CARLYLE - On a cold and blustery Nov. 11, the Carlyle branch of the Royal Canadian Legion conducted the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Carlyle cenotaph.
Despite the weather and the ongoing pandemic, the ceremony was very well attended. There were three rows of cars lined in the rink parking lot facing the cenotaph, filled with participants honouring those who have served and sacrificed for our country. In addition, there were a number of people standing out side of their cars.
The ceremony was ably led by Nedra Clark, who detailed the history of the poppy campaign and its significance in remembrance, on this, the 100th anniversary of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Poppy Campaign.
While Clark was discussing this history, the sergeant-at-arms, John Votour marched the colour party in through the first snow we have seen in Carlyle this fall. Darren Simons was part of the colour party in full dress RCMP uniform, and flag bearers were Rick Burnett, Dianne Twietmeyer, Marion Biram, George Anderson and Jack Wilson.
The wind was a challenge for all flag bearers and required them to stand and hold the flags through the entire ceremony.
Jesse Twietmeyer played the Last Post, which was followed by two minutes of silence and Reveille. Wilson and Votour performed the Act of Remembrance by reading the names of those from Carlyle and area who were lost in the First and Second World Wars. Twietmeyer then recited In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, which was the short poem that inspired using the poppy as the flower of remembrance.
A number of wreaths had been laid before the ceremony, and more were laid after the ceremony. Clark made note of all the wreaths that were laid before and would be laid after.
During the ceremony, wreaths were laid from the Government of Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan and the Royal Canadian Legion. Wreaths were also laid honouring First World War and Second World War veterans, the United Nations and NATO veterans, the Heroes of Afghanistan, and returned service members who have since passed.
Doug Waldner led the attendees in a prayer during the ceremony, and in the benediction at the end of the ceremony.
The Carlyle Legion would like to thank all who participated, and all who attended during this wintry service. We must always remember those who sacrificed so much so that we can live in freedom.
