“I attend many meaningful occasions,” said MP Guy Lauzon, addressing the crowd gathered at Iroquois Point on Sunday, June 14, “but I can’t think of one where I have been more moved or emotional. We are celebrating Canada and 50 years of our proud flag. We live in a wonderful country.”
On February 15, 1965, Canada first raised the red Maple Leaf flag as the new symbol of this nation. In 2015, Canadians are celebrating the 50th anniversary of that flag.
The memorial service held at the Iroquois United Church Cemetery, Iroquois Point, was a special event both of remembrance and of flag recognition that drew a large crowd.
Organized by Connie Brown and the United Church cemetery board chaired by Robert Thompson, the service centred around a presentation of a new song, “Canadian Pride” especially written to honour the red maple leaf ensign.
Guest speaker, Brockville poet and composer Darlene Burns explained the background to her patriotic song.
She was driving home from work when she saw a tattered, and torn Canadian flag flapping in the wind.
“I don’t know about you, but it really bothered me to see our flag in that condition,” she said. She felt compelled to go home and compose a poem she called “Canadian Pride.” The chorus uses these words:
When you see me
Think of Freedom,
When you see me
Think of pride.
For I represent our great country,
For which many brave soldiers have died…
Burns took her song to Brockville tenor and producer Christopher Coyea, who loved the concept, and organized singers of all ages into a choir to officially launch the song at the Brockville Arts Centre, February 10, 2015.
“I was honoured to be asked to be part of this project, and very proud of what we accomplished,” said Coyea.
With the generous support of Proctor & Gamble, the team has been able to produce a dramatic DVD of “Canadian Pride.” Burns and Proctor & Gamble have assigned all the proceeds from the sale of this DVD to the United Way of Leeds and Grenville.
As part of the Iroquois service, Burns and Coyea played “Canadian Pride” for the crowd. After the presentation, members of the audience praised the emotional impact of the song honouring the flag.
Following final prayers by the Rev. Valerie Vande Wiele, and musical selections from Faye McMillen, the Iroquois Legion, branch # 370 colour guard retired the Colours to end the special memorial service.
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