By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Under a sky both sombre and serene, residents across Halton gathered on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, to honour the men and women who served and sacrificed in times of war and peace. From Oakville to Burlington, Halton Hills to Georgetown, Remembrance Day ceremonies echoed the same message of gratitude, reflection, and unity.
In Burlington, the annual procession began at Burlington Central School on Baldwin Street, proceeding down Brant Street to the Cenotaph in Veteran Square. Led by armoured personnel carriers, the parade included veterans, military personnel, cadets, and community members walking in solemn step to the steady rhythm of remembrance performed by Burlington’s Teen Tour Band.
The ceremony at 11 a.m., hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 60, featured the colour guard, two minutes of silence, and musical tributes from St. Luke’s Choir and members of the Burlington Teen Tour Band.
Scripture was read by Father Emmanuel from St. Raphael’s Roman Catholic Church in Burlington, who shared a passage from the Bible reminding the crowd of love’s enduring power. Burl-Oak Naval Veterans chairman Fred Norman recited In Flanders Fields, his voice carrying the weight of history as attendees bowed their heads.
The laying of the wreaths followed a central and heartfelt moment of the ceremony. Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Government of Canada by MP Karina Gould, for the City of Burlington by MPP Natalie Pierre, and by Regional Chair Gary Carr and Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, while others were placed by veterans’ family members. Each wreath was placed with care, representing gratitude from a community that will not forget.
“Remembrance Day is a deeply meaningful time for our Burlington community,” said Mayor Meed Ward. “It’s an opportunity to come together to honour the bravery, sacrifice, and service of Canadian veterans and active military members. We honour and remember those from Burlington who have served, and continue to serve, with courage and dedication in conflicts around the world. I had the honour earlier this year to pay respects to some of our Burlington men who never returned from World War I and II, on a visit to Normand, France, and Apeldoorn, Netherlands.”
Murray Sutherland, president of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 60, reflected on the day’s enduring importance. “November 11 is a time for all of us to reflect on the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, both past and present, who served and still serve to defend our values and freedoms,” he said.
In Oakville, the service at George’s Square held special significance this year as foreign dignitaries attended during the ongoing G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in the Niagara Region. The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, welcomed her international colleagues to Oakville’s ceremony, including Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom, and Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa.
“Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Africa share written history and a lived history,” said Anand. “Not only in treaties and institutions, but in the lives of men and women who stood together. When the world needed them most in both the First and Second World Wars, our nations fought on the Allied side. Soldiers from all three countries served and sacrificed together on the front lines, defending the simple, powerful idea that freedom is worth protecting.”
Anand continued with heartfelt emotion: “Remembrance Day asks us to pause. I feel the weight of the sacrifices — sacrifices rooted in love, family, and country. As we reflect on those who served, we also honour the families who watched them go. As a mother of four, I can only imagine the weight of seeing a child, or more than one, go into war.”
Across the Halton region, ceremonies in Halton Hills and Georgetown also drew residents together in reflection. The Halton Hills service was held at the local Cenotaph, organized by Branch 197 of the Royal Canadian Legion, while Georgetown’s Remembrance Park hosted a ceremony supported by Branch 120. Both began with moments of silence, music, and the solemn laying of wreaths — traditions that unite communities across generations.
From large gatherings in city squares to quiet moments of reflection in small towns, Remembrance Day in Halton stood as a testament to shared history and enduring gratitude.
