Remembrance Day is a time to spend time reflecting on those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for Canada. This year, one shop in Hespeler will honour the lives of 90 fallen soldiers who hail from the village.
Spanning over both World Wars, Korea and missions with the United Nations, 90 service members' names have been printed on stickers and stuck on the window for a display at the community store and not-for-profit Kindness in the Village, at 11 Queen St. E..
For the past two years, owner Denise Baker has taken it upon herself to remember those who fought for the country and honour them with a full window display on the busy Queen Street in downtown Hespeler.
"The first year was about the personal lives of the soldiers because there's no one who really knew what was going on and their the problems," said Baker. "So I had pictures of newspapers, sewing kits, toothbrushes and razors."
This year Baker, who is also a member of the Hespeler Legion Branch 272, saw all of the war memorabilia and decided to focus on helmets, pins and badges.
"Denise had talked to me about this program and we thought, you know, that's amazing," said Bill Kalbhenn, vice president of the Hespeler Legion.
Kalbhenn said when he was young he would see stores all over town decorate their windows for Remembrance Day, but knows times are different now.
"It's our goal and our opportunity and our mission to make sure that we keep remembrance in the forefront for individuals, so isn't this such a perfect reminder?"
The display has hats, helmets and medals worn by service members from Hespeler over the last 100 years.
The partnership between the Legion and Baker was a perfect match according to Kalbhenn as both the store and the legion have goals to help members of the community, from veterans to marginalized youth.
"This is just a way that I can show my appreciation for these soldiers and honour them. So I am grateful that the legion has allowed me to borrow these items," said Baker.
