CANORA - This is to inform our Canora and area public regarding our annual Remembrance Day activities and to encourage participation. Our local Royal Canadian Legion branch and the Canora Ministerial Association have requested this article.
The service takes place on Nov. 11 each year, which recalls the ending date of the First World War. The purpose of this is to thank, honour, respect and remember those who died, served, and continue to serve their country. The wars have been the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War and the Afghanistan War.
Canadian peacekeeping operations continue now in the world, providing us with more veterans. Canada currently has 2,000 troops stationed in 20 locations including the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis. Our veterans have served us very well indeed. Just think what the world would be like had we lost either of the World Wars! In no small way, we owe our current lives’ status to our veterans.
It would be truly tragic if the service, suffering, and deaths of veterans were not publicly acknowledged, as if their death and service would have been in vain. So that is what we intend on this day – respect and remembrance for what they did for our freedom and peace.
Last year, the participation numbers were 105 at the Cenotaph, 32 at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, and 40 at the Legion Dugout meal. These are certainly low numbers compared to past years perhaps due to COVID-19; perhaps thinking there are no more veterans; and perhaps because it is a statutory holiday. Volunteer members of our local Royal Canadian Legion and Ministerial Association offer these services to complement each other. It is hoped that people will attend all three.
Veterans are those who perished, those who served, and those who continue to serve from military service including Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) members. Currently we have a few retired RCMP members, several serving RCMP members, and a British military veteran.
The first Remembrance Day service begins at 10:45 a.m. at the Cenotaph in front of the town office and lasts one-half hour. The Cenotaph is a permanent memorial honouring those who died serving their country. At 11:30 a.m., an ecumenical religious service for all people begins at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, also lasting one half hour; the Canora Ministerial Association sponsors this. Then we proceed to the Legion dugout, kitty corner to the elementary school for a delicious meal, time of socializing, meeting with veterans and brief reflection. Last year 88 meals were prepared and 40 people showed.
Our Royal Canadian Legion Branch consists of volunteer members and will accept more. You do not need to be a veteran, all you need is to apply and pay a modest fee. Please do come out on Nov. 11 at 10:45 a.m. and show you support our veterans.
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