2 centenarians honoured guests at Saint John Remembrance Day ceremonies

Two centenarians were honoured guests as Saint John Remembrance Day ceremonies marked 100 years since the end of World War One.  

George Kelley was the reviewing officer of the ceremony. The 100-year-old fought with the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War. 

Mary Richards was a nurse in the veterans affairs hospital for 30 years. She was born in 1918, before the armistice ending the First World War was signed.

Four of her brothers fought in the Second World War. Two of them never returned.

Two centenarians lay first wreath at Saint John Remembrance Day ceremony

6 years ago

Duration 1:23

George Kelly and Mary Richards, both 100-years-old, laid the first wreath at the Remembrance Day ceremony at Saint John's Harbour Station. Kelly fought in the second world war, and Richards was a nurse who treated veterans of both world wars.

Richards and Kelley placed the first wreath on the cenotaph in the centre of the arena together, while the Combined Remembrance Service choir sang In Flanders Fields.

Saint John Harbour MLA Gerry Lowe and Saint John mayor Don Darling both placed wreaths while the Simonds Lions Caledonian Pipe Band played Amazing Grace.

The remembrance ceremony featured many musical performances, including the playing of the national anthem, trumpet solo The Rouse, and Newfoundland artist Terry Kelly's A Pittance of Time, which master of ceremonies Retired Lt. Bernard Cormier called "a tradition" of the city's remembrance.

'We Remember'

The firing of a cannon outside marked the beginning and ending of the two-minute moment of silence. The poppy-studded crowd inside fell to a hush.

Speeches reminded those present of the meaning of Remembrance Day.

"Our thoughts are about sacrifice, about humanity, and the loss of it," said Cormier.

"But that is not all we think about. We think about joyous reunions, messages of hope and love, we think about rehabilitation and healing."

Cormier spoke of how Canada achieved nation status by signing the treaty after the Second World War separately from the British Empire.

"This nationhood was purchased by the gallant men who stood fast at Ypres, stormed Regina Trench, climbed the heights of Vimy, captured Passchendaele and entered Mons on November 11, 1918," he said.

Cormier remarked on New Brunswick's contribution, not only in men who fought, but those who supported the war effort through nursing or remaining home to work in armament factories.

For those who serve

Other speeches of the day called for acknowledgement of the sacrifice of all those who serve, and their families.

Retired Cpl. Nathan Davis offered the invocation.

"We remember the mothers and fathers, wives and husbands, parents and children who said goodbye, not knowing it was the last time," he said.

"We pray for those who return with broken bodies, minds and spirits."

Rev. Gregory L. McMullin delivered a prayer for the fallen, and for those "forever changed by what they had seen."

"Help us to remember that peace will never truly come from rifle fire," he said.

"May the remembering we have done here today reawaken and strengthen our resolve to labour for peace."

Rev. Michael Caines, a captain, encouraged the crowd to applaud in support of police and RCMP officers who also make sacrifices for the public.

"These are not easy days to be a police officer. Just a few years ago we know it was not easy to be a police officer in the city of Moncton. And we know that this year it was not easy to be a police officer in the city of Fredericton," he said.

The ceremony ended with a march past the cenotaph on the arena floor where attendees were encouraged to lay their poppies. 

"To have two people born the year the armistice was signed here today made it very special," said master of ceremonies Cormier during his closing remarks.

"Maybe they'll join us again next year."