8th Annual No Stone Left Alone Ceremony at Beechwood Cemetery
On November 5, 2024, attendees gathered at Beechwood Cemetery, Canada’s National Cemetery, for the 8th Annual No Stone Left Alone ceremony. This event honoured the memory of Canada’s fallen, involving students, veterans, military members, and members of the community in a poignant act of remembrance.
The ceremony began with a respectful acknowledgement of the Algonquin Nation, whose unceded territory hosted this gathering. Guests were then invited to stand as "O Canada" filled the air, a unifying moment to start the day’s tribute. The story behind No Stone Left Alone is rooted in a promise from a daughter to her mother. Maureen Bianchini Purvis, then a young girl, promised her mother, a proud WWII veteran, that she would always remember her on Armistice Day. Since her mother’s passing, Maureen has faithfully laid a poppy every year, a simple yet powerful act that blossomed into a movement to ensure no veteran is forgotten. Her vision has inspired generations to partake in a more personal, meaningful remembrance, where youth connect with the legacy of sacrifice.
Representatives from École élémentaire catholique Saint-François-d’Assis, St. Veronica Catholic School, the 76 Communications Regiment, and members of the Canadian Armed Forces joined together for readings that touched on Canada’s three service branches. These readings – When I Think of Famous Men for the Air Force, The Naval Hymn, and In Flanders Fields – paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of our military personnel across land, sea, and air.
The program continued with the Act of Remembrance, a powerful recitation:
"They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."
Following this, a moment of silence was observed, accompanied by the Last Post and Rouse. This tribute, underscored by the stirring sounds of the bugle and bagpipes, created a reflective silence among attendees. The wreath-laying portion saw representatives from Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces, the 76 Communications Regiment, Members of the Eastview Royal Canadian Legion, and children placed wreaths, symbolizing the collective gratitude of the community.
In the closing act, attendees were invited to place poppies on the headstones throughout the cemetery. Participants knelt, spoke each name aloud, and gently placed a poppy on each stone, ensuring that every veteran's memory lived on in the hearts of those present.
The No Stone Left Alone ceremony at Beechwood stands as a testament to the enduring power of remembrance and the legacy that each generation carries forward. This annual gathering is more than a ceremony – it is a promise kept, a tribute fulfilled, and a reminder that the freedom we cherish is built on the sacrifices of those who came before.