OLDS — Students, members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105 and members of the IODE Baron Tweedsmuir chapter took part in the eighth annual No Stone Left Alone ceremony Nov. 3 at the Olds Cemetery.
The service pays tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in war and conflict for the freedoms enjoyed today.
Students are directly involved in the hope they will remember and appreciate those sacrifices into the future. This year, students from Ecole Deer Meadow School and Holy Trinity Catholic School participated.
The weather was warm and sunny as the event began. In fact, the snow was melting in places.
Dianne Powney, the citizens’ officer for the IODE Baron Tweedsmuir chapter, served as MC for the occasion and welcomed participants to the service.
She noted that Maureen Purvis of Edmonton founded No Stone Left Alone and read a message from her.
“As Remembrance Day approaches, I want to thank all of you for taking the opportunity to pay tribute to our men and women in uniform; to show our appreciation to our veterans and to honour the memory of those who bravely gave their lives in service to Canada.
“The ceremony today reminds us how important it is to remember. If we keep their memory alive, we are doing our part towards a peaceful future.”
Mayor Judy Dahl was the lone political representative at this year’s service.
She told the crowd that Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper, Red Deer-Mountain View MP Earl Dreeshen and Mountain View County Reeve Angela Aalbers all had other commitments to keep.
“It’s with gratitude that we all stand here together,” Dahl said.
“Your participation in the No Stone Left Alone ceremony of remembrance gives us all an opportunity to place a living presence – that's your energy – a living presence, to our loved ones and gives us a better understanding and appreciation of the importance of history.”
IODE Alberta president Valerie Braiden also addressed the crowd.
She said the ceremony is especially relevant in light of conflict elsewhere in the world, like the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war in the Gaza Strip.
“You may ask what we can do,” Braiden said. “We can start as we did today, by remembering and appreciating the sacrifices that have been made by Canadian military personnel and will continue to do so to foster peace in our troubled world; not just today but give thanks every day and remember.”
Student Charlotte Reist sang Oh Canada.
Sandi Hoppins’ Grade 8-1École Deer Meadow School class recited the famous poem In Flanders Fields.
Leslie Manchur of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 105 gave the prayer to remembrance.
“Eternal God, creator and sustainer of all humanity, we thank you for all who have laboured for liberty, justice and peace,” she said.
“For those who have given themselves in defence for freedom, mercy and good faith among the nations and for those who in life and death, have protected our lives and through these sacrifices, we have prospered.
“As we hold the dead in continual remembrance, enable us to walk with clean hearts, determined wills and great hope. And help us to preserve the peace and fairness they defended.”
Holy Trinity Catholic School students Marley Locke and Pasindu Walisundara gave The Commitment to Remember.
"They were young as we were young. They served, giving freely of themselves. To them we pledge, amid the wings of time. They carry their torch and never forget; we will remember them.”
Sheila Peters of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 105 recited the Act of Remembrance.
“They shall not grow old
“as we that are left grow old.
“Age shall not wear them,
“nor the years condemn.
“At the going down of the sun
“nd in the morning,
“We will remember them.”
Paul Miller of Three Hills played the The Last Post, which was followed by two minutes of silence.
Piper Daniel Anderson of Sundre then played The Lament.
Miller followed that with Rouse and wreaths were laid at the cenotaph.
Then students, with help from teachers, sought out the graves of people killed due to war and conflict. When they found one, they placed a flag and poppy in remembrance and appreciation for their sacrifice.
Manchur had some advice for the students on how best to do so.
‘If you’re facing the gravesite, place the flag on the right side of the grave, because with the person laying in the grave, that is the left side for them, which is their heart," she said.
