Hundreds turn out for Remembrance Day ceremony in Dartmouth

Hundreds of people gathered Saturday for Halifax’s Remembrance Day ceremony, held for the first time at an alternate location in Dartmouth.

The large crowd of about a 1,000 adorned with poppies, including veterans and dignitaries, gathered at Sullivan’s Pond to pay their respects to those who had fallen and fought during the two world wars, Korea and other conflicts.

The Royal Canadian Legion moved the ceremony to Dartmouth due to tenters living at the Grand Parade where the ceremony is usually held, according to Mayor Mike Savage.

This year served as a marker for two events that deserved particular recognition, according to the legion’s Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command president Don McCumber.

The Korean Armistice Agreement was signed 70 years ago following the Korean War, which involved 26,000 Canadians over three years during the Korean War, killing 516.

It was also the 75^th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping Operations. More than 125 Canadian military members served in 37 missions, with 130 of them having sacrificed their lives during those missions.

“I thank one and all today, for paying your respect,” said McCumber. “May we never forget the sacrifices made for our peace and our freedom.”

A mother’s loss

The Silver Cross Mother for this year was Danita Curwin. Her late son was Private John Michael Roy Curwin, who served in the 2^nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment.

Private Curwin joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2006 and was deployed to Afghanistan in August 2008. On Dec. 13, 2008, four members of G company were sent to investigate a report of people planting suspicious objects on a highway in Kandahar City.

During this task, their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. Private Curwin, Corporal Thomas Hamilton and Private Justin Jones were killed instantly by the blast.

Private Curwin now rests in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Lower Sackville.

Danita Curwin was honoured that her son’s sacrifice was recognized at Saturday’s ceremony. Despite initially struggling with the devastating loss, she has since gone on to new accomplishments.

She says “Still today, I always have a hole in my heart,” even after 15 years. “I carry him with me wherever I go.”