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We will remember them.

“We remember because this peace that we enjoy today cost us too much.”
said Rev. Marcel Archambault during a Remembrance Day Service on November 11, 2016 at the Veteran’s Community Hall.
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Following the March to the cenotaph, Veternas place wreaths to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.

As the violin softly played various groups and organizations placed wreaths at the front of the hall.

“I want to focus on peace.” said Rev. Archambault. Referencing the phrase in John McCrae’s well known poem In Flanders Fields, “To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high.” he asked the question, “How well are we safeguarding the peace our soldiers and peacekeepers gave their lives for and where does our hope of peace dwell?”

He observed that we live in a time where war rages in many parts of the world, where there are more people displaced by war today than there were following either the first or the second world war. Although human nature always seems to find reasons for conflict, he believes that peace and hope are inextricably linked and that where there is hope, there is the possibility of peace.

Rev. Archambault encouraged bringing hope through individual acts of kindness, conversations of understanding, welcoming acts that show acceptance and respect and providing the necessities of food, clothing, shelter and safety. He explained that the more acts of hope, the closer we come to justice and equality and that the more justice and equality become a distinguishing mark of our society, the less conflict there is. The less conflict, the less desire for war, the fewer deaths and the fewer veterans.

“So to honor those who died and those who fought for our freedom, we need to soldier on in acts of hope and justice and peace.” he said in conclusion, “It is in my opinion that the torch is in good hands, but let us never forget to hold it high.”