November 11, 2025
by: Susan W. Smith
November 11 is commemorated in both the USA and Canada. Veterans Day in the USA and Remembrance Day in Canada.
This year we were doubly proud as Mrs. Nancy Payne from Lansdowne, ON, was chosen from across Canada by the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command as the National Silver Cross Mother. The chosen individual is the mother of a Canadian sailor, aviator or soldier who died on active duty and represents all mothers who have lost a son or daughter in military service.
The Payne family lost their son, Cpl. Randy Payne. who was a member of the Canadian Miliary Police and deployed in Afghanistan at the time of his death. When we heard the name in the news, we recognized it from the bridge sign on the Highway 2 crossing over Highway 401 at exit 648. Certainly this made Remembrance Day in Ottawa have special meaning for Thousand Islanders.
CTV News.ca covered the service and produced this lovely small vignette. https://youtu.be/Cm4jFeYUmtQ?si=SoPMYVR9wdVNgOXe
Poet Laureate, Gretchen Huntley
Then immediately following the November 11th service in Gananoque, Gretchen Huntley, the town appointed Poet Laureate sent us her 2025 poem that was presented during Gananoque's ceremony. Such a proud time for the small town and much appreciated by this editor and our readers.
Just one soldier, by Gretchen Huntley
Have you ever stood in the cemetery?
Where our brave soldiers lie
With your hand on a single stone
As you were passing by
Did you stop and take a moment
As you placed your hand upon that stone
And wonder how this fellow died
And if he died alone
What were his final thoughts?
Did he think of family?
Or was the bullet swift
Did death come instantly?
Was it early morning
Or as the sun set in the sky
Was there a warm breeze
Or was the snow piled high
When he took his last breath
Was he wracked with pain?
Did he die in the sunshine?
Or in the pouring rain
Did he hold a picture?
Tightly in his hand
Thinking of a loved one
In a far off land
Was there a wrinkled letter
Tucked safely near his breast
Were his bloodied hands
Clasped tightly to his chest
Each stone that marks a grave
As they stand row on row
Holds a heart full of secrets
No one will ever know
Thankfully there were men
Who made it back alive
Many badly wounded
But they did survive
And all they ask of us
Is to learn from the past
“Lest we forget “
Is the message that will last
We thank all those who made sure that Thousand Islands Life Magazine was kept informed for this special Remembrance Day.
By Susan W. Smith, editor, info@thousandislandslife.com
