Sea of red and white
Summerside Sea Cadets honour hundreds of veteran graves with flags
On a crisp Saturday morning, small Canadian flags flutter in the wind at the People’s Cemetery on MacEwen Road. Volunteers and members of the 85 RCSCC Summerside Sea Cadet Corps place the red and white flags beside headstones of veterans during the annual remembrance event.
After the placement of the flag, they reflect on the veteran who earned a final resting place there, their families, and their stories.
One headstone with a flag brings Roy Crozier, who has participated in many commemorative events over the years, to attention.
“He was my next door neighbour when I was a kid, and he died of lung cancer at just 32 yearsold,” remembered Crozier.
“He was about six feet tall, a good-looking guy, who served for our country.”
Crozier recently visited the Brookwood Military Cemetery for Commonwealth War Graves in England.
“My uncle that I’m named after is buried there. It was quite an experience.
“He was in the Second World War, but he died from pneumonia or tuberculosis from sleeping in a damp army camp.”
He added, “And 25 Prince Edward Islanders are buried there.”
Crozier placed plaques on the graves of those who served from P.E.I.
Out of respect almost 700 flags were placed near veterans’
headstones in the People’s Cemetery, St. Paul’s Catholic Cemetery, and St. Eleanors on Saturday.
“Part of their (sea cadet) mandate is community service and this is a way of helping our sponsor, the Summerside Legion,
to give back,” explained Lt. (N) Linda DesRoches, the commanding officer of the Summerside Sea Cadets. Master Seaman Aiden Little reflected in the silence on the great sacrifices made by those who served.
“I think of what they did, how they served, and how they risked their lives for our country. And if they didn’t do that, we wouldn’t be here today,” he said.