by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative
At the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month, Essex residents surrounded the cenotaph to participate in the annual Remembrance Day ceremony.
The Essex Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 201) hosts this annual event, which begins with a parade from the branch down to the cenotaph. This year’s Remembrance Day event offered live music from the Silver Ambassadors Concert Band and the Sun Parlour Pipes and Drums Band.
“The community of Essex gathers each year to pay homage to thank and remember our past and current veterans. As a strong and very proud community, we can be relied upon to be proud of our Veterans and unashamedly express our pride and gratitude for the sacrifices of our veterans,” Essex Legion Past President, Erroll Caza, said.
In reminding everyone of the importance of Remembrance Day, "We are here for those who left, never to return. We are here for those who have returned, but are never the same. We are here for their families to reflect our gratitude and sincere appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy as a result of their sacrifice. We are here to ensure that their legacy will forever be recognized,” Caza explained.
In 1914, the population of Essex was approximately 1353. When WW1 broke out, 198 of them signed a cheque, up to and including their life.
“Indeed 32 of them had their cheques cashed defending the freedoms for which they fought,” Caza said addressing the many in attendance.
“We are but one small community amongst thousands from coast-to-coast-to-coast who were directly affected by the tragedies of this war,” Caza said of the Canadians who died during WWI.
Between 1939 and 1945, the population of Essex around 2000, “of which 150 to 200 men and women donned the uniform for the fight of freedom. He pointed to the monument that lists the names “of the 44 of Essex’s finest who have paid the ultimate sacrifice during World War 2,” Caza said.
“The town of Essex has always stepped up when the call of duty was needed even to this day,” he added, thanking Joe McLeod of Maidstone for his service in Afghanistan, who was onsite to lay a wreath at the base of the cenotaph.
“Throughout the history of wars in Canada, 116,063 had their respective cheques cashed in the field of battle,” Caza said, adding there are thousands who have perished in training for all these wars and peacetime operations.
Caza thanked Mayor Sherry Bondy and her Council for permitting the Essex Legion to coordinate this Act of Remembrance on the Town’s behalf.