Editorial – A UPS driver stood out during the Remembrance Day service at the Royal Canadian Legion Brach 577 in Bewdley on November 11, 2020.
As the abbreviated service took place starting at 10:45 a.m. at the corner of Kidd Street and Lake Street people stood in attendance along with dignitaries including Hamilton Township Mayor Bill Cane.
With COVID-19, Remembrance services everywhere are different, if places even have them.
But Bewdley Legion did and people were spaced out and had masks on.
It was a shortened service, but one that had everything that a Remembrance service would have.
The placing of wreathes, the reading of In Flanders Fields and a prayer along with Legion members and their Colour Party.
During the ceremony that lasted upwards of approximately 20-minutes what was noticeable was the traffic that drove by while the service was taking place.
A SUV with people stayed out of respect, but others, meaning more than a few, simply stopped at the stop sign and proceeded on their way in life.
Except for one. A UPS driver who was on deliveries stopped near the top of the hill on Kidd Street. The driver parked in a place where he could see the service.
He sat silently in his vehicle, with his mask on, watched and showed his respect.
The UPS truck was an angle that I could see what he was doing, but still manage to take photos and video of the service.
He sat in the drivers seat and watched the entire service.
After the ceremony was over, more than one person gave the driver a wave and said thanks as they made their way back to their vehicles.
I tapped on his door which he slid open and told him what he did was appreciated.
“It was the least I could do,” he said.
Those words resonated with me.
Of anyone on Remembrance Day that would have reason not to stop and proceed on their way is any type of courier service – but he did.
If they can stop and pay their respects to the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom, anyone can and more importantly should.
It’s the least they could do.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
