In Côte Saint-Luc we held our annual Remembrance Day ceremony at City Hall on November 11.
I remember the days when we had so many veterans of World Wars I and II from our own community in attendance. Sadly those numbers are dwindling. But we were fortunate enough to have with us CSL resident Irving Bernstein, a WWII veteran.
Jean-Marc Dubois from our Public Safety Department served as the master of ceremonies. On hand with us were students from four local elementary schools – Merton, Maimonides, Hebrew Academy and JPPS. Former City Councillor Allan J. Levine, whose late dad was a vet, presides over our Brigadier Kisch Branch #97 and he spent several weeks selling poppies. “I sold 6,000 poppies,” he told me, noting that proceeds go to vets who have fallen upon hard times.
After the bugler and piper began the ceremony, students from the four schools spoke.
“A poppy is also a way to start a conversation,” said a Merton student.
“Remembrance Day is important and we are thankful for everything done for us,” added a JPPS student.
Mayor Mitchell Brownstein said that he remembers when he was a Merton student “and many veterans would come speak to us.”
Mount Royal Liberal MP Anthony Housefather had a message for the students. “The most important lesson that can be taught about today is that when I was a little kid most of us had a grandparent who served in World War I and II,” he said. “There used to be a parade here with hundreds of veterans.”
Alex Copeman spoke on behalf of D’Arcy McGee Liberal MNA Elisabeth Prass. From the clergy, Rabbi Reuben J. Poupko and Father George Joseph spoke.
“After World War II we were optimistic,” said Rabbi Poupko. “We thought the world had learned its lesson. On October 7, Israel learned that you cannot appease those who seek carnage.”
Mayor Brownstein, Housefather, Copeman, Levine and Bernstein and Public Safety Director Philip Chateauvert laid wreaths.
