Medicine Hat residents gather Monday to honour fallen soldiers during the annual Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance Day Service and 11th-hour ceremony at the Cenotaph in Riverside Veterans' Memorial Park.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
The gallant sound of the Last Post, played on bugle, blasted throughout Riverside Veterans Memorial Park, followed by two minutes of silence, as hundreds gathered Monday at the Cenotaph to honour Canadian veterans for the city’s annual Remembrance Day ceremony.
Beginning with the procession of flags and followed by the singing of the national anthem, a full house attended the annual Royal Canadian Legion Annual Remembrance Day Service held at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre theatre, requiring overflow seating.
Comrade Sheila Donner provided the president’s welcome and spoke about Canada’s significant war efforts during the First World War, as more than 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served with more than 66,000 gave their lives and another 172,000 were wounded. At the time Canada had a population of little more than 8 million.
Canada stepped up its war efforts again during the Second World War as more than 1,159,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served, and more than 44,000 made the ultimate sacrifice.
More than 125,000 Canadians have since 1954 served in dozens of peacekeeping missions in countries including Syria, Somalia, Rwanda. Haiti, Cambodia and the Balkans to support peace and stability.
The Medicine Hat Concert Band, plus Eric Kean and the South Alberta Pipe & Drums, provided live music while the Medicine Hat College Girls’ Choir performed songs including ‘Inscription of Hope.’
Three local cadets recited poems, including ‘In Flanders Field,’ ‘Honouring The Fallen’ and ‘We Shall Keep the Faith.’
During a service message Padre Cpt. Ron MacDonald highlighted the trauma associated with serving overseas, recalling how “battered and torn” several soldiers were when they returned home.
“Those who came back that are really challenged, really hurting – those we want to remember today as well,” said MacDonald. “Veterans of every war should stand tall today, it is our right to stand tall as veterans.
“We must carefully give thought to things we once took for granted, the fact that we are free in this way today, to pay tribute to those who gave so much for you and I.”
MacDonald recited scripture Psalm 46 and 23 while providing a prayer for peace in the world, especially in Europe and the Middle East, before calling to support current and future service members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
“That torch that we carry must be turned over to them,” he said. “It’s a legacy to be cherished and continue together, we gather together to remember and honour those who fought and those who died fighting. Lest we forget, lest we forget.”
MacDonald thanked the sacrifices from families of those serving in the military who were and are separated from their loved ones before the service concluded with the Recession of Colours.
A solemn procession followed which included soldiers, cadets, veterans and first responders who marched along First Street toward the Cenotaph for the 11th-hour ceremony.
Four honour guards stood watch over the Cenotaph as residents and dignitaries gathered to pay their respects, including members of the wreath party Premier Danielle Smith, Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright, Mayor Linnsie Clark and MP Glen Motz.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony members of the public were invited to place a poppy on the cenotaph to show their respect.
