The Last Post - November 2024

At our Last Post this November 2024, it was to rain all afternoon, but the rain held back so we could do our work. We had our largest number of volunteers this year to clean the Last Post at Woodlawn Cemetery over twenty members and their families.

The new Cemetery Manager Kerry Blackwell and a couple of other employees came out to take part and witness our clean up. They witnessed the emotional connection and dedication of our young Vincentians and the respect we demonstrated while cleaning the gravestones.


We have two new members joining in our Clean up at the Last Post this year and they have shared their personal journey. Claire and Michael Jardine, Claire is one of our newest SSVP Executive members this year while Michael is in grade 7 and has been waiting to join our ministry. They have written about their experience. Please enjoy the article.

The Last Post was a very humbling experience, making us realize the price our freedom costs. At the event, we cleaned the headstones of veterans that fought for our sake. We used delicate tools to cut away at the grass that had grown along the stones, which was embedded into the ground. Next, we would clear the dirt around the stones to create a border so the names of our veterans could be read more easily. Taking cups full of water, our St. Vincent team washed away the muck that clung to the smooth headstones. The last thing we did really stuck to me, and I expect I will never forget it. We took the stones that our team had painted with poppies earlier, and we placed one on each headstone as we prayed for them by name. Another thing that I held on to was seeing that many of the soldiers were quite young when they died for us.

Cleaning these stones really moved us. It was beautiful to be able to pay respect to those who fought for our freedom. Cleaning each one was moving because you were cleaning everyone’s gravestone. The prayer and placing of the memorial rocks at the end showed us that this was not only an army that fought for us, but it was also each different individual that gained our right to the freedom we enjoy today. The placing of the painted stones helped us show respect for our veterans and helped us to realize the price our freedom costs. This was a beautiful event that we loved very much, and we hope to take part in it next year as well.

At the end of our clean up, Ms. Blackwell presented us with Commemorative Poppy Pin for each of our volunteers. This was such a touching gesture and something our youth will remember. We would love to take this time to Thank the Staff at Woodlawn Cemetery for the number of years they have given our SSVP Team the Honour of cleaning the Last Post at Remembrance Day.

Lest we Forget.

Written by: Claire Jardine, Michael Jardine and Lil Mulder