South Alberta Pipes and Drums helped to lead the Remembrance Day parade.--NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Hundreds of Hatters showed support for veterans past and present during Medicine Hat’s annual Remembrance Day service and cenotaph ceremony, held Friday.
The day began with a memorial service held at the Esplanade, officiated by Padre Ron MacDonald of Medicine Hat’s Royal Canadian Legion, Robertson Memorial Branch No. 17.
“Remembrance requires action,” MacDonald told the almost overflowing audience. “(Remembrance) not only honours those who served and are serving; it carries with it the promise we will learn from our mistakes.”
Between scripture and song, MacDonald acknowledged the many Canadian lives lost during war and world conflicts. And he encouraged audience members to reflect on the impact such sacrifices had and continue to have for Canadians.
He also acknowledged active service members, inviting several to assist him in a variety of poem readings, including ‘My Friend’ and ‘In Flanders Fields’ by Canadian poets Rachel Graham and Col. John McCrae, and ‘We Shall Keep the Faith’ by American poet Moina Michael.
The service also included music by the Medicine Hat College Girls’ Choir, the South Alberta Pipes and Drums and the Medicine Hat Concert Band Society.
One particularly beautiful moment of the ceremony which left audience members agape took place during a performance of ‘Amazing Grace’ when poppies rained down from the ceiling.
Approximately one hour in length, the service concluded around 10:30, giving attendees time to prepare for the Remembrance Day parade, in which veterans and active service members walked from the Esplanade to Riverside Veterans Memorial Park.
By the time the parade set off, Hatters of all ages had lined both sides of First Street SE – which was closed for the event – to show their support to those in the parade.
Even more Hatters welcomed the parade as it arrived at the park and settled in front of the war cenotaph.
A cenotaph ceremony followed, which included two minutes of silence, a commitment to remember by all in attendance and the laying of wreathes by different service divisions, as well as local government representatives MP Glen Motz and Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes.
Apparent as the ceremony concluded was the impact it had on younger generations, with one young Hatter remarking, “I won’t forget. I’m going to wear my (poppy) flower for every day ever.”
