Remembrance Day returns to the Gardens (24 photos, video)

Organizers of this year’s local Remembrance Day ceremonies clearly enjoyed a return to normal as this year’s ceremonies included not only wreath laying at the Cenotaph at the Sault Ste. Marie Courthouse but also a return to the indoor service held at GFL Memorial Gardens after two years of COVID-19 restrictions.

“It’s beautiful. Just simply beautiful,” said Pierre Breckenridge, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 1st vice president and Poppy Campaign chair, speaking to SooToday.

“Many people in this city for many, many years equated the Sault's Remembrance Day service with GFL Memorial Gardens, so it’s very nice to be back in person.”

Of note at this year’s ceremony was a brief speech by Sault Mayor Christian Provenzano - his last Remembrance Day address as he prepares to leave office - the presence of Silver Cross Mother Donna Crosson whose son Sgt. John Faught was a Sault native killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010, and the presentation of the Ed Dinsdale Award for ongoing contributions to the Poppy Campaign to Ron Rouleau, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 2nd vice president and Legion museum director.

The ceremony at the Gardens was well attended by the public, which applauded musical performances by the Legion Band and the 49th (Sault Ste. Marie) Field Artillery Regiment RCA Pipes and Drums.