The Royal Canadian Legion Speers-Hafford Branch No. 116 held their 60th Remembrance Day Service at Hafford Communiplex Nov. 11.
More than 175 took part in the service.
The service began with Legion member Rolland Pelletier marching in the colours. The air cadets, led by Lt. Sherry Legacy, were in attendance. The RCMP was represented by Cst. David Horton.
The Act of Remembrance, To Our Heroic Dead, was recited by Rolland Pelletier and Rev. Father Ramel Macapala gave the invocation and scripture reading.
The Speers United Church Choir provided the music.
Ron Tkachuk read the Remembrance Day message from Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Fred Small, a teacher at Hafford Central School presented a historical video, a tribute to the local people who gave their lives in the great wars.
Bob Shay laid a wreath on behalf of the Saskatchewan government. Individuals, organizations and businesses laid a total of 58 tributes.
In Flanders Fields was recited by Rebekah Lesko.
The Royal Canadian Legion Speers-Hafford Branch No. 166 Remembrance Day competition drew 253 entries. Winners in the various categories (in order of first, second and honourable mention) are:
Black and white poster: Grade 4 to 6 - Madison Flath, Brooke Kowalchuk, Kendra Lafreniere; Grade 7 to 9 - Megan Jones, Morgan Attrux, Kirsty Kindrachuk; Grade 10 to 12 - Jocelyn Fendelet, Michale Herman, Akaysha Ens;
Coloured posters: Grade 1 to 3 - Karter Johnson, Reese Cherwinski, Jessica Rice; Grade 4 to 6 - Jennifer Krsacok, Natelka Sendecki, Jason Gall; Grade 7 to 9 - Kirsty Kindrachuk, Kacy Tkachuk, Aumory Partridge; Grade 10 to 12 - Stephanie Horton, Frankie Yasieniuk, Tyler Yasieniuk;
Poems: Grade 4 to 6 - Rayna Yasieniuk, Steele Thompson, Kendra Lafreniere; Grade 7 to 9 - Megan Jones, Jordan Gall and Nicole Taylor; Grade 10 to 12 - Akaysha Ens, Katrina Kindrachuk, Nathan Boyko and Jocelyn Fendelet;
Essays: Grade 4 to 6 - Alicia Rice, Michelle Gall, Justin Yasieniuk; Grade 7 to 9 - Jenny Markewich, Nicole Taylor, Quinn Anhorn; Grade 10 to 12 - Sarah Jones, Cameron Verge, Alanna Hawrysh.
For the past seven years the Helen Skoniski Award has been distributed to winning students. Winners this year were: kindergarten - Alesha Moore, Nadia Morin and Nicholas Prescesky; Grade 10 to 12 poems - Akaysha Ens, Katrina Kindrachuk, Nathan Boyko and Jocelyn Fendelet; Grade 10 to 12 essays - Sarah Jones, Cameron Verge and Alana Hawrysh.
The Legion expresses appreciation to all the students who took part in the competitions, to the judges, to Fred Small for his presentation and to all those who made this Remembrance Day meaningful.
The Hafford Communiplex Catering Group served lunch following the service.