Since the dawn of civilization, humans have over the course of settling across the globe largely been driven by an innate desire to control others who are different from themselves.
“Control of others is a demanding trait in humanity,” said Tim Kirby, the Sundre Royal Canadian Legion Branch #223 comrade chaplain, during the annual community Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 11.
The event was held for the first time ever at River Valley School with a larger-than-average turnout of more than 400 people.
“What is it about humanity that brings us to the place of wounding and killing others? Others who disagree, who are in opposition, who are of a different colour, who are of a different religion, who are of a different place and being?” he mused.
In an attempt to preserve ourselves at all costs, “we can utterly annihilate others by any and all means, no matter who they are.”
He spoke of the struggle between truth and untruth, “that which illuminates and that which brings darkness.”
“The truth,” he said, “is that which does not move…this truth is love.”
He said that means doing the best for one another, regardless of the personal cost.
“As we live this love by doing the best for others, we honour our fallen. We stand with them and the promises of that peace, that justice, that contentment, which they have been led to believe” and fight for, he said.
“We remember and we honour those who died giving us the Canada that we have because there’s no greater love than a person laying down their life for another.”
The service featured traditional elements from the colour party marching the flags to the piper and bugler playing Last Post, Lament and Reveille. It also included the Sundre Community Choir’s renditions of Danny Boy and We Will Be a Shelter for Each Other under the direction of Jennifer Day.
The service concluded following the laying of wreaths, with the chaplain encouraging everyone to “remember our duty to our branch, our comrades, our country and our sovereign. May we ever strive to promote unity and the spirit of comradeship.”
