Peter L. Smith
The Municipality of L’Isle-aux-Allumettes held their annual Remembrance Day ceremony November 5 in St. Joseph. Parish Priest Rev. Scott Murray celebrated mass in St. Joseph Church prior to the ceremony. A crowd of over 80 people then gathered at the cenotaph for the ceremony led by Councillor Mariette Sallafranque. Trumpeter Jessica Nilsson played The Last Post and Reveille.
Addresses were given by Mayor Corey Spence, MRC Pontiac Warden Jane Toller and Pontiac Legion President Ron Woodstock. Veteran Robert Chafe performed a reading. Corporal Paul Gagnon, an aircraft structure technician with the 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron at CFB Petawawa, paid tribute to two military pilots, Captain David Domagala and Captain Marc Larouche, who lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Petawawa this past June. Donna Tierney, a resident of St. Joseph, led the crowd in prayer and a young girl, Leona Chafe, recited In Flanders Fields.
Many wreaths were laid by local politicians, military members, volunteer organization representatives, Knights of Columbus, the Pontiac Legion, and children from the local communities.
The Chapeau and District Lions Club served up a pancake breakfast at St. Joseph Centre for Families and Seniors after the ceremony.
