Act of Remembrance at the 156th Annual Sessions. :: Grand Orange Lodge of Ontario

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Act of Remembrance at the 156th Annual Sessions.

156th Annual Sessions of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ontario West.

Cenotaph Ceremony and Act of Remebrance.

Friday April 24th 2015

The Act of Remembrance ceremony has in the past been performed during our meetings within the lodge room, and has always been conducted with the upmost dignity and decorum.  From time to time though our meetings have been held in cities and towns where there is an especially historic memorial present and this year as in the recent past years we have been able to visit these memorials and cenotaphs to offer our respect in public.  The 156th Annual sessions were held in the city of Niagara Falls and of course there is a wonderful cenotaph which is located in the parklands overlooking the Falls.

On Friday April 24th 2015 the meetings were recessed to provide time for our members to attend this wonderful monument to our war dead and offer our Act of Remembrance.  A bus was provided for our members to take the short journey to the Cenotaph on this chilly and blustery morning to visit this landmark in the city of Niagara Falls.  The service was conducted by our Grand Chaplain, Right Worshipful Brother Angus McLennan who provided an in-depth history of the familiar song, “The Maple Leaf Forever” written by Alexander Muir (1830 – 1906) in 1867 the year of Canada’s confederation.  He wrote the song after serving with the Queen’s Own Rifles of Toronto in the Battle of Ridgeway.  The Grand Chaplain offer this historical account of a wonderful song of unity and loyalty and the gathering was treated to a rendition of the song sung by our own Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Keith Wright.  The Act of Remembrance was repeated by the Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Jason Duncan.  At the conclusion of the ceremony the Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ontario West, the Grand Master of the Grand Black Chapter of Ontario West, Right Worshipful Sir Knight Dan MacDonald accompanied by the Grand Registrar, Rt.Wor.Sir Knight Michael Thomas laid wreaths on behalf of the members of the Orange and Black Institutions as the brethren paid their respects.  It is important to continue and strengthen these services as the survivors of these wars slowly turn in their medals of this life’s battles for the grander reward waiting for them in Heaven.

“They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.”

We Will remember them.