Veteran appreciates Lindsay Remembrance Day ceremony
Friday, November 10, 2006 -- Natalie Miller
When Remembrance Day falls, Dan Richmond’s mind inevitably transports him back to July 24, 1943 when he was wounded in action in Sicily during the Second World War.

He remembers his fallen comrades. Those thoughts came back to the Frost Manor resident Wednesday during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Lindsay at Victoria Manor Home For the Aged. The event, which Dan attended with nine of his Frost co-residents, was organized by activity directors at several Lindsay long-term care homes. It was well done, according to Dan.

“We had quite a nice lunch and a ceremony done by Victoria Manor,” he says.

“You have to careful with a ceremony like that or you’ll wind up with everyone in tears.”

“There are a lot of things we as veterans try not to think about but they come flooding back.”

Dan was a member of the Royal Canadian Regiment and served in the army for almost the entire duration of the Second World War. After he was wounded, Dan trained officers in England.

He says the Second World War is an important part of Canadian history that shouldn’t be forgotten. “They should be teaching more in the schools about World War II.”

Dan moved into Frost Manor in June. Vi O’Leary, the home’s life enrichment co-ordinator arranged for a town bus to transport the residents to the neighbouring nursing home. For several years, activity co-ordinators at the various nursing homes in Lindsay have worked together to plan joint outings and trips. They meet on a monthly basis.

“It’s good networking,” says Vi.

For the second year now, the homes have teamed up to host a Remembrance Day ceremony. Each home invited 10 residents to attend the event at Victoria Manor.

“I made sure we took the veterans,” says Vi. The Lindsay long-term care home has three veterans, one was unable to attend. “It’s important especially for the veterans. They were certainly well-praised. They did a nice service.”

Local politicians MPP Laurie Scott and Mayor Barbara Kelly attended and spoke at the event, says Vi. Participants sang ‘O Canada’, observed a moment of silence, sang hymns and listened to the playing of ‘The Last Post’.

For residents who were unable to attend Wednesday’s ceremony because of mobility reasons, Frost is holding its own event Saturday at 2 p.m. at the nursing home on Mary Street West.