An overflowing crowd of more than 600 Innisfailians packed the Royal Canadian Legion Auditorium for this year's Remembrance Day Ceremony.
Members of the community, military, RCMP, cadets, and service clubs turned out to pay honour to those who gave their lives to protect Canada. Innisfailians aged three to 93 wore poppies proudly while some remembered sons, and husbands and others recalled relatives never met, but still honoured.
Del Seabrook, Legion 104 president, introduced the dignitaries and read a letter from Stephen Harper, prime minister of Canada recognizing the role of Canadian peacekeepers and soldiers up to the present day.
“The solders who fell defending Canada and our allies during wartimes, are the sons and daughters of Canada,” said Chris Strong, member of Alberta's North West Command. “I was in Ottawa and spoke hours before the shooting of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo while guarding the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and like the death of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent shows, our military is still serving us.”
Strong noted there would be two Iraqi bases named in honour of the two fallen soldiers. Patrol Base Cirillo and Camp Vincent have been renamed effective Remembrance Day to commemorate the two men.
Trooper Numi Stefanson, now of Innisfail, was honoured with France's highest non-citizen award as a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour in recognition of his service to free France.
“I am honoured to present this medal to you, on behalf of the President of the Republic of France, and thank you for your part in freeing France during the Second World War,” said Strong while presenting the international honour. “This medal has been given to only 600 individuals, of whom 6000 were deemed to be eligible worldwide. “
The Second World War veteran served in the 12th Manitoba Dragoons and was part of the armoured car regiment as either driver or co-driver.
“I remember being on the barge along with our ‘cars', or staghounds that held five men,” said Stefanson after the ceremony. “ Driver, co-driver, gunner, radio man, and our sergeant fit into a small cockpit.”
He remembered going to Edmonton trying to fit into the interior and he couldn't anymore.
“When bullets are flying, you sure are able to fit into tight sport,” he said.
Stefanson was one of the initial Canadians who landed on the beaches of Normandy from Britain, and military duty took him from the beaches of France to Belgium, and finally to Germany.
The veteran calls Innisfail's Country Manor home and fellow 12th Manitoba Dragoon member, Cameron McNab, lives in Sunset Manor. McNab was not present for the ceremony.
Due to inclement weather, the laying of the wreaths was done indoors, with # 7 Penhold Cadet Squadron escorting the dignitaries to the front of the auditorium.
Innisfail's Kathleen MacPherson played the Last Post, and two minutes of silence was observed. This was followed by Piper's Lament and Reveille.
A short luncheon was served after for guests and attendees.
