For more years than anyone can seem to remember, veterans, politicians and locals have gathered at Lakeview Memorial Cemetery to mark the anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe on May 8. There were fewer people in attendance this past May after two years of cancelled services and a mix-up with the start time.
One impatient woman disrupted the ceremony when she decided to drive on the grass, over a number of gravestones, to get around the crowd.
Royal Canadian Legion branch 26 hosted the V.E. Day ceremony, led by the branch’s first female president, Darlene McCaffery.
McCaffery said the day is a personal one for her as her husband and many other family members are veterans.
“I can’t say how much it means to me to be at the Legion and to work for veterans and to try to have them recognized for what they actually go through and what they went through.”
An RCMP helicopter flew overhead, the national anthem was sung, and a bugle and bagpipes were played during the ceremony.
McCaffery said just as Canadians get to mark the anniversary of the end of a major war, she hopes any conflict elsewhere in the world ends soon.
“This day means a lot to the World War II veterans. I’m hoping that Ukraine soon can have their day, that they can mark with a day of remembrance that it’s over.”
Following the ceremony, attendees were invited to socialize and enjoy a BBQ lunch.
Mini Canadian flags were aso placed on graves around the cemetery to identify veterans.