DRIVE-BY PARADE - November 8, 2020
The community of Uxbridge has a rich tradition of remembrance. Our local schools hold respectful and engaging remembrance services; our students and community members participate in Remembrance Tours to places of Canadian wartime significance; our community supports initiatives honouring veterans such as the Honour our Veterans Banner Program, and the installation of statues recognizing the service and sacrifice of local military leaders; and our Legion Branch 170 provides valuable leadership, as they support and advocate for our veterans, and honour and remember their sacrifices .
In 2020, with covid-19 restrictions, our Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph, as it traditionally runs, was cancelled.
But…..even during a worldwide pandemic, it is our duty to remember.
In his famous poem In Flanders Fields, by Lt. Col. John McRae, McRae urges us to “take up the quarrel with the foe…to you from failing hands we throw the torch….be yours to hold it high”.
It is our duty to take up the torch of remembrance and take action in how we remember - even during a global pandemic.
So…thinking outside the box….we invited the community to our Honour our Veteans Drive-By Parade, held on November 8, 2020.
Veterans and current service personnel were gathered (in a socially distanced fashion) at Elgin Park, and the community was invited to come.
And come they did!
Cars were decorated, signs were made……and over 2500 cars came out to honour and thank our veterans; many waiting for hours!
It was a day that our veterans (and community members) will never forget.
