Remembrance Day in Schreiber, Ontario

Remembrance Day 2021 marked a slight return to normal for most residents of Schreiber. Last years event was drastically altered as the country was eight months into the COVID pandemic and all social gatherings had been reduced or eliminated. Traditionally Remembrance Day marks a day of mourning and reflecting on the fallen heroes and the lives affected and lost to war.

In an effort to allow citizens to observe the event in Schreiber the Schreiber Media Centre set up its first live stream session and many viewers had the opportunity to at least feel part of the ceremony. Despite a few technical complications the event was well received and this year the Media Centre was once again asked to participate in facilitating the live stream to those stuck at home and to students in classrooms. It was a markedly different occasion this time around. Finally residents were allowed to gather outside the cenotaph and once again businesses and individuals would be able to partake in the wreath laying ceremony. 

November in the north is normally not for the faint hearted as cold winds blow through the area and temperatures often plummet to below the freezing mark. Looking back on last year, this was also a much milder event with no snow fall and slightly warmer than normal temperatures. Many more people gathered outside this year as well. The usual opening ceremonies took place and were followed by the laying of the wreaths.

Although a sombre occasion there was a general feeling of relief mixed with optimism. Over 100 people could be seen lining the streets and the perimeter of the cenotaph and the feeling that they had all survived the last year was synchronous with the feeling of having lived through a war. At the end of the event people gathered to remove their poppy pins and give thanks for all the sacrifices that had been made not only by the brave soldiers that fought in a world war but to themselves for having gotten to the top of a very long hill in the battle with a virus that had decimated so many.

We shall always remember!