The Town of Halton Hills community supports Veterans and their families by affirming the willingness and commitment to maintaining an actively supportive environment, through partnerships, organizations, programs, and services. Veterans and their families will be recognized, engaged and have their specific needs met.
Canadian Veterans Affairs Halton Seniors' Services
Remembrance Day 2020
In light of COVID-19, Remembrance Day ceremonies will not occur as we have traditionally seen them in previous years. In an effort to ensure public safety we are asking residents to avoid attending this year's ceremonies. Community members can show their support by participating in one of the following ways:
- Donate to the Royal Canadian Legion's Poppy Fund and help support Canadian veterans and their families.
- Watch the Virtual 2020 National Remembrance Day Ceremony live on The Royal Canadian Legion Facebook.
- Share your thoughts on Let's Talk Halton Hills.
- Observe 2 Minutes of Silence at 11 a.m. on November 11, 2020 and pause to honour, thank and remember our Fallen.
- Commemorate by hanging a Canadian flag or decorating your front door.
- Educate and engage young ones with Remembrance Day activities from CBC Parents.
Legions in Halton Hills |
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Acton - Branch #197 Georgetown - Branch #120 |
Community Covenant |
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In 2014, the Community Covenant for veterans and their families was established. View the signed document for more information. Guiding principles of the Community Covenant
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Meet a local veteran |
Lorne Hunter (November 13, 1923 - July 10, 2017)
We are honoured to profile Veteran Lorne Hunter of the Town of Halton Hills. In 1939 when World War II was declared, Lorne attended Georgetown & District High School. "I remember our science teacher coming into the class and telling us." Lorne says. He recalls it not meaning much to him at the time. He watched his teacher cry not understanding the magnitude of her memories living through World War I. Lorne's day after the school bell rang was pretty full delivering milk and, then off to the woollen mill, and then the paper mill. In those days there were no choices when it came to joining the service. If you did not sign up by the time you were 19 years old - they came looking for you! Lorne signed up for active service; and with that … his war story began. Lorne served in the Army during World War II from 1942 to 1946. He was sent overseas and based in Horley and Hythe, England. Following D-Day Lorne served in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. In England, Lorne earned his lance corporal stripe after completing the Technical & Departmental Storeman program with high marks. Lorne describes his experience during the war as quite extraordinary - although he would not choose to relive all of his experiences, he learned a lot from the responsibility he was given to serve his country. "I worked with David Slater who, after the war, became the Dean of York University, and then a government minister!" he says with pride. Most of Lorne's memories describe hard work and long days with little sleep. After France he went on to Belgium and Holland. Ironically a country school in Holland is where he found refuge on one mission and celebrated his 21st Birthday; but instead of delivering milk and working in the mills; Lorne was ordering gum rubber boots and leather jerkins in preparation for very cold days ahead! After Germany surrendered in 1945 Lorne's final job was assisting in the dispersal of all the trucks, jeeps, motorcycles, trailers and other war vehicles. In January of 1946 Lorne sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia back to Union Street in Ontario. He was one of the thankful ones who reunited with his family in Halton Hills. Lorne is described as "a man with a very sharp mind" and just recently received two commemorative medals from the French Government and Canadian Veteran's Affairs. |
