A group of Collingwood residents held their own ceremony at the local cenotaph today with a focus on peace not war.
Helen Peacock, one of the founders of Pivot2Peace, was joined by fellow peace group members for a ceremony that included laying a wreath made of red and white poppies.
"Remembering those who died is not enough," said Peacock. "We must also take this day to affirm our commitment to peace."
Organizers of the ceremony said they had the blessing of the Collingwood Legion.
"Yes, we want to honour the memory of those who died, but let us not forget that war is a tragedy ... there is nothing glamours about war," said Peacock. "Conflict may be inevitable, but using war to resolve it is a choice. We can choose differently if we think differently."
She explained the red poppies on the wreath were there to honour the more than 2.3 million Canadians who have served in the military throughout the nation's history. The white poppies on the wreath were there to honour the memory of the military personnel and millions of civilians who have died in war, the children who have been orphaned by war, the millions of refugees who have been displaced by war, and the toxic environmental damage of war.
"May this red and white wreath symbolize all of our hopes for a safer and more peaceful world," she said.
The wreath was added to the others that were laid by members of the legion and local dignitaries at a private ceremony this morning.
