BarrieToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in reference to 'Sacrifices remembered at Oro-Medonte ceremony,' published Nov. 5.
For the first time since 2019, the Township of Oro-Medonte followed the established tradition and protocol of using military people to stand as vigil at the 2023 Remembrance Day ceremony.
This is important since it shows respect for members of the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP.
For 2020 though 2022 a local town councillor, who self appointed himself to the position, stood vigil. In 2021, the township deputy fire chief joined him.
Appointing a non-military person to a position reserved for the military is disrespectful. It’s worse when a politician appoints himself along with a township employee.
There was a role for them in the past ceremonies, as a local dignitary and township representative, but they chose the elevated position of vigil which they were not entitled to.
I am grateful for the new council in reinstating past tradition and protocol and not using this sombre day for personal self-aggrandizement.
Keith A. Doxsee
Oro-Medonte
