Belleville’s veterans commemorated the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth the Second at a memorial service at the city’s cenotaph Monday morning.
Corps Officer with the Belleville Salvation Army Major Curtis Butler offered a prayer for the Queen.
“Father we thank you for the example that she has left, Father we thank you for her persistence, for her patience Father for the love that she has for our country of Canada, for the patronage that she had, for the pride in our men and women in uniform and Father this day we give thanks for her service.”
On behalf of the city’s residents Mayor Mitch Panciuk laid a wreath at the cenotaph in honour of the Queen.
“In the coming days, weeks, and years we will recall pleasant memories and lessons we learned from the Queen’s example and while we reflect on her life today we also look to the future and offer warmest wishes to King Charles the Third. May his reign as Sovereign be long and healthy.”
At 18 years of age Queen Elizabeth herself served with the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a mechanic, among other jobs during the Second World War.
The memorial service was organized by the Belleville Veterans Association.
