November 2012 Rockwood Cenotaph Rededicated
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Groundbreaking news Cuba and Niagara… another step together Scan St. Luke's Palermo turns the Report on the recent Niagara to access sod for church and seniors Partners in Mission visit the latest diocesan facility to Cuba news Page 3 Page 9 A section of the Anglican Journal A Gathering Place and a Sounding Board for the People of the Diocese of Niagara NOVEMBER 2012 Rockwood Cenotaph rededicated FRANCES LEARMENT AND First World War. The Committee HOLLIS HISCOCK recommended that the area be maintained in perpetuity by remembering sacrifice... On Wednesday, August 29, the municipality. The following 2012, ninety-three years to the day, the Incumbent and Church day after Rockwood formally Wardens gave their permission honoured those who did not and Bishop William Reid Clark the sacrifice continues come home from The First World of Niagara gave his consent, War with the dedication of a provided that the municipal ROB FEAD families as they prepared to go endured, are now beginning to Cenotaph – literally an empty Council passed a formal resolu- to war in Afghanistan, to offer share their experiences of war, tomb – the community gathered tion to keep the plot of land Every year at the eleventh comfort and encouragement for fear that as their generation once again to rededicate the properly fenced off and kept in hour on the eleventh day of to the wounded and to journey passes away, their stories will be refurbished Cenotaph, located proper condition for the purpose the eleventh month we pause with families when their loved lost. After each of these encoun- on St. John’s Church property, for which it was intended. The to remember those who have ones made the ultimate sacrifice ters it is easy to recognize that Rockwood. Municipal council agreed and made the ultimate sacrifice in on the battlefield. There were the physical and psychological On July 28, 1919, accord- the official dedication of the past and present conflicts. We numerous “Next of Kin” noti- effects of war endure a lifetime! ing to church member Bob Cenotaph was held in September remember the terrible human fications, trips to Trenton for Each generation seems to experi- McKend, the Soldiers Memorial with Bishop Clark officiating. cost of war on both sides of the repatriation ceremonies, military ence its own unique horrors Committee of the Township of During the summer of 2012, battlefield, but in a particular funerals and hospital visits to of war. During the First World Eramosa approached the author- the Township continued its way the sacrifices made by our the wounded. Now that the War it was trench warfare and ities of St John's Rockwood to commitment to maintain the fellow Canadians. The numbers “combat” part of the Canadian mustard gas, the Second World erect, on the south east corner of site with a significant renewal of Canadians that have paid the mission in Afghanistan has War had the atomic bomb and the Church property, a Memorial ultimate price are astounding: concluded, my primary respon- concentration camps, and today to those who had fallen in the —See CENOTAPH Page 2 in WWI more than 66,000; sibility is to support those who in Afghanistan we have impro- in WWII over 47,000; 516 in have returned from war suffering vised explosive devices, suicide the Korean conflict and 158 in from physical, mental, emotional bombers and an enemy that is Afghanistan to date. We also and spiritual wounds. Each time very difficult to distinguish from remember the countless number I speak with a soldier suffer- the civilian population. We of soldiers that were wounded, ing from Post Traumatic Stress have a great deal of work to do both physically and mentally. Disorder (PTSD) I am reminded in order to create a world where All this serves as a reminder that of the ongoing negative effects we can all live in peace, love and even though war is always an of war. The “combat” part of our unity. evil, it continues to be an unfor- mission in Afghanistan may be I believe that the best way to tunate reality in our troubled over but the war continues in the honour the sacrifices of these world. hearts, minds and memories of brave men and women is not I began my ministry as a many of our soldiers. only to take a moment of silence Chaplain in the Canadian Forces I have noticed in recent years to remember, but also to con- Reserves in 2004. At that time that many of our World War II sciously work to make our world my primary mission was to veterans, who rarely shared the Rededication ceremony 2012 Photo: Janice Sheppard support our troops and their horror of the experiences they —See REMEMBERING Page 2 2 NOVEMBER 2012 | For the