
Also laying wreaths were Howard Hampton (Province of Ontario), Russ Fortier (Municipality of Emo), Cecil Wilson (Municipality of Chapple), Bernice Campbell (Silver Cross Mother). Ladies Prov. Auxiliary Council, Anna-Lea Erickson (Ladies’ Provincial Auxiliary Council), and SLt. C. Lavigne (Sea Cadets).
During supper, Reeve Fortier welcomed guests to this special event while Jane Allan introduced those seated at the head table. Knox United Church minister Rev. Frances Flook gave the invocation and benediction.
Allan gave the Toast to the Queen while Chapple Reeve Cecil Wilson did the same to the ladies.
After Hampton addressed the gathering, students Danny Veldhuisen and Judith Hunsperger recited “In Flanders Field” and “Victory Emblem,” respectively.
Once again, Jackie Badiuk sounded the Last Post and Reveille. The gathering the concluded the program with “God Save the Queen,” after which the colours were marched off.