ATHABASCA - Remembrance Day events in Athabasca will be a quiet, low-key affair this year, because of COVID-19, but all who served, will still be honoured on November 11, by those they fought for.
In previous years, up to 400 or more people have packed into the Fieldhouse at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex to observe groups like the 230 Athabasca Royal Canadian Air Cadet Cadets and the Legion Colour Guard, along with local dignitaries honour local veterans and fallen soldiers, but not this year, says Athabasca Legion president Brian Scott.
“We're going to hold a small, little ceremony at the Cenotaph across the Legion; there are probably about a half a dozen or so wreaths being laid. I don't think there'll be any more than that, simply because of the outside weather,” said Scott who added they will still have Reveille and Last Post played.
Scott said if there are residents who do want to watch, the event will start at 10:45 a.m. and will follow AHS guidelines for physical distancing.
As for the schools, Edwin Parr Composite will have students doing activities in their classrooms and Landing Trail Intermediate School will hold a school-wide outdoor event weather permitting. If the weather does not cooperate there will be a virtual ceremony and an educational component on the importance of the day as well as choir and poem readings and a minute of silence.
Whispering Hills Primary School will post a video of students reading and sharing artwork on their Facebook Page. Rochester School will be tying ribbons to the fence either at the cemetery or the school on Nov. 6 and the theme is ‘No Stone Left Alone.’
Grassland School will also be holding their Remembrance Day on Nov. 6 with a virtual ceremony at 10:45 a.m. followed by two minutes of silence.
The local air cadet squadron have just returned to meeting Oct. 14, but under strict physical distancing protocols, and will not be taking part in the limited Legion ceremony.
The Boyle Royal Canadian Legion #169 has decided not to hold any public events.
Athabasca Legion #103 Honour Roll of those killed in action:
Gunner R. Birks; Wilfred Bilsky; Alex Chernish; Julian Chernish; Gunner R.B. Evans; Gerald Falletti; Arthur Guscott (WWI); A. Hope; Gordon Ivey; Clifford Jewell; Trooper William LeMessurier; Sgt. H.R. Lewis; Pvt. L. Lennie; Pvt. James Albert Minns (WWI); Sgt. Glen Miller; Pvt. S.R. Overacker; JB W.F. Potvin; C.S.M. L. Pauquette; Max Pelluet (WWI); Pvt. Mike Ropchan; Frederick Read (Vimy Ridge, WWI); Pvt. P. Schwaga; Sgt. Paul Soluk; Cpl. Alphonse Senz; Sgt. John Stirling; William Blair Scoffield (WWI); Sgt. J.B. Taylor; Pvt. B.W. Thomas; Fred Trotter (Dieppe); Gunner J.H. Vadheim; Pvt. F.M. Wachter; Cpl. F. Wagstaff; David Walsh (WWI)
In memory of members of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER), Edmonton who lost their lives while on duty in Afghanistan:
Sgt. Shawn Eades; Cpl. Dustin Wasden; Sapper Stephan Stock; Sapper Steven Marshall; Sapper Brian Collier: Sgt. Martin Goudreault: Sgt. George Miok
Thank you to the Athabasca Royal Canadian Legion #103 for providing the names of the fallen.
