More than 100 people gathered in Tecumseh on Saturday to take part in a Remembrance Day ceremony in honour of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
A parade left the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 261 on Lesperance Rd. and made its way to town hall for a ceremony where veterans were encouraged to speak to the younger members of the crowd.
Legion President David Walsh says honouring veterans should be a year-round practice but the coming week is the time to get that across to Canada's youth.
"It's something the children need to hear," says Walsh. "They hear it once a year, but unfortunately it's not something they're really mindful of the rest of the year."
Children in attendance for a Remembrance Day ceremony at Tecumseh's town hall Saturday Novermber 5, 2017. (Photo by AM800's Teresinah Medeiros)
He tells AM800 News events that get veterans together with kids are the best way to demonstrate the importance of remembering sacrifice.
"When they speak, children hear it. It gives them an insight into what did happen," says Walsh. "They come up and talk to the veterans after and I'm sure what I've seen in the past they get the point."
Jacob Altenhof attended the parade. The 13-year-old A. V. Graham Public School student says Remembrance Day events have taught him to be mindful of veterans.
"It teaches us to respect the veterans and shows us to respect all the people that have passed away fighting for our country," says Altenhof.
Tecumseh's ceremony is one of six-events throughout Windsor-Essex held on Saturday, leading up to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11.
— with files from AM800's Teresinha Medeiros.
.@TownofTecumseh Remembrance Day parade and service begins. #LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/jfoP9021hV
— Teresinha Medeiros (@tmedeiros800) November 4, 2017