Members of the Hastings & Prince Edward Regiment donned 1945 era wool uniforms at Tuesday’s ceremony in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. (Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We shall remember them
Laurence Binyon’s 1914 poem For The Fallen, first published in The Times and since adopted by the Royal Canadian Legion as part of their prayer of remembrance, doesn’t specifically mention solemnly honouring Allied war dead in biting winds and bone chilling temperatures.
But that was the scene that played out in 2025 in Prince Edward County. For the first time in recent memory, Remembrance Day took place with a fresh blanket of snow on the ground and a steady westerly wind nipping at the faces of hundreds of local residents. Legion Branches in Picton, Wellington and Consecon hosted ceremonies on Tuesday to honour brave Canadian men and women who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
It was an especially strong turnout in Picton where selected members of the fabled Hastings & Prince Edward Regiment donned authentic 1945 garb to commemorate both the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Hasty P’s and the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Most if not all of those Hasty P’s members would have returned to the Regiment’s ancestral home at the Picton Armoury in late 1945.
Warrant Officer Jonathon Bradshaw said the authentic wool uniforms were serving the active Hasty P’s well on such a cold day.
Other Hasty P’s members kept vigil at the corners of the Cenotaph while RCL Branch 78 President Dianne Kennedy and Padre Brian Nicholson officiated the ceremony before about 200 attendees including elementary school children from Prince Edward Collegiate Institute.
“On November 11, we gather to commemorate the bravery of every Canadian who has served, and those who continue to serve our country in times of war, military conflict, and peace.”
“Through many wars and conflicts, brave Canadians have made unimaginable sacrifices-leaving behind their families, homes, and dreams— to protect the values and freedoms that make our country what it is today. Their courage and selflessness allow us, and generations yet to come, to live in peace.”
“Today, we pause to remember and honour those who sacrificed their lives to protect our future, to ensure that we continue to live in freedom and peace. We come together to observe two minutes of silence in honour of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to ensure that their stories are passed on to future generations,” she said.
Local trumpeter Kevin Gannon played The Last Post and The Rouse. PECI Grade 8 student Ella Willy came forward to read The Act of Remembrance and the Commitment to Remember.
Mayor Steve Ferguson said the ceremony in Picton and thousands like them across Canada honoured the generations of Canadians who have served with courage and conviction.
“This year marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War, when over 1 million Canadians served and more than 45,000 gave their lives, among them, thousands of indigenous veterans,” the Mayor said. “From Vimy Ridge to Kandahar, Canadian veterans have defended peace and freedom across continents. When the battles ended, they came home to help build the country they fought to protect. Let us remember their stories, honour their legacy, and uphold the freedom they secured. Lest we forget.”
Over two dozen memorial wreaths were laid in tribute to Prince Edward County veterans including Dieppe veteran Russ Burrows and Special Forces member George Wright.
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