Federal Government contributes to Armistice 18

MP Kim Rudd today announced that Canada’s Commemorative Partnership Program that is operated by the Veteran’s Affairs Department is granting Cobourg $10,000 for its Armistice 18 program.  Kim commended Cobourg for its efforts although she did not mention the criticism leveled at the Federal Government in a recent McLeans article (see link below).  The same article also commended Cobourg:  “Cobourg, a town of 20,000 on Lake Ontario, is currently putting the rest of the country to shame in recognizing one of the most significant events in our nation’s past. In fact, it’s doing more to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War than the entire federal government.” But Kim did manage to get the money for Cobourg so that we “remember those who have given so much”.

M.P. Kim Rudd
M.P. Kim Rudd

Kim said that “Initiatives like Armistice ’18 ensure that the rich legacy of Canada’s Veterans is not forgotten” and “words alone are not sufficient to express our thanks for the effort put into this program – Congratulations, Well done”.  The announcement was fittingly held in the Art Gallery of Northumberland where the current exhibition of paintings by Charles Pachter  continues until November 11.  

Kim also noted that 2018 is not only the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI but also the 65th anniversary of the end of the Korean war.

In addition to the article in McLeans, Cobourg will be getting publicity in items by CBC, CTV and Steve Paikin on the Agenda on TVO.  I understand that the three Armistice 18 talks were sold out and apart from the first few shows, all the plays have had full houses.  A tribute to the effort by Hugh Brewster, the Town and Northumberland Players.   It will be a hard act to follow.

The annual ceremony at the cenotaph in Victoria Park should be special this year – stay tuned.

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Wally Keeler
5 years ago

The $10,000 is stingy. $20,000 would have been more appropriate. This Armistice 1918 event is a cultural manifestation worthy of all the effort our municipal staff did to bring together and facilitate the various elements of this event. This was historic culture at its best. Culture. Volunteer culture. Thespian culture, Musical culture. Literary culture. All of it combined to strengthen and enhance a community. It demonstrates what can be done with investment in culture, the impact it had on our community, and the reverberations of that impact were shared to the rest of the country. This entire cultural event illuminated not only our local history, but our locus in national history.

Yeah, sure, but will it bring in revenue to fill our ever-increasing pot-holes, blah blah blah blah blah blah blah culture doesn’t fill pot-holes blah blah blah blah

gerinator
5 years ago

Had the opportunity to be with my Dad yesterday and today. Stood on the sidelines while he and other vets talked shit about their experiences during the war. Suffering from all sorts of maladies and yet they are all still soldiers at heart. They’ve got to be the toughest generation we’ve ever had in Canada. I can only hope that this apple hasn’t fallen to far from the tree.

Dragonfly
5 years ago

So proud and appreciative to live in a place that welcomes ideas and nurtured initiatives like Armistice 18. Simply amazing!

Wally Keeler
5 years ago

There is a cenotaph in Victoria Park.

John Draper
Reply to  Wally Keeler
5 years ago

Oops – I have now corrected the post which Wally noticed I called a citadel instead of cenotaph.