In a moving ceremony, Remembrance day services were held at the Port Hope cenotaph on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
The Commanding Officer and a number of soldiers from the 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron from CFB Petawawa flew in to the ceremony touching down at 9:15 a.m.
Veteran, Vincent O’Hanley who is the Sgt. At Arms with Port Hope Legion Branch 30 came up with the idea of inviting members of the Squadron he served with from 1983 to 1988.
“A couple of months ago I said to the Legion staff it would be a great idea – lets make this happen.”
After a number of e-mails and phone calls working out the logistics a few weeks ago the Legion was informed Lieutenant-Colonel David Wood, Commanding Officer of 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, Chief Warrant Officer and 13 other members would be flying down on a CH-147F Chinook landing just south of the Port Hope Town Hall.
The Chinook supports the Canadian Army, special operations forces, other government departments, law enforcement agencies and civil authorities. It has enhanced self-protection capabilities, including anti-missile protection systems, radar as well as laser warning systems, ballistic protection and self-defence machine guns.
CAF members were welcomed by O’Hanley, Branch 30 President Wayne Stephens, Port Hope Police Chief Tim Farquharson and Fire Chief Jason Williams before being escorted to Town Hall in preparation for the Remembrance ceremony.
Sharply at 10:30 a.m. the parade marched to the cenotaph and shortly after the ceremony began under the direction of Comrade Roger Wilson.
During the service, Julie Stewart, Lori Moore and Madam Longs, grade 2/3 F1 class from Ganaraska Trail Public School Pop Up Choir sang a number of songs and read the poem In Flanders Fields.
Bugler Emma Harness played the Last Post followed by two minutes of silence sharply at 11 a.m. The first wreath was placed by Silver Cross Mother Barbara Johnson and her husband Ron.
At the end of the service a number of people placed their poppies on the wreathes at the cenotaph.
Just prior to heading back to CFB Petawawa, Lieutenant-Colonel Wood said it was a “great experience” coming to Port Hope for the Remembrance Service.
“It was invigorating to be invited into another community that’s the same size at the Pembroke/Petawawa area and come down and see another Remembrance Day Ceremony.”
Watching the students from Ganaraska Trail Public School is something Lieutenant-Colonel Wood hasn’t seen before.
“It was definitely unique to see with the choir. We don’t see that typically back home, so we really enjoyed it. Having a chance to engage with some of the school kids and Legion members – for us it was awesome and we really appreciate the hospitality and the invite.”
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
