A windy day may not be ideal for some, but a strong wind couldn't be more appropriate for the Flags of Remembrance Ceremony at Windsor's waterfront.
Hundreds of people from throughout Windsor-Essex braved a windy afternoon to witness the unfurling of dozens of Canadian flags in honour of fallen service members.
Volunteers stand in front of the Flags of Remembrance Ceremony ready to unfurl Canadian flags at Assumption Park on Riverside Dr. W Saturday Oct. 7, 2017. (Photo by AM800's Gord Bacon)
Mayor Drew Dilkens joined service members and supporters at Assumption Park for a procession as part of 128 flags raised in 16 communities across Canada.
Flags have begun to fly at Assumption Park,@CityWindsorON Mayor @drewdilkens leads the procession. #cklw pic.twitter.com/fxefafIEHM
— Gord Bacon (@baconAM800) October 7, 2017
Co-ordinator Terri Davis-Fitzpatrick says the 128-flags have a special significance.
"To remember our fallen, and our veterans. So what we have here is 128-Canadian-flags representing 128,000 Canadian service men and women killed in action and missing in action," she says."To give a highly visual display and impact, to show our respect and to honour our veterans. We've unfurled them all across Canada at the same times."
With Remembrance Day coming up quickly, Davis-Fitzpatrick says performing the ceremony in October is designed to show the need for support more than once every year.
"We should honour our veterans all year long and every day," she says. "That's why we chose this week and we're leaving it up from Oct. 7 to Nov. 12."
She says the ceremony honours Canadian Armed Forces, police, and fire service members.