Roughly 100 people gathered at the Canadian Naval Ships Memorial Monument in Spencer Smith Park this morning to pay tribute to the area's Naval veterans.
"We are mindful that the primary reason they all went to war was to defend our freedom and to preserve the values that we in Canada have shared for almost two centuries," said Burl-Oak Naval Veterans chairman Fred Norman as he welcomed those paying their respects. "They rest in peace because our country is free."
The ceremony was solemn and poignant as segments of the poems In Flanders Fields and Laurence Binyon's For the Fallen were read out as well as the Naval Remembrance: "On all oceans, white caps flow, we do not see crosses row on row: But you who sleep beneath the sea, rest in peace for our country's free."
Wreaths were laid at the monument by federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Karina Gould, MPP Natalie Pierre and Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward as well representatives from the Royal Canadian Navy, Burl-Oak Naval Veterans, Halton Naval Veterans Association, Korean Veterans, Merchant Navy, Access Abilities and the Burlington Conservative Association.
LCdr/Capc Michael Di Berardo was on hand as the Reviewing Officer for the March on the Colours, under Parade Commander Mike Vencel.
"We are gathered here today to remember those who lost their lives in World War Two, which provided us the freedoms we enjoy today," LCdr Di Berardo said. "This memorial monument was dedicated to the memory of 31 warships, over 2,000 Naval personnel of the Royal Canadian Navy, 75 merchant ships and over 1,400 merchant shipmen of the Canadian Merchant Navy, who were lost during World War Two.
"I would like to thank those veterans who are with us today and of course those who could not be here, for their courage and dedication to the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadians in general. Their sacrifices contributed to our freedom and way of life."
After the service, the naval men gathered under the monument to pay tribute to their lost comrades in the traditional way - with a tot of Pusser's Navy rum.
"To absent friends," was the toast.
