DIDSBURY - The Remembrance Day ceremony in Didsbury saw hundreds of guests, dignitaries and others recognize and honour veterans for their service and sacrifice.
Held at the Zion Evangelical Missionary Church, the ceremony was hosted by the 3025 Service Battalion RCACC.
The service featured the laying of wreaths of remembrance, poems, songs, musical performances, and the reading of the Didsbury honour roll.
Cadets were joined by RCMP officers, Royal Canadian Legion and Ladies Auxiliary members in the colour party.
Among those in attendance were many young children and their families.
Bells of Peace ceremony held at museum
The Didsbury Museum’s annual Bells of Peace: Sunset Ceremony took place on Monday evening.
“It’s the best turnout we’ve ever had,” said Dawn Stewart, museum manager. “We counted 69 people, plus all the volunteers.”
As a remembrance of those who served in wars, volunteers with the Didsbury and District Historical Society launched the Bells of Peace initiative several years ago, with bells tolled 11 times on Nov. 11th, to honour Armistice Day, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 when the First World War came to an end.
Following O Canada, In Flanders Fields, and the recitation of the Didsbury Honour Roll, the Last Post was played, followed by two minutes of silence.
The ceremony closed with the playing of With God Save the King, followed by the tolling of bells from the museum buildings carillon (bell tower).
This year’s ceremony’s attendees include Second World War veteran Bill Jepps, 98. A sound recording of him reciting An Act of Remembrance was played.
Jepps was the very first banner in Didsbury's veteran’s banner project started by the museum in 2019.
Another attendee was a woman from B.C. who sponsored the Frank Moyle veteran banner in 2024, she said.
More than a dozen volunteers were involved in this year’s ceremony, including town councillor Bill Windsor, she said.
The museum grounds were decorated with crosses and poppies, and donation were collected for the Legion Branch #53.
Plans are to have a Bells of Peace: Sunset Ceremony in 2025, she said.
