The mood was solemn as about 1,000 people packed the Westlock & District Community Hall on Friday for Remembrance Day ceremonies.
It was the largest such ceremony in the region, but not the only one. More than 100 people packed the Clyde Community Hall for a celebration in the village, as well.
The rainy, overcast weather added to the solemn mood — something that Westlock Legion president Steve Folkins, who acted as M.C. at the Westlock ceremony, made note of.
“It’s appropriate we see this kind of weather,” he said. “It reminds us what our soldiers might have experienced.”
In his opening address to the crowd Folkins emphasized the need not only to remember the fallen soldiers, but to remember why these soldiers were in harm’s way to begin with and what they might have experienced in combat zones. “It’s not just names on a cenotaph. It’s family, friends, neighbours — there are experiences attached to these names,” he said.
The deputy commander of this Legion district, Arnold Royko, briefly addressed the audience on behalf of Legion Command, again emphasizing the need to honour the sacrifices made by not only veterans, but by their families as well.
“Let us remember the immediate families — husbands, wives, and especially the children,” he said. “They fight the loneliest battle of all.”
Dozens of community groups laid wreaths at the temporary cenotaph in the hall, as well as some committed individuals who laid wreaths on behalf of loved ones.
Cheryl Stevens laid a particularly noteworthy wreath, one she has been laying for five years. It has one poppy for every Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan, as well as a yellow ribbon for the approximately 2,000 soldiers still in that country.
“I’ll keep coming out and doing this until the last one comes home,” she said, “Then I’ll lay the wreath to rest.”
Following the indoor service, Legion Chaplain Marjorie Steele led a smaller service at the cenotaph outside the municipal library.
About 50 people attended, with a few laying wreaths at that cenotaph, as well. Steele said a few words, then about two dozen doves were released.
She said that while there is not an outdoor ceremony every year, she feels it’s important to hold a service at the cenotaph.
“It’s important because the names of our war dead are listed on the cenotaph,” she said. “I said that rain or shine, we were going to come out to remember our dead.”
She added that having served in the military herself, she feels it’s crucial to remember the sacrifices our soldiers made even if we don’t agree with the wars they were fighting.
“I don’t believe in war, but I believe in remembering,” she said.
Master of Ceremonies Isaac Brower-Berkhoven led a brief service at Clyde Community Hall, which honoured area veterans and paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for Canada.
The ceremony included a roll of sacrifice, where more than a dozen names of area soldiers were read while veterans and many in attendance bowed their heads. These names also appear etched on the Clyde cenotaph.
Pastor Chris Lantz led the singing of two hymns and said a prayer of remembrance, which thanked veterans for the Canada we know and love today, adding Canadians sometimes forget the sacrifices made for our freedoms, causing many to take advantage of them for mere “comforts.”
“Other places in the world riot for freedom,” he said. “We riot for sports teams.”
The ceremony included all ages, with children pinning their poppies on a cross as well as Grade 5 student Josie Serson reciting In Flanders Fields.
Soldiers from the Lord Strathcona Horse Troop were also present, as they have been for several years, and led the group across the street to the Clyde cenotaph where local organizations and veterans laid wreaths, honouring the sacrifices veterans.