latest news and events visit niagara.anglican.ca Cenotaph rededication in Rockwood CONT'D FROM PAGE 1 Forces have willingly stood in harm’s way in the face of oppres- project, including upgrading sion and tyranny to protect the ramps and walkways to improve values that we as Canadians accessibility and changes to the cherish – freedom, democracy landscaping to provide a serene and the rule of law,” Chong said, place of remembrance. ending with “Lest We Forget.” The solemn rededication Guelph/Eramosa Township ceremony began with a Guelph Mayor Chris White called the Legion Colour Party march- Cenotaph the “centre” and ing to the now totally acces- “heart” of the community, which sible Cenotaph at the corner does not have a Royal Canadian of Church and Guelph Streets. Legion branch. White explained A mass choir from St. John’s how on the Saturday before Anglican, Sacred Heart Roman November 11, the Guelph Catholic, St. Peter’s Mission Legion leads a Remembrance Ostic and Rockwood United Day ceremony. Churches led the crowd of over The old site was a “bit of a 100 in O Canada and a hymn, hazard” during ceremonies – before the scripture reading “you had to take your life into 1919 dedication of Rockwood's cenotaph Photo: St. John's Rockwood by the Reverend Owen Ash of your own hands trying to lay a St. John’s Church. wreath,” he said, noting the site Speaking of Canada’s sched- Lament, Reveille and an Act of Township, Veterans Affairs Wellington-Halton Hills MP is now wide open to the street uled pull out of Afghanistan, Remembrance, the 24 names of Canada Community War Michael Chong told the crowd without any barriers, there’s Boreczek said he knows the Eramosa’s war dead were read, Memorial Program, and Drexler the Memorial Program helps more seating, new steps and “tears we shed, the blood we and wreaths were placed at the Construction Limited. Canada to “remember and landscaping. spilled and the treasures spent front of the new Cenotaph. Frances Learment is a reporter and restore the legacy of those who Sergeant Martin Boreczek of have not been in vain,” and the After the colour party Editor with The New Tanner Acton. came before us and who sacri- the Lorne Scots Regiment, who names of the 158 Canadians departed, the Township hosted EMAIL: [email protected] ficed so much.” did two tours in Afghanistan, killed in the past 10 years will a reception in the St. John’s Hollis Hiscock is Editor of the “Our great country was built said they were gathered to join the names honoured on Church Hall. Niagara Anglican. We thank by ordinary men and women reflect and develop the collective Cenotaphs across the country. The cost of the Cenotaph Frances for sharing her talents. who did extraordinary things. memory of all who fought for Following the Last Post, two refurbishment was shared The members of Canada’s Armed Canada. minutes silence, the Piper’s among the Guelph/Eramosa Remembering sacrifice... Remembrance and peacemaking CONT'D FROM PAGE 1 TERRY GILLIN announced a new “Canada First” defence strategy. Building up a more just and peaceful place For Christians Remembrance to this policy statement, the for all to live. This task may seem Day falls in the context of All Canadian military budget has overwhelming, but I remember Saints Day. Each November been steadily increasing since as a child we would often sing 11th we pause to remember and 1999. Canadian military spend- a song in church that had the pray for members of the armed ing grew 45% between 1996 words “Let there be peace on forces who have died in the line and 2009. Based on Treasury earth and let it begin with me.” of duty. We also recall the virtues Board figures, Canada’s military Peace needs to start within us, of all who have served our budget for 2010–11 was $21.8 in our homes, our schools, our country—their honour, courage, billion, our largest budget since places of work and in every area loyalty and sacrifice. We see their World War II. This policy change of our lives. It needs to begin Rob Fead Photo: Veronica Fead sacrifice bound with the sacrifice Terry Gillin has happened without much with you and me! of Jesus crucified and united public debate. As we spend more The prophet Isaiah tells of a soldier or a seasoned veteran, with the lives of saints. Each military personnel have served for military purposes, there future world where “God shall take a moment to say “thank November, remembering friends in UN peacekeeping operations are accompanying costs of our judge between the nations, and you.” Remember our deployed who served, I am deeply affected since 1947. Lester B. Pearson increased military engagement shall arbitrate for many peoples; men and women in uniform and by the sacrifice that they made.