Hundreds of residents of all ages attended Remembrance Day ceremonies in Carstairs, Didsbury and Cremona, marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War and paying tribute to local veterans.
The Carstairs ceremony, held in the Hugh Sutherland School gymnasium, was hosted by the Carstairs and District Legion Branch #53.
The service saw local Grade 6 student Jaiden Barker recite her essay We Remember Them, which included the following lines:
“We remember the days of war because they fought for us and for freedom. I can’t even imagine the war, fighting, the injuries and the death. Thank you for your sacrifice that allows us to live today in peace. Pray for the soldiers that gave us peace, freedom and justice. Peace is all the soldiers wanted and to return home to their families. We lay the wreath for you in peace.”
Barker is the great-granddaughter of late Carstairs Legion member Della Johnston, who died last year.
In his address during the service, Pastor Ian Mason said, in part, that, “Because of what men and women went through in all the wars that have taken place, people such as you and I are winners. We are able to live in peace, free from the dangers they experienced. And so on a day such as this we give thanks. We remember and we will always be grateful for their sacrifices.”
The ceremony included the reading of the names of the 28 Carstairs and area soldiers, sailors and airmen who died in the First and Second World Wars and in the Korean War.
Members of the Olds-based 185 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron and the Didsbury-based 3025 Royal Canadian Army Cadets Corps took park in the ceremony again this year.
The Carstairs school band played several numbers during the ceremony.
More than 300 people attended the service in Cremona, put on by the Cremona and District Legion Branch #172.
Many of those in attendance came from Water Valley and surrounding area again this year.
Canadian forces veteran Cam McRae was the keynote speaker at the Cremona service, talking about his experiences during a 10-minute address.
More than $300 was gathered (cash and donations) for the veterans' food bank during the service.
The Didsbury ceremony took place at Zion Evangelical Missionary Church and was hosted by the 3025 Royal Canadian Army Cadets Corps.
As in past years, hundreds of residents from town and the surrounding area attended.
The service began with the entrance of the colour party and the performing of O Canada by the Didsbury Valley Voices.
Rev. Bruce Archer gave a message about the cost of freedom and the sacrifice made by the soldiers.
Local resident and Second World War veteran Bill Jepps then read the poem In Flanders Field and the honour roll of those in the area who gave their lives for their country.
Teena Trick-Wilks performed the Last Post on bugle before two minutes of silence, followed by Trick-Wilks playing Reveille.
After a song from the Valley Voices, the laying of the wreaths began. Just over a dozen people representing a number of groups and organizations laid wreaths in front of the stage.
The Valley Voices then performed a beautiful rendition of Hallelujah followed by God Save the Queen.
Rev. Colin Creighton then read the benediction. The service concluded with the retiring of the colour party.
Communities in the region recognized the 100-year anniversary of the end of the First World War by ringing bells at sunset on Nov. 11, in the Bancroft United Church in Carstairs, the museum in Didsbury, and the former United Church in Cremona.
