Remembrance Day

“Your children are our children.”

The Mayor of Ortona spoke these words in his message during CCI’s Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Moro River Cemetery, Ortona on November 11. He spoke of the sacrifice of the Canadian soldiers and how the people of his town and indeed of this whole area have a deep and lasting sense of gratitude to Canada.     

In total some 600 Canadians died in Italy alone during WWII. Not only were we honouring those who died in that war, we were remembering those who have died in more recent wars such as in Afghanistan.

Located as we are in Lanciano, we are in the heart of the WWII Italian Campaign area. In nearby Ortona, the Allied Forces fought a particularly gruesome battle with the Germans that became known as “Little Stalingrad”. Some 1375 Canadian soldiers died in fierce house to house fighting during eight days during the Christmas period of 1943 and are buried in the cemetery.      

We were pleased this year to have the students participating from Istituto Nautico Ortona as well as some Canadian students from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada on a tour of Italy.

As has been our practice, Mrs. D’Alessandro planned, organized and led the service. We were honoured by the presence of soldiers who have just completed their mission against Libya, 

Canadian military personnel based in Naples, 

Canadian and Italian veterans and politicians, and especially by the Canadian Ambassador to Italy, Mr. James Fox.

                                                                                              

 CCI students and faculty members participated in all aspects of the ceremony including leading the singing of the Canadian and Italian national anthems, giving readings, singing two hymns – “Amazing Grace” and “Abide with Me” – and laying a wreath on behalf of all Canadian young people.

Following prayers, a number of wreaths were laid. It was particularly moving to see members of the Italian and Canadian military honouring their own.  

Our students from all over the world enjoy the freedom that these men died to preserve. 

Then there was time to learn who these men were and to reflect again on their sacrifice. 

Following the ceremony, a lunch was held for our guests at the Allegria...

all overseen by our own Mr. Centofanti and the staff at the Allegria. 

That afternoon, two guest speakers, L. General Hainse and Col. Milot who had served with each other during their careers, spoke of their life’s work as soldiers, of how the military has changed in the last few decades and of how Canada’s military role has evolved at the same time. Suffice to say that it was a lively and engaging question and answer session.

 Even after the session was over, students remained behind to talk to our guests. 

In the Moro River Ceremony – July 11, 2004

Brian Kellow

Now is the time for weeping

Among the young and the

Young dead,

The white crosses and the red flowers

And the grass

Over the underground stains

Of all the silent boys.

Now is the time for weeping

Among the young and the

Young dead

For the lives not lived

For the loves not loved

For the suddenly old faces and

The long passed lines

Around the eyes

Of the mothers, the wives

And the fathers.

Now is the time for weeping

In the place as silent

As the lost laughter

Of the boys

In the place as still

As the brooding mountain

That witnessed

The guns, the cries and the white crosses

And hears only the silence

Of the voiceless

Of the young,

Of the dead.

Now is the time for weeping.

Now is the time for weeping.

I am among the weeping.