The annual Remembrance Day Service in Wilton is not an average small-town act of commemoration.
Drawing over 300 attendees, this service has been tradition for over four decades and is made possible by the Lion’s Club of Odessa and the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics.
Those who attend include members of the military, veterans, school children, wreath layers, and members of local, provincial, and federal governments. Police, EMS, and first responders also attend due to the aging Veterans.
Mike Shabinksy has been helping to organize the event for 42 years, and his enthusiasm for what he calls “a real community event” is palpable.
Shabinksy explained that, over time, as the service grew in attendance, organizers went to council and requested a street closure. Shabinksy was careful to note that the Napanee OPP are instrumental in making the closure a success.
At the time of publication, 72 wreaths are planned to be laid at the cenotaph. As Shabinksy noted, “there will be more.”
Loyalist Township mayor Jim Hegadorn, along with MPP Ric Bresee will be in attendance, along with 30 or so members of the military.
As is customary, a team of pilots will conduct a flyby over Napanee, Wilton, and Kingston, around 11 a.m. This is weather dependent.
Being a community event, Shabinksy emphasized that the service is “by the community, for the community.”
“We don’t turn anyone away,” he said, talking about how the Lion’s reuse wreaths.
“Wreaths used to be left out for garbage. Over the years, we decided to start saving them. There are 80 or so wreaths now in our possession,” said Shabinksy. “My personal view is no one should ever be prevented from laying a wreath because they can’t afford one.”
The generosity does not end there. Several community owned businesses, such as Tim Horton’s and No Frills, donate food and drink for the service.
“Everyone gets together and helps out,” noted Shabinksy.
The township, he noted, has also been a great partner in hosting this event.
“You can’t ask for a better working group than township staff. They’re there to help us if we need them,” he added.
The event begins at 10:30 a.m., but attendees are encouraged to arrive early to obtain parking. The street will be closed from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Following the service, everyone is invited back to the Odessa Agricultural Society Palace, 231 Main Street, Odessa, for refreshments and fellowship. Please enter off County Road 6.
Sarah Williams, LJI Reporter, The Napanee Beaver