Woodstock Vigil for Soldiers

Sunday, 26 October 2014 11:31

Residents, emergency personnel and veterans showed up to honour two fallen soldiers.

WOODSTOCK - Residents from across Oxford County turned out for a vigil held at the cenotaph in Victoria Park. Emergency services stood together and veterans dotted the crowd wearing poppies. It was an early vigil held ahead of Rememberance Day on November 11th. This time it was not for soldiers who had fought overseas but rather two soldiers who were attacked on home soil. Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent was run down by a car earlier in the week in Quebec and Corporal Nathan Cirillo of the Argyll detachment was attacked while standing guard in front of the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

Residents turned out in hundreds for the silent vigil held for two soldiers killed the past week #woodstock pic.twitter.com/et8sGQD3cs
— 104.7 Heart FM (@1047HeartFM) October 25, 2014

The Vigil was organized by Evening of Honour and the idea was created by Sean Noon who decided to honour these two by hosting a vigil at the cenotaph. A bagpiper started the vigil and those present bowed their heads during a moment of silence for the two fallen soldiers. Sean Noon a local resident and reservist explained the decision behind the vigil."It just means showing our support for those gave their lives and not just this week but all Canadians who have given their lives and just letting the rest of the country and the world know they are not forgotten and that this is not going to keep us down."

Noon had met Corporal Cirillo several times during his time in Hamilton,"from what I saw in the times I did meet him he was an amazing man." Noon adds, "one thing I do know is that he loved his son and he loved his regiment he was proud to be an Argyll as they all are, he was proud to wear the colours and serve Canada and wear the flag on his shoulders."

Silent vigil at Cenotaph in Woodstock, respectful Canadians. pic.twitter.com/crNIdVBOTK
— Dave MacKenzie (@DaveMacKenzieMP) October 25, 2014

Those present lit candles and placed flowers on the cenotaph. A member of the vigil organizing group, Master Corporal Kevin DeClark commented on the turnout. "It's just a fine display of the community coming together and showing they care and that terrorism isn't winning, terrorism is trying to rip us apart but its actually just making us stronger."