For it was on this site that the old Peace Memorial School stood until its demolition in 2005. The arch that I mentioned is what was saved from the demolition of the old school. It stood originally as the portico over the main entrance to the building where throngs of children once lined up for classes upon hearing the principal’s brass bell.

This day was special to me for it was over 60 years ago that I sat with my classmates for a group photo under this same awesome arch. In 1918 the school was used as a temporary hospital for the wounded returning home from the front in France. One can still visualize the soldiers, some gassed, some wounded, being carried through this same arch on litters to get medical attention.

The military commandeered three of the school’s four classrooms for rehab and only one room was allotted to local children, many of whom were transferred from SS No. 7 Barton school on Upper Gage Avenue, south of Fennell.

On this Remembrance Day a small group of local residents gathered in front of the Peace Arch for a prayer of remembrance, beautifully spoken by the Reverend Glen Wells of St. John United Church.

The service, though small, is of the highest historical significance, being the first of its kind to be held in the new park.

Visitors were standing braced against the wind, their eyes welling up with tears as the reverend’s words pierced the chill air. A moment’s silence was called for at 11 o’clock during which the old school’s brass bell was rung and off to the south our old Lancaster bomber, a Mitchell and a fighter plane circled above for their annual pass over Gore Park.

This scene will be repeated every year from now on with the expected addition of hundreds more well-wishers.

Hamilton’s largest Peace monument found its place in history this day. As I walked away, I turned and swore that I caught a lightning fast glimpse of a little fair-haired boy sitting cross-legged on the steps of the archway. Sure looked like me for a second! Just mind games I guess.