Six homes organize common Remembrance Day ceremony Wednesday, November 9, 2005 -- Natalie Miller
Tears. Smiles. Proud faces. Silence.

Emotions were intense at a Remembrance Day ceremony yesterday for about 70 veterans who now reside in long-term care and retirement homes in Lindsay. The activity directors at Caressant Care McLaughlin, Caressant Care Mary Street, Frost Manor, Victoria Manor, Extendicare Lindsay and 140 Residence on Williams organized a joint ceremony at Victoria Manor for men and women who fought in the Second World War.

“This activity was planned to get all the veterans together for a special service,” says Pat Haringa, activity director at Caressant Care McLaughlin.

With 2005 being ‘The Year of the Veteran’, the activity directors wanted to organize a collaborative ceremony in their honour. “We saw the need. Let them remember about how they got their medals.”

Staff from the six homes shared the responsibility to organize transportation, notify family members and involve members of their local Legion. Each of the residents was given a special pin from Veterans’ Affairs and a ribbon from the Legion. The 30-minute service was complete with the sounds of a bugle and bagpipes. Donning poppies, residents and participants were reflective – “some with tears, some with smiles, some were very proud and some very quiet,” Pat says.

Dignitaries, including the local MPP and MP, attended the event, which was followed by a lunch.

Usually the homes organize their own ceremonies for Remembrance Day and many still will on Friday, says Pat. At Caressant Care McLaughlin, that ceremony will include music and readings by residents.