The Royal Canadian Legion Speers-Hafford Branch No.116 held their 64th Remembrance Day service at the Hafford Communiplex Nov. 11. More than 125 people were in attendance.
The service began with Peter Kingsmill marching in the colours, carried by the air cadets, Legion members and dignitaries. The Act of Remembrance, 鈥淭o Our Heroic Dead,鈥� was recited by Kingsmill.
Representing the air cadets was Sec. Lt. Sherry Legacy along with four air cadets. The RCMP was represented by Cst. Jared Rau.
This year Pastor Conrad Hunchak gave the invocation and scripture reading. The Speers United Church choir sang The Lord鈥檚 Prayer and a hymn, Put Peace into Each Other鈥檚 Hands. A Tribute to the veterans, a newly produced video honouring the service personnel from the local area who gave their lives in the two Great Wars, was shown. A letter from the premier of Saskatchewan was read.
A wreath, representing all mothers, was laid by Esther Tkachuk and Cristine Gonda. Cst. Rau laid a wreath on behalf of the RCMP and Alan Tanchak laid a wreath for the Government of Saskatchewan. A total of 63 wreaths and crosses were laid by individuals, organizations and businesses.
In Flanders Fields was recited by Christine Gonda. The school travel club provided the lunch following the service. Thank you to everyone who took the time to remember the veterans who fought in the wars so we may live free.
Each year on Nov. 10 Hafford Central School holds a Remembrance Day service at the school. Members from the Speers-Hafford Legion Branch No. 116 and members of the Remembrance Day committee attended.
The service began with Rolland Pelletier marching in the colours. A song, We Will Remember Them, was sung by Kacy Tkachuk, accompanied by Michelle Gall, Jenna Gall, Alicea Rice and Kendra LaFreniere, while a video produced by the students was played. The video depicted scenes from all the wars.
An essay, written by Michelle Gall titled, Daddy, If You Should Come Back, was read by Alicea Rice.
Every year the Royal Canadian Legion sponsors the Remembrance Day poster, poem and essay competition for students from Grades 1 to 12. This year 137 students took part.
The winners, in order of first, second and honourable mention, are as follows.
Coloured posters - Grade 1, 2 and 3, Steele Johnson, Callia Fehr and Logan Hall; Grades 4, 5 and 6, Hailey Prystupa, Ellie Grainger and Eric Boyko; Grades 7, 8 and 9, Amber Toews, Brooke Kowalchuk and Courtney Yasieniuk; Grade 10, 11 and 12, Ian Stead, Kaitlyn Nesbitt and Carson Toews.
Black and White Posters 鈥� Grades 4, 5 and 6, Justin Moore, Chayanne Roth and Avery Prescesky; Grades 7, 8 and 9, Breanna Grzyowski, Justin Yasieniuk and Brooke Kowalchuk; Grades 10, 11 and 12, Kolten Yasieniuk, Ashley Boyko and Kendall Pushee.
Poems - Grades 4, 5 and 6, Hunter Reid, Avery Prescesky and Daylon LaFreniere; Grades 7, 8 and 9, Chelsea Boyko, Courtney Yasieniuk and Jenna Gall/Sonora Moore; Grades 10, 11 and 12, Kacy Tkachuk, Shelby Taylor and Malaina Pratt-Flanagan.
Essays - Grades 7, 8 and 9, Michelle Gall, Gillian Oliver and Kyle Striga; Grades 10, 11 and 12, Amber Jackson.
Peter Derbawka, chairperson of the Remembrance Day committee, gave the Helen Skotniski Bursary to some of the winners of the Legion entries. Helen Skotniski was a long-time member of the Remembrance Day committee and we are grateful to the Skotniski family for their donation of prize money in her honour.
The winners of this year鈥檚 bursary are: Grades 7, 8 and 9 poem, first - Chelsea Boyko, second - Courtney Yasieniuk; Grades 7, 8 and 9 essay, first - Michelle Gall, second - Gillian Oliver; Grades 10, 11 and 12 poem, first - Kacy Tkachuk, second - Shelby Taylor; Grades 10, 11 and 12 essay, first - Amber Jackson.
Dawson Lehmann recited the poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrae.
The service ended with the singing of God Save the Queen and Rolland Pelletier marching out the colours.
Thank you to all the teachers, the students who took part in the competitions and all those who attended the Remembrance Day service.
