During a long, wet night, members of the 99 Lynx Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron stood silent vigil at the cenotaph outside Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital.
Today's cadets are part of a tradition that began in 1989 when retired Commanding Officer Maj. Diane Keene was looking for a way to physically involve the young cadets in Remembrance Day.
This year marks the 35th year of the watchful tribute on the eve of Remembrance Day.
Heads bowed, over upturned rifles, the cadets dutifully guarded the Orillia cenotaph from Sunday evening through the night, until the end of the official ceremony today. The ceremony begins today at 11 a.m. at the cenotaph.
Even through COVID, virtual guards were held around the clock through the evening.
"We are proud of our young cadets who brave the rain, snow, cold and heat every year," noted a social media post from the local squadron.
At the rising sun and at its going down; we remember them.
