Master Warrant Officer Scott Schall will speak at the Historical Society's next meeting, focusing on the crucial roles this region's military veterans have played throughout history.--Photo courtesy Historical Society of Medicine Hat and District
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
The next general meeting of the Historical Society of Medicine Hat and District will focus on remembering and honouring the region’s veterans and their efforts.
Medicine Hat has a long and distinguished military history, says R.B. Shepard, president of the Historical Society.
“One of the legends of the origin of our community’s name involved a battle fought near here,” said Shepard. “And the Second Riel Resistance in 1885 caused the Canadian Federal Government to send a regiment of soldiers from the Maritimes to our community to guard the CPR Bridge in case it was attacked.”
In addition, veterans from both World Wars, the Korean War, the conflict in Afghanistan, as well as various peacekeeping ventures have all called Medicine Hat their home, both men and women who have answered the call of their country, said Shepard. British soldiers once stationed with the British Army Training Unit Suffield often also return to retire here and have become involved with the community.
What all of these brave folks have asked is to be remembered, said Shepard, and the society is keen to do its part to assist in such a goal.
At the meeting on Nov. 21, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Monarch Theatre, the guest speaker will be retired Master Warrant Officer Scott Schall, who will offer a presentation focused on local connections to the military and what the society can do to better preserve memories of those people and places.
Serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and its Allies, veterans and members of military families are invited to join members of the society in this tribute to Medicine Hat’s veterans, said Shepard.
