Diamond Jubilee Celebrations – September 29, 2012

On a beautiful autumn afternoon, residents of Huron Shores and area gathered in Iron Bridge at Tally Ho Park to dedicate the recreation bridge as “Veterans Bridge”.  The public dedication ceremony was in honour of the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and as such recognized the commitment to a life of service to one’s country.  Dignitaries included MP Carol Hughes, MPP Michael Mantha, Mayor Gil Reeves, himself a veteran, Huron Shores veterans and members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branches 182 and 189 of Thessalon and Blind River respectively.

The ceremony began at the Cenotaph with opening remarks by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 182’s Comrade Alex “Tex” Lammle, Mayor Reeves, Ms. Hughes and Mr. Mantha, followed by a solemn Act of Remembrance and the laying of wreaths.  Piper Cameron  Ross played The Last Lament. The dedication of the Veterans Bridge and the unveiling of the new signage concluded the ceremony.  Attendees were able to mingle and stroll across the newly named bridge that spans the Mississagi River.

Veterans and dignitaries then made their way to the Iron Bridge Lions Hall to enjoy an appreciation dinner followed by presentations for the veterans and the many municipal committee volunteers and fire fighters.  Huron Shores veteran Mr. Russell Clearwater was presented with the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Medal.

All attendees received a Diamond Jubilee Pin as a memento of the event.  A collection of items depicting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth throughout her reign and as a young princess were also on display courtesy of the Iron Bridge Historical Museum Committee.  The evening ended with a Diamond Jubilee cake and a community dance with live music by local band “Jukebox”.

The Mayor, Council and staff of the Municipality of Huron Shores would like to extend thanks to Comrade Alex Lammle for his expertise and advice in planning the bridge dedication ceremony; the members of the Colour Party from Thessalon Royal Canadian Legion Branch 182 for agreeing to participate in the dedication; MP Carol Hughes and MPP Michael Mantha for their enthusiastic participation in all of the day’s festivities; and, of course, all of the veterans, legion members, and the committee volunteers who made the day so memorable.  The Municipality also gratefully acknowledges funding assistance from Canadian Heritage 2012 Diamond Jubilee Community Celebrations Grant.