Point Roberts remembers

Assistant fire chief John Shields was one of several presenters at the Second Annual International Remembrance Day Celebration sponsored by Whatcom County Fire District #5 on November 11 at the Benson Road Fire Station. Shields expressed his gratitude and pride for his son, who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for all the other men and women in both the U.S. and Canada who have served their countries.

Ron Swalling, retired Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, directed the singing of the national anthems of the United Stated and Canada, with musical accompaniment by Esther Rosenthal.

Heather Jones read the poem "In Flanders Fields." Written by Canadian army surgeon John McCrae in 1915 as he mourned the death of a friend, the iconic Word War I poem celebrates its centenary this year.

Fire district commissioner and retired sergeant with the Royal Netherlands Army Bill Meursing.

A tribute to veterans from Richard Foreman, Canadian Coast Guard, retired, was followed by a moment of silence and a rendition of Taps from the hallway by Marilyn Turner to close the program.

Foreman speaks to the gathered crowd.

Rita Haggerty, Pam Carleton, Jeanette Meursing, Gina Fiorillo and Diane Thomas made sandwiches and served coffee at the Remembrance Day celebration.

By Meg Olson

Photos by Ed Park and Jeanette Meursing