New memorial honours great sacrifices

Despite dark and storm-threatening skies, local dignitaries, special guests, residents of Hall’s Harbour and the general public gathered Sunday, June 29 at 9:30 a.m. outside West Hall’s Harbour Baptist Church.

They witnessed Comrades from the Royal Canadian Legion Habitant No. 73 branch Canning, N.S. (assisted by members of Lumsden Branch No. 74, Wolfville) parade in a full Colour Party for the official dedication of the new Remembrance Memorial monument in this well-known village by the sea.

Legion members were accompanied by Chief David Watson and members of the Hall’s Harbour Volunteer Fire Department (HHVFD), and Cst. Andy Taylor, New Minas detachment, RCMP, who attended in dress uniform.

The formal ceremony was under the direction of Habitant Branch Chaplain (and 20-year Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) veteran Captain) Rev. Marc Potvin, who opened the service by leading in the national anthem.

Pastor David Cumby of Hall’s Harbour Baptist invited the Hon. Scott Brison, MP for Kings-Hants; the Hon. Mark Parent, MLA (Kings North); and Kings County Warden Fred Whalen to bring greetings to the large crowd, which included a number of other local veterans from the village and surrounding area.

Whalen also conveyed regrets on behalf of local Councillor Madonna Spinazola, who was away on business. Tim Bigelow and his father-in-law Kevin Watson, two Hall’s Harbour residents who are currently serving overseas with the CAF Afghanistan mission, were also acknowledged at this point.

Brison, Parent and Whalen each saluted the community’s achievement in establishing such a local monument in tribute to past and current efforts of all who have served and continue to serve, and in memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the freedoms we can otherwise so easily take for granted.

Cumby said that from the time he arrived at the church in 2006, he has been impressed by the willingness to help and the unified spirit that has surrounded this particular Memorial project, as seen in the work of the joint Hall’s Harbour Historical Society (HHHS) and Baptist Church Committee, and everyone approached.

One example of this team effort was locating a suitably large 16-ton granite stone by committee member Lewis Whitney and its donation, delivery and set-up by Shaffer Enterprises of South Alton (represented by owners Derrick and Barb Shaffer).

President Richard Parker said after the event, “the HHHS was very pleased with the committee’s design and the final installation of the costly bronze plaque by DeMone Monuments.” He also noted, “charitable donations for this project are still very welcome.”

After an exchange of dedicatory words, the monument was unveiled by Parker (who also read the Memorial Scripture of Joshua ch. 4:1-9) and Cumby. Potvin led in the Prayer of Dedication, which was followed by The Last Post (played by senior NKEC trumpeter Annie MacDuff), two minutes of Silence and “Reveille.”

The solemn ‘Act of Remembrance’ (words that also appear on the plaque) was led by Canning Legion President Roy Lynk, who was instrumental in arranging the ceremony.

Potvin called for the Laying of Wreaths on behalf of Canada by Brison (assisted by RCMP Cst. Taylor); the Province of N.S., by MLA Parent (with HHVFD Fire Chief Watson); Municipality of Kings County, by Warden Fred Whalen (with Mr. Parker); and the Royal Canadian Legion, by Habitant Branch Comrade (and Kings Co. Councillor) Jim Taylor (with HHVFD Captain Brad Roy). The proceedings ended with the singing of “God Save the Queen” and the marching off of the Colour Party.

The dignitaries and many of those assembled group then filed into the historic Baptist Church for a brief Municipal Appreciation and Heritage worship Service, led by Cumby. Guest Preacher was Rev. Dr. Mark Parent on the topic, “Reaping the Whirlwind” (Hosea 8:1-7a), and hymns were “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” and “The Church’s One Foundation”.

- Submitted