Delhi’s Branch 125 introduces ‘No Stone Left Alone’

Remembrance stones prepared for Delhi’s No Stone Left Alone initiative on Nov. 5. 

Chris Abbott

Editor

The Royal Canadian Legion, Delhi Branch 125, introduced the ‘No Stone Left Alone’ initiative to the Delhi area this year.

“It’s in its 15th year,” said Trudy Ingraham. “The lady who started it, out west, her mother was a veteran. On Remembrance Day, she placed a poppy on her mother’s grave, and she realized there were a lot of other headstones of veterans laid to rest there. She felt it would be a nice idea if they all were remembered.”

Over the years, schools became involved.

Ingraham reached out to the local elementary schools to participate in a Nov. 5 ceremony at the Delhi cemetery, open to the public.

“We will be placing stones, painted black with a poppy painted on it, with the words ‘Lest We Forget.’ So each student will be given a pre-painted stone, the size of their palms.

“There are approximately 50 gravesites at the cemetery, in one specific area. All together, there are 81 veterans laid to rest there. Some are with their families and those stones will be pre-laid.

“Each student will get a stone, and place it on a headstone of a vet, and they are going to say the veteran’s name as part of the ceremony. This way, it brings the students into it, and it pays tribute to our vets. At this age, I believe it’s very, very important that we get the students involved in these kinds of things… because they are the ones who are going to carry Remembrance on through the years. We need to make sure it’s not forgotten.”

The Branch 125 Colour Party also participated in the ceremony.

“They always step up to the plate,” said Gary Cunningham, Sergeant at Arms, who coordinates the Branch 125 Colour Party.

Ingraham noted they also wanted to do a small ceremony at the Courtland cemetery where there are five or six veterans.

“We wanted to include them, if we can possibly do it this year,” said Cunningham. “Once we do, they will never be forgotten after that. We don’t want to forget anybody.”