OLDS — Hundreds of people came out to the Community Learning Campus gym in Olds for Remembrance Day services after more than two years of COVID-19 restrictions.
Chaplin Harold Hunter of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105 was happy to see that.
“It’s good to be back home again and it’s good to back here in the auditorium again after a three-year absence,” Hunter said, sparking strong applause.
Hunter was equally happy for the warm, sunny day that enabled the Legion to hold a second, but very brief ceremony at the cenotaph in Centennial Park, attended by a few dozen people.
During the service in the gym, Rev. John Campbell was among several speakers who reminded the audience of the purpose of the gathering.
During his meditation, he said, “the tradition of our gathering on this occasion keeps the memories of thousands more lives that made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Campbell noted his own family and extended family have been hurt directly by war.
His brother-in-law was killed during the Korean War.
His uncle came home from the Second World War, but suffered from shrapnel wounds in his back which served “as a constant reminder of his fighting for the freedom of others.”
“The losses have been enormous and the freedom that has been preserved is priceless,” Johnston said.
“The freedom that you and I enjoy was not purchased with gold or silver, but with the blood, sweat and tears of the ones that we are honouring today. They died so that we might live.”
Town of Olds Mayor Judy Dahl also paid tribute to all those who lost their lives or loved ones during war or peace keeping duties.
“Now I have not sacrificed anything for my freedom,” she said. “It was given to me by those who came before me; many of our ancestors who sacrificed so much.
“I am grateful to assemble with you in the memory of those who dedicated their lives to maintaining our peace in the country and around the world. Lest we forget.”
Chaplain Charles Johnston recited a couple of Bible readings including Psalm 121 which, in part, reads:
“I lift up my eyes to the hills from where will come my help,” and “the Lord will keep you from all evil. He will keep your life.”
Johnston also gave a reading from the Gospel of Matthew which reads, in part, “blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be the called children of God.”
In addition, Johnston read a prayer.
“Oh God our father, we thank you for those valued hearts who, at the call of sovereign and country, laid down their lives in the cause of freedom.
“We pray that we may uphold the torch entrusted to us, so that their sacrifice may not have been in vain.
“Unite all the peace-loving peoples of our world in one holy purpose: to defend the principles of freedom and brotherhood for which these valiant hearts lived and died. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”
The Alberta Justice and Solicitor General Regimental Pipes & Drums performed Amazing Grace and Alyssa Focker, an air cadet chief warrant officer, recited the famous poem In Flanders Fields.
A local band, Nuff Said, performed two pieces of music.
One was Shoes Of A Man by Maria Dunn, which says in part,
“I walked as a soldier, they carried me home
My chest with a bullet and a wallet now torn
Every snapshot was pierced, faces young and serene
Just the friends of a soldier in 1917.”
Buglar Chelsea Black performed The Last Post and Reveille and a member of the Pipe & Drums Band performed The Lament.
Shirley Peters, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105, recited The Act of Remembrance:
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
Nuff Said performed another song: Brothers In Arms, by Dire Straits, which says in part:
“Through these fields of destruction
Baptisms of fire
I've witnessed your suffering
As the battle raged high
And though they did hurt me so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms.”
Another portion of the song reads:
“Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But it's written in the starlight
And every line in your palm
We're fools to make war
On our brothers in arms.”
More than 40 wreaths were laid at the cenotaph on behalf of the government of Canada, the province, the town of Olds, Mountain View County, the armed forces, cadets, the Olds Fire Department, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology president Ben Cecil and countless other entities, groups, clubs and organizations.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105 president Sheila Peters thanked all those who made the event possible.
After the crowd sang God Save The King, the colours were marched off and the service ended.
In Centennial Park, a colour guard stood attention as Peters delivered a wreath.
Chaplain Hunter recited a prayer which in part said, “You’re the one that brings peace to our hearts so that we can impart that to others.”
Participants again sang God Save The King.
