The start of the first snowfall of the season marked Remembrance ceremonies in Champlain Township over the weekend.

At the 11 o’clock start of the Sunday morning ceremony at the Cenotaph in L’Orignal Park, a few flakes of snow began to drift down out of the grey overcast sky. Later in the afternoon, at Vankleek Hill’s Memorial Park, wet snow was falling and starting to coat the ground.

In his speech, Champlain Township Mayor Normand Riopel noted that the Remembrance events that take place, whether on Remembrance Day November 11 itself or as part of weekend events in advance of November 11, are not just about honouring the dead of past wars.

“Remembrance is not only about the past,” said Mayor Riopel. “It is about those who continue to serve.”

He noted that Canada’s armed forces continue to serve the country alongside first responders in emergency services like fire departments, ambulance units, and police departments, medical and nursing professionals, and volunteer groups that dedicate themselves to serving their communities.

“We honour those who give so much so that we may live in peace,” he said.