Hundreds of residents gathered in downtown Windsor on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, to honour the sacrifices of Canadian military personnel during the city's solemn Remembrance Day ceremony. The event at the downtown cenotaph paid tribute to those who served in conflicts from the Second World War to Afghanistan.
A Mother's Sacrifice and a Community's Gratitude
The emotional weight of the day was embodied by Theresa Charbonneau, Windsor's Silver Cross Mother, who received a heartfelt 'Thank you for your son's sacrifice' from a young stranger. Charbonneau's son, Cpl. Andrew Grenon, 23, was killed while serving his second tour in Afghanistan in 2008.
Addressing the crowd, Charbonneau expressed her profound gratitude. 'Thank you for being here. You have no idea what it means to me,' she said, reminding everyone that 'We are truly Canadian, and we have our freedoms because of those who fought for it.'
Ceremony Highlights and Dignitaries
The ceremony, emceed by Paul Lauzon, chair of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, featured a poignant mix of tradition and reflection. Lauzon emphasized the importance of the gathering, stating, 'When citizens gather around the memorial Cenotaph in downtown Windsor each Nov. 11, we say 'thank you' to everybody.'
Keynote speaker Capt. Jeremy Samson, a Kingsville native and current Canadian Forces director of naval personnel, delivered a powerful message. 'Let us never forget that our freedom comes at a tremendous cost,' said Samson, who has commanded warships globally.
Evolving Traditions and Lasting Tributes
On the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the ceremony acknowledged the diminishing ranks of veterans from that global conflict, in which more than 1.1 million Canadians and Newfoundlanders served. Lauzon noted that while veterans from the Second World War and the 1950s Korean War are fewer, their legacy is now carried by veterans of more recent conflicts.
This includes those who served in Afghanistan, where more than 40,000 Canadians served from 2001 to 2014. The service also included a unique cross-border tribute, with singer Larissa Gignac performing both O Canada and the U.S. national anthem, a gesture of thanks to Canada's closest ally despite current political tensions.
Organizers ensured the focus remained squarely on veterans, having asked politicians from all levels of government to keep their messages short and 'stay out of politics.' The ceremony stood as a powerful community commitment to building a future that honours the sacrifices of the past.
