OLDS — The seventh No Stone Left Alone ceremony to honour those who sacrificed their lives in war for freedom was held Nov. 4 at the Olds Cemetery.
About 40 members of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire (IODE) Baron Tweedsmuir chapter, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105, dignitaries, and scores of school children attended the approximately hour-long event.
Dignitaries gave speeches and students participated by, among other things, singing O Canada, playing The Last Post, reciting the famous Poem In Flanders Fields, and by placing flags and poppies on or by the grave stones of fallen military personnel in the cemetery.
The Last Post was played and was followed by two minutes of silence. Piper Dave Clemens played the Lament and wreaths were laid at the cenotaph.
"I didn't know this until just recently; I’m proud of the fact that IODE Baron Tweedsmuir chapter of Olds is the only chapter of IODE across Canada that does this,” IODE Baron Tweedsmuir chapter president Dianne Powney said.
To the students gathered she said, "you make us so proud of you and what you do for us. It’s such a great feeling to be able to do this and have the support of our community.”
Powney told the crowd that Maureen Purvis of Edmonton founded No Stone Left Alone.
Her mother and father served in the Second World War and Purvis promised her mother on her deathbed that she would do something to honour the sacrifices of those who fought for the country.
Mayor Judy Dahl said participation in the ceremony “gives us a better understanding and appreciation of the importance to remember and respect history.
“On behalf of all the elected officials and all the people of Olds and area, I am proud to stand with you all in respect of remembrance and education of our past, our present, our children and our families for the future.”
Red Deer Mountain View Member of Parliament Earl Dreeshen said as a former teacher he too was gratified to see so many students present at and participating in the event.
“The young people here today that will be spreading out along the cemetery to place poppies on these grave stones are replicating the respect of those whose lives were forever changed by the bravery of our Canadian Forces,” he said.
“Schoolchildren in the Netherlands tend to similar head stones at the final resting place of young soldiers who gave their lives for freedom. It’s an act of reverance that should never be forgotten.”
IODE Alberta president Valerie Braiden also addressed the crowd.
Braiden noted the late Queen Elizabeth II devoted her life to serving the people of the Commonwealth. She volunteered in the Second World War, training as a truck mechanic, becoming the first female member of the royal family to serve in the military.
“The men and women of our armed forces have also pledged themselves to our service; to serve and protect our freedoms, often at great cost,” she said.
Braiden also quoted a poem written by an IODE Heritage New Brunswick member who passed away.
In part it read:
“There are thousands of me
Who laid down our lives
So you could be free.”
Harold Hunter 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; for those who have given themselves in defence of freedom, mercy and good faith among the nations and for those who in life and death have protected our lives.”
Royal Legion Branch #105 president Sheila Peters recited a portion of the famous poem For the Fallen, written by Laurence Binyon, an English poet, dramatist and art scholar.
“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.”
The Albertan interviewed a couple of Grade 8 students, Kaidence Staloknecht and Pyper Berlett, who were among the many who laid poppies and Canadian flags on or adjacent to grave stones of local men and women who fought.
They were asked what it was like to attend and participate in the ceremony.
“Kind of just knowing that we had a role in leadership. It was part of being a part of leadership,” Staloknecht said. “It was a good thing to do.”
Berlett voiced a similar thought.
“When we do Remembrance Day, we’re obviously remembering, but I feel like doing this feels makes it feel like we’re doing something more, like we’re physically doing something too,” she said.
