OLDS — The Baron Tweedsmuir chapter of the International Order of the Daughters of the Empire (IODE) in Olds held its ninth annual No Stone Left Alone ceremony to honour local war veterans Nov. 1 at the Olds Cemetery.
In previous years there’s been snow or even no snow. This year, there was fog.
Gathered for the event were members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105, Town of Olds council members, members of the IODE, as well students from École Deer Meadow School (ÉDMS) and Holy Trinity Catholic School.
The ceremony began when the colour guard marched out of the mist past the cenotaph.
After ÉDMS student Abby Wood gave the land acknowledgement, deputy mayor James Cummings, an armed forces veteran, addressed the gathering.
“On this important day, we pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms,” Cummings said.
He addressed the students, noting that after the ceremony, they’d be placing memorials on the grave stones of veterans in honour of their sacrifices.
“This act may seem small, but it carries immense significance,” Cummings said. “Each memorial you place is a reminder that we remember, that we honour and we are grateful.
“These brave individuals served our country in times of war and in peace. They fought not only for the values we hold dear, but for also for the very future of generations (to come).
“As young students you may wonder why this matters. It matters because remembrance is a powerful act. It connects us to our history and to those who came before us.
“By honouring these heroes, we ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten.”
IODE Alberta president Janis Ogilvie also spoke.
“For nine years now, you have honoured and remembered the veterans of World Wars 1 and 2 plus the other conflicts that have occurred in the world over the past 100-plus years,” Ogilvie said.
“Today, you are honouring the veterans of those conflicts who are buried here in Olds. Some still have family here to remember them, but many do not.
“You are bringing their memory to the forefront today with the poppies you are placing on their graves.
“Thank you for this. Let us remember them and their fight for precious peace. Let us continue to strive for peace throughout the world.”
After École Dear Meadow School student Ryder Colbert sang O Canada, Sandi Hoppins’ ÉDMS Grade 8-1 class recited the famous poem In Flanders Fields.
Padre Charlie Johnston of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 105 then read the Prayer of Remembrance
Holy Trinity Catholic School Grade 4 student Kane Stallknecht recited the Commitment To Remember:
“They were young as we are young.
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them we pledge, amid the winds of time
To carry their torch and never forget.”
Sheila Peters of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105 recited the Act of Remembrance, part of a poem by Lawrence Binyon:
“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.”
“We will remember them,” the crowd replied.
ÉDMS student Chelsea Kitzul played the Last Post, which was followed by two minutes of silence.
Piper Dave Clemens then played The Lament.
Kitzul followed that with Rouse.
Peters and Ogilvie then laid wreaths at the cenotaph.
After that, students placed memorials at the gravesites of war veterans with the help of teachers or Cummings.
