Sundre Ladies Auxiliary member Blanche Loreth placed the first wreath of remembrance for the Mothers of Canada during Friday's Remembrance Day ceremony at the Sundre Legion Branch #223 hall.
The service was conducted by the Sundre Legion and Ladies Auxiliary, with legion president Doug McMow and ladies' president Rhonda Fullerton speaking to the full-house audience, which included many young families.
In his address, Legion Chaplain Tim Kirby commended veterans for their service and called on audience members to carry on their efforts to better communities here and abroad. “We are the peacekeepers and the peacemakers,” said Kirby. “We give ourselves for others around the world. We defend people at our cost.”
Other wreaths of remembrance were laid on behalf of the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Town of Sundre, Mountain View County, Royal Canadian Legion, Ladies Auxiliary, Fallen Comrades, Sundre and Area Veterans, the United Church, the Lions Club, the BPO Elks and Royal Purple, Knights of Columbus, Sundre Museum, Air Cadets, Army Cadets, Sundre Forest Products, Shell Canada, Sundre Sobeys, Chamber of Commerce, SPOG, A&W, CIR Realty, Royal Services, Waschuk Pipelines, Frontier Machines, Pappy's Safety, and by three serving members of the Sundre Fire Department.
The Sundre Community Choir performed a number of songs under the direction of Jean Dickman.
Hershell A. Smith Memorial Awards (worth $500 each) were presented to David McDonald, Ashley Thompson, Sarah Erickson and Codee Koch.
A message from Prime Minister Stephen Harper was read during the service. It stated, in part, “From Vimy Ridge to Afghanistan, these heroes (veterans) fulfilled the highest duty of any citizen: to defend the fundamental principles of freedom, democracy and justice.”
Ladies Auxiliary president Fullerton called on residents to come forward and join the auxiliary or the legion “to ensure there are many more Remembrance Day services here.”
The Ladies Auxiliary presented cheques (totalling $5,000) as bursaries and to community groups such as the Didsbury Army Cadets, the Olds Air Cadets, the Sundre Band Parents, the Town of Sundre for public skating, the Sundre Skatepark, and Sundre Community Van.
Meanwhile, River Valley Grade 1 student Daven Comfort and Grade 6 student Tanner Grunau laid a wreath of remembrance on behalf of their fellow students during the Remembrance ceremony at the school on Thursday.
Legion president Doug McMow commended the students, teachers and staffs at both schools for recognizing veterans and currently serving members of Canada's armed forces.
“It's great that so many young people are taking part in this Remembrance ceremony,” said McMow.
Legion chaplain Kirby told River Valley students that Canada's war veterans showed great character in helping those in need.
“Something in them drove them to do things that were heroic,” said Kirby. “We remember those who had the character to do what they did so we have freedom today.”
The Grade 8 band performed several numbers, and the River Valley Choir sang two songs, “Sing for Peace” and “In Flander's Fields”. The words of the first song include the line, “Sing for peace for children everywhere.”
Band flutist Maria Himmelreich performed Brahm's “Lullaby”.
During the high school ceremony, students Morgann Lynn and Noah Bradley laid a wreath of remembrance on behalf of all the school's students. Teacher Chris Mertens and Tyler Jesse laid a wreath on behalf of teachers and staff.
MC Lisa Wilson called on students and teachers to “remember those who fought for us in the past and those who continue to serve.”
Wilson told guests that 2011 is the 95th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, where about 200,000 British, including Newfoundland and Canadian soldiers, died.
On the first day of the Somme campaign, July 1, 1917, the Battle of Beumount Hamel was fought by the Newfoundland Regiment, which suffered more than 700 casualties out of 800 men, including 14 pairs of brothers killed.
Veterans Affairs Canada has made recognition of the Beaumont Hamel battle part of its 2011 Remembrance Day campaign.
In Newfoundland and Labrador July 1 is still recognized as Memorial Day in recognition of the battle. The Newfoundland Regiment later received the ‘Royal' designation for its First World War service, the only British Army unit so recognized.
The high school band, under the direction of Dianne Irvine, performed several songs.
Current serving Canadian soldier Cpl. Mike Irwin gave an address during the ceremony.
“Our veterans have fought for the freedoms we enjoy,” said Irwin, who is originally from Didsbury and is a member of the Calgary Highlanders.
“Today we have a whole new group of veterans (who served in Afghanistan) who need our assistance,” he said. “Canada has a strong and proud military legacy.”
Part of the high school ceremony also included a video presentation in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
MC Wilson told audience members that the 9/11 anniversary is a time to remember and thank those who serve in the military.
“That day had an impact on all of us,” she said.
Student Jill Jackson recited “In Flander's Fields”.
Over the years Canadian veterans “responded to the injustices around us. They heard, they saw, and they acted. We are free today but will we always be? It's up to you. We are the peacekeepers and the peacemakers.”
Student musicians Sydney Reimer and Jesse Arkell performed an original piece called “The Forgotten”.
Cadet members of the Royal Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force took part in both school ceremonies. They were Master Cpl. Killaby, Cpl. Dumas, Sgt. Smith, Cpl. Smith, Sgt. Harvey and Chief Warrant Botham.
During the high school ceremony, Cpl. Cassandra Killaby recited her poem “The Messenger”, which included the lines, “If they don't make it, we hope they know, that Canada remembers them, while they lay row on row.”
