On a warm, sunny morning (May 28th), families, church members, Legion members and students of the local high school gathered at the Port Elgin Cemetery.
They were there as part of the ‘No Stone Left Alone‘ project to place a hand-painted stone on the graves of veterans.
The concept and mission of the project is “To honour the service and sacrifice of Canada’s military by educating and inspiring youth to place poppies on veterans’ headstones.”
The Colour Party was led in to the ceremony by Piper Steve Wolfe who also played the poignant lone piper’s Lament following the Last Post.
Inez Fenton, who organized the local project, said that, “From the friends at Faith Maple Estates to the students of SDSS who painted the rocks and poppies, to Port Elgin Legion Branch 340, those who researched the names of the veterans, the Cemetery Manager, Piper Steve Wolfe and many others, it has taken a community to bring this project to fruition.”
Some 40 students of Saugeen District Senior School (SDSS), along with four chaperones, recently attended the 80th anniversary of WWII celebrations in Normandy, the Netherlands and at Vimy Ridge and took part in the parades that were held. “It was amazing,” said the students, “and it makes this ceremony today even more meaningful.”
Chaperone and school counsellor, Susan Dauphin agreed that the trip was amazing adding that, “The students were simply spectacular. I think it gave them a great appreciation of the veterans. We saw cemeteries with row upon row of little white crosses that are meticulously cared for today in honour of Canadian soldiers.”
Paisley Legion member Sharon Kelly Hope explained that the ‘No Stone Left Alone’ “… is no small feat and it takes a lot of research. ‘No Stone Left Alone‘ is a national program that has been in progress for 15 years and, in 2024, there were 327 ceremonies that are all now registered on the website. All those veterans located then have ‘veteran status’ and, with the permission of family members, are listed in the Military Service Recognition Book.”
Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau said that it was through the efforts of the veterans that “… we live in a free country today.”
More than 200 stones were then placed at grave sites in Port Elgin in recognition of those veterans who had served.
For larger view, click on image
