Thousands attended Cloverdale’s Remembrance Day ceremony.
Throngs of people sat in portable grandstands and lined the perimeter around the Cloverdale Cenotaph in Veterans’ Square Nov. 11 to pay their respects to the men and women who served their country and those who lost their lives in the service of their country.
Veterans’ Square hosted the largest of several ceremonies in Surrey, with others being held at Surrey Centre Cemetery, the Whalley Cenotaph, and the Royal Canadian Legion, Crescent Branch.
Richmond “Dick” Deck, 102, laid a wreath at the cenotaph on behalf of all prisoners of war. It was the third year in a row laying a wreath in Cloverdale for the centenarian.
Deck, a World War II airmen and former POW, told the Cloverdale Reporter last year he’s planning on laying wreaths for years to come.
SEE ALSO: Former POW Richmond Deck spent several months in German prison camps
Silver Cross Mother Sian LeSueur also laid a wreath at the cenotaph on behalf of all Silver Cross Mothers across Canada.
Mothers who have lost a child in service to Canada receive the Silver Cross. LeSueur lost her son, Garrett William Chidley, in Afghanistan in 2010. Since 2018, this includes soldiers who’ve taken their own lives after suffering from PTSD.
Mayor Mayor Brenda Locke also laid a wreath as did other local politicians and dignitaries.
“It was my privilege to stand with fellow Canadians to pay tribute to the bravery, service, and sacrifices of those who have served our country,” Mayor Brenda Locke said in a press release sent out after the ceremony. “It is important that we reflect and honour our veterans who served courageously to keep us safe and who gave their lives in service of Canada. Our veterans and their families will forever have our heartfelt thanks and gratitude.”
After wreaths were laid and the ceremony was completed, there was a “march past” from Veterans’ Square back to the Cloverdale Legion.
A recording of the live-streamed event from Veterans’ Square in Cloverdale is available on the City of Surrey’s Heritage Services Facebook page.
