One of the initiators of the Parry Sound Curlers Care Supporting Military Families Bonspiel had the honour of laying the first wreath in the Royal Canadian Legion’s annual Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

“It's the community that should be proud,” said Ray Pavlove. “The community should be proud of what they are doing to support the military veterans by participating in the bonspiel.”

Seven years ago, Pavlove and Tom Travers began the unique 2-4 curling bonspiel to bring awareness and support to servicemen and women, veterans, and their families in the area.

“We're promoting curling clubs from across Canada to host their own Curlers Care Bonspiel in support of their veterans and their communities,” said Pavlove.

The event has grown to 19 Curlers Care Bonspiels in Canada since 2015. And Pavlove paid tribute to those 19 bonspiels at the Remembrance Day Ceremony.

“I'm not alone on this. There were 19 other times in Canada that people supported Curlers Care.”

In acknowledgment of every supporting bonspiel, a special addition of 19 poppies was incorporated into the top of the Curlers Care wreath.

Pavlove said the moment was a privilege to participate in, but the true honour was all the supporters of Curlers Care over the years.

“That's who deserves the recognition of being allowed to lay a wreath.”

Residents can support our military families at the seventh annual Curlers Care Bonspiel from Feb. 24 to 25, 2023.

For more information, check out the Parry Sound Curling Club website at parrysoundcurlingclub.ca or contact Ray Pavlove at rpavlove@cogeco.ca or 705-746-9867.