We all know someone who, in some way, has served our country. It could be a grandparent, it could be a friend, it could even be yourself. Being a veteran does not stop at the World Wars. Today, there are members of our community volunteering their lives, both locally and overseas, to protect our country, our people, and ensure a future.
There was a brief period of time in World War I and World War II when members of our military were called up to serve our country. However, Canada has a long history of apprehension when it comes to compulsory military service. Drafting of our military ended after the Second World War. Beyond that, all men and women who have served and continue to serve our country, choose to enter the Canadian Armed Forces.
Robert Thomas of Waterdown is one of those who chose to enroll in our nation’s military. In 1958 at just age 15, Rob went down to the Canadian Army Service Corps to enroll himself in the military. It was then that he began providing transport capability in Quebec. From there, he went into motorcycle training and began providing motorcade. He joined the military police in 1960, and in 1964, Rob went to Cyprus. He also spent one year in the Sinai Desert.
Years later, at 76, Rob continues to serve Canada. He attends schools, educating our youth on our military history, sits on the Military History Committee, proudly leads the Warrior State parade, and takes part in Remembrance Day ceremonies every year.
Armistice Day, which was inaugurated in 1919, did not reflect the November 11th we know today. Held in correlation with Thanksgiving, Canadians observed the date with little public demonstration for our veterans. In 1928, some prominent citizens, many of them veterans, pushed for greater recognition and separating the remembrance of wartime sacrifice from the Thanksgiving holiday.
In 1931, the Federal government decreed that the newly named Remembrance Day would be held on November 11th, and Thanksgiving would be moved to another day in October.
Every year around our nation, veterans, dignitaries, and members of the Canadian public gather to emphasize the memory of fallen soldiers and recall those who served in our nation’s defence.
This year, Remembrance Day takes place on a Sunday, with 2018 marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. The events are expected to be memorable this year, and there are many opportunities to honour our veterans at ceremonies across Hamilton.
Rob says, “we owe a great deal to the men and women who have served our country. Canada has made a major contribution in working towards peace in our world.”
You can take part in a Remembrance Ceremony at one of these locations:
Remembrance Day Event
November 11, 2018
10:30 a.m.
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
9280 Airport Rd, Mount Hope
Ancaster Remembrance Day Service
November 11, 2018
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Ancaster Old Town Hall
310 Wilson Street East, Ancaster
Dundas Remembrance Day Parade and Service
November 11, 2018
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Dundas Cenotaph at the Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre
10 Market Street South, Dundas
Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 163 Remembrance Day Service
November 11, 2018
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 163
435 Limeridge Road East, Hamilton
Stoney Creek Remembrance Day Parade and Service
November 11, 2018
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Stoney Creek Cenotaph
King Street & Highway 8, Hamilton
Hamilton Remembrance Day Service and Parade
November 11, 2018
10:45 am to 12:45 pm
Veterans’ Place at Gore Park
64 King Street East, Hamilton
Waterdown Remembrance Day Service
November 11, 2018
10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Royal Canadian Legion – Waterdown Branch 55
79 Hamilton Street North, Waterdown
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we remember.
