Honouring the heroes who fought for our freedom
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Vaughan’s annual Remembrance Day ceremony pays tribute
to the First Special Service Force
The City of Vaughan
held a special ceremony to remember the brave men and women who served and
continue to serve our country. It was a chance to pause, reflect and honour the
heroic individuals who went to war to fight for peace and freedom. This year, the
event paid tribute to veterans and the soldiers of the First Special Service
Force. Annual Remembrance Day commemorations also featured an artifact exhibit
and poppy wall.
The
First Special Service Force was formed in 1942 and was one of the most highly trained
and successful Allied military units during the Second World War. As the first
and only joint Canadian-American military force, it was created to carry out
special operations, including the liberation of Italy from German forces during
the Second World War. Many of the Italian immigrants who now reside in Vaughan
were freed by this team.
Mayor
Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council were joined by representatives of
the First Special Service Force to commence Remembrance Day initiatives today at
Vaughan City Hall. Guests shared personal thoughts of gratitude by writing a
message on a paper poppy for display on the City Hall Poppy Wall.
The
community is invited to visit the exhibit at Vaughan City Hall and share their
own thoughts of remembrance until Monday, Nov. 11.
QUOTE
“Remembrance
Day reminds us to take the time to pause and express gratitude for the
contributions men and women have made throughout the years to give us our
freedom. These are heroic individuals who went to war for the greater cause of
democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Not just on Remembrance Day, but
every single day, we, as individuals who are accustomed to living in safe
communities, expressing ourselves freely, having the opportunity to work and to
study, and to worship whatever faith we believe in, need to be mindful that
these rights came at a cost. I invite everyone in the community and beyond to
visit Vaughan City Hall to pay respect, explore the exhibit and share thoughts
of remembrance on the Poppy Wall. We will never forget.”
-
Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
QUICK FACTS
- This year, the City’s Remembrance Day exhibit pays tribute to the First Special Service Force – a joint Canadian-American military unit that played a vital role in the liberation of Italy in the Second World War.
- The First Special Service Force was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Silver-Gilt Star, as well as the American Distinguished Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism. Many members were honoured for their individual acts of valour, including Tommy Prince, Canada's most decorated First Nations soldier of the Second World War.
- The City’s Poppy Wall is an annual Remembrance Day tradition, now in its fifth year. The community is invited to share their thoughts of remembrance by writing a personal message on a paper poppy that can be placed on the Poppy Wall at Vaughan City Hall.
- Vaughan’s Poppy Wall and Remembrance Day exhibit are on display at Vaughan City Hall until Monday, Nov. 11.
LEARN MORE
- Vaughan Archives webpage
Veterans from the First Special Service Force and members of the local Air Cadets joined Vaughan's Remembrance Day tribute.
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