The Hub November 2016 | Page 8

Angelica Haggert
Windsor-Essex may be small but when it comes to Canada ’ s military history , we sure were mighty . Servicemen and women from Southwestern Ontario played a major role in all of Canada ’ s forays into war . We ’ ve highlighted their involvement with memorials , such as the the Essex Memorial Spitfire and Honour Wall , near the train station in the town of Essex ; the Essex County War Memorial Cenotaph downtown at City Hall Square ; and The North Wall along the riverfront , close to The Ambassador Bridge .
In 1943 , dozens left their $ 5.00 an hour jobs on the Windsor auto assembly line to head to Scotland and assemble military vehicles . Called The Essex Regiment , the unit disbanded and became The Windsor Regiment in 1949 , where many volunteers served during the Korean War .
In 1885 , local militias amalgamated into The 21st Essex Battalion of Infantry , and were placed on active service during World War One . In 1926 , an alliance was formed with the Essex Regiment of the British Army , and Windsor-Essex soldiers fought in Dieppe and lost lives during Operation Jubilee . The Dieppe Memorial is located in Dieppe Gardens on Windsor ’ s riverfront .
The Essex Memorial Spitfire and Honour Wall was dedicated in November 2015 . It highlights local soldiers who served in the Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War .
Constructed in 1924 , moved to City Hall Square and re-dedicated in 1965 , the Essex County War Memorial is a tribute to those who served in the Great War . Later , tributes were added for those who served in World War Two and the Korean War .
The North Wall , or the Canadian Vietnam Veteran ’ s Memorial , was dedicated in 1995 in honour of Canadian soldiers who never came home from The Vietnam War .
Our area is also home to a one-of-its-kind group , the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee . Around since 1926 , the committee has had many names , but seeks to provide dignified military-type funeral services to veterans and secure burial resting places in all cemeteries for veterans and their families . Since 2011 , the committee has performed over 75 funerals for veterans .
Established in 2002 , the Windsor Historical Society - Veterans Memories Project , is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to capturing , preserving and sharing veterans stories from across Canada . This year , the society has arranged a special project called “ 200 Veterans with 200 Students ,” which will give 200 local students the opportunity to interview 200 local veterans .
As Remembrance Day approaches , we can explore our area ’ s military history by visiting some of these memorials , or taking part in Remembrance Day activities . Somber reflection on the sacrifices made since the 19th century by women and men from our area in time of war allows us to express our gratitude for their service .

REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICES Friday November 11

Essex Remembrance Day Parade Royal Canadian Legion Branch 201 103 Talbot Street , Essex 9:45 a . m .
Harrow Remembrance Day Parade & Service Colchester-Harrow Legion Branch 338 37 McAffee Street , Harrow 1:30 p . m .
LaSalle Remembrance Day Gathering LaSalle Cenotaph Park 11 a . m . to noon
Windsor Remembrance Day Parade & Ceremony Windsor Cenotaph 350 City Hall Square W .
8 The HUB -November 2016
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