The first major snowfall of the year didn’t stop hundreds of people from attending local Remembrance Day ceremonies in Orléans, Cumberland Village and Navan on Tuesday.
By far the largest ceremony was held in front of the cenotaph at the Orléans Legion on Taylor Creek Drive were more than 400 people gathered, including local dignitaries, members of the 632 Phoenix Air Cadets, the 3018 Orléans Army Cadets, and the RCMP Pipes & Drums.
This year’s ceremony was held against a back drop of thousands of poppies that have been knitted and crocheted from yarn over the past six months by members of the public and community groups such as the Busy Fingers knitting club. A third of the more than 11,000 donated poppies were painstakingly tied to a large cargo net by volunteers and hung behind the cenotaph, while the remaining poppies were tied two other cargo nets hung both outside and inside the Legion.
Among the dignitaries who laid wreaths during the Orléans ceremony was Orléans East - Cumberland city councillor Matt Luloff who did combat duty in Afghanistan in 2008, while serving in the military from 2006-2009.
Luloff was joined in laying the wreath on behalf of the City of Ottawa by Orléans West - Innes city coundillor Laura Dudas and Beacon Hill, Cyrville city councillor Tim Tierney. Orléans South - Navan city councillort Catherine Kitts attended the Remembrance Day ceremony in Navan.
Orléans MP Marie-France Lalonde and MPP Stephen Blais also laid wreaths at the Orléans cenotaph on behalf of the Govern-ment of Canada and the Liberal Party of Ontario respectively.
The most poignant part of the ceremony was the playing of “The Last Post” by a bugler from the RCMP band followed by the “Lament” played on the bagpipes by another band member.
The ceremony also included a roll call of the names of the Legion members who have passed away during the past year.
Following the official part of the ceremony, people lined up to pay their respects at the cenotaph and lay their poppies on the base of the statue, as has become tradition.
A short reception was held in the Legion afterwards with sandwiches, snacks and coffee being offered to members of the public.
Remembrance Day ceremonies were also held at the cenotaph in Cumberland Village and the Navan cenotaph next to the Navan Memorial Arena.
Both ceremonies included a roll call of the members from each respective community who paid the ultimately sacrifice in serving their country and who we honour at this time every year..
ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY 11 a.m. at the Orléans Cenotaph beside the Orléans Legion Branch 632, 800 Taylor Creek Drive. Sandwiches and desserts following the ceremony inside the Legion.
OYSTER NIGHT every Wednesday from 6-9 pm at the Orléans Brewing Co. Two types of oysters served with lemon, Tobasco, horseradish, salt and mignonette. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd., next to McDonalds.
SDBC TAPROOM CONCERT SERIES presents East Coast Experience live and in concert from 7 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Advance tickets $25 available at 
CRAFT AND BAKE SALE from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.at the Hobbs Seniors Club, 109 Larch Cres. (off Champlain Street).
