Remembrance Day – The Free Press
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Thursday, November 7, 2019 Page B5
Pull-out Section A tribute to their service and sacrifice
A Special Supplement to
The Free Press
Memorial services and special events
THANK YOU VETERANS & FAMILIES
WE SHALL NOT FORGET – EKC REMEMBERS THOSE THAT SACRIFICED ON OUR BEHALF f Remembrance Day Hours f Cranbrook and Fernie branches closed Saturday Nov. 9 f Sparwood, Elkford and Cranbrook Commercial branches closed Monday Nov. 11 f All branches return to regular hours Tuesday Nov. 12 EKCCU.COM CR ANBROOK • ELKFORD • FERNIE • SPARWOOD
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Remembrance Day – The Free Press
Inventory of wars in contemporary history
The deadliest war: The Great War of 1914-1918 is the greatest drama known to Europe in terms of the number of deaths. The totalitarian regimes of the twentieth century and the Second World War are the direct consequences of this war. But it was the Second World War that was the deadliest, with more than 55 million deaths, of which 30 million were civilian. The most remembered war: This is Remembrance Day is meant to help us remember the Second World War because of the meaning of the most significant wars of our era. the atom bombs dropped on Japan and because it left its mark on three generations. Fortunately, those who remember it also remember the slogan “No more war!”
PHOTO: PHOTO.COM / thinkstock
Remembrance Day is an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices that today’s soldiers make and on the sacrifices of all those who preceded them.
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In honour of those who saved the world In life one man can seldom see His impact in society Our soldiers fight to blinded eyes To allow us all to live our lives Taking up arms against a foe To save us from the pain they know To give us all out liberty They bear the brunt of misery No greater duty can one bear An act of courage few would dare Endless sacrifices for 4 years Keeping back our greatest fears November 11th is a day of love To remember those now up above Men and women far too great To be remembered upon one date No words bring justice to their fight But I will try with all my might To bring them honour for the days
They fought to alay such evil ways No act of love could be so grand As one brave soldier’s final stand So now I will say at last We must remember what has past Those who have died and those who live And all the thanks to them we give They are all those who meet the call Preserving good for one and all So on this day I ask you pray For heroes of our memory Thank for your sacrifice It was this act that gave us life. A poem by Mike www.remembranceday.com
The bloodiest battle in Canadian history: The Battle of the Somme took place from July 1 to the end of November, 1916. On the first day of this battle, the 1st Newfoundland Regiment was virtually annihilated in the village of Beaumont. Machine guns, barbed wire, trenches, and massive artillery shelling resulted in ferocious fighting marked by heavy losses. Some 24,713 Canadians and Newfoundlanders died in the battle. The largest naval battle: The greatest naval concentration of contemporary history was deployed in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean area on September 21, 2007. This unprecedented demonstration of power by the United States against Iran included three aircraft carriers supported by about 40 escort vessels and nearly 100 aircraft.
REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE Fernie, BC
•10:40 am Parade marches to Cenotaph •10:55 am Cenotaph Service
•11:00 am 2 Minute Wave of Silence begins •11:45 am Parade forms up and marches back to Legion
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we shall remember them. An Ecumenical service will follow in the Legion Lounge
Remembrance Day – The Free Press
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Remembrance Day Q&A Q: What are the branches of the Canadian Armed Forces? A: The Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Q: What is the oldest and largest branch of the Canadian military? A: The Army Q: When did women begin serving in the Canadian military? A: In 1885, women began serving as nurses in the field, caring for Canadian troops. Twelve of these women were awarded the Campaign medal for service in the North-West. Since 1989, the Canadian military has allowed women to serve in nearly every role, except aboard submarines, which was allowed in 2000. By 2011, women made up approximately 15 per cent of the Canadian military. Q: Who was the first female combat general in the world? A: Canadian Brigadier-General Jennie Carignan became the first-ever female combat general in the world in 2016. Q: When was Remembrance Day established? A: Originally celebrated as Armistice Day on November 11, 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth, the name was changed to Remembrance Day in 1931.
REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY: NOVEMBER 11, 2019
On Monday, November 11th, you are warmly welcomed and encouraged to attend Elkford’s Remembrance Day events in honour of those who have fought for our freedom. Remembrance Day Service: Procession to Cenotaph:
Cenotaph Ceremony: Refreshments:
10:00 am 10:45 am
10:45 am 11:30 am
Elkford Community Conference Centre Ͳ 750 Fording Drive Immediately following service in Teck Hall, patrons will follow the cadets to the Cenotaph Beside Elkford Municipal Office Ͳ 744 Fording Drive Elkford Community Conference Centre Ͳ 750 Fording Drive
*Please note that the location of the Cenotaph has moved and is now located between the Elkford Community Conference Centre (750 Fording Drive) and the new District Office (744 Fording Drive).
With gratitude on Remembrance Day To all of the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice, our deepest gratitude remains with you and your families on Remembrance Day and always.
Causeway Bay Hotel 102 Red Cedar Drive, Sparwood 250.425.2003
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5 Ways to Show Your Appreciation This Remembrance Day 1. Attend a Remembrance Day ceremony. 2. W ear a poppy, and observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. on November 11. 3. Host a garage sale, bake sale or event to benefit a veterans’ service organization. 4. Write to our troops at canada.ca using keywords “write troops” in the search window. 5. Write to veterans at veterans.gc.ca using keywords “postcards for peace” in the search window.
Remembrance Day Services Monday, November 11
Come out and honour our veterans Sparwood, BC Royal Canadian Legion Branch #81 10:00 a.m. Church Service, Seniors Drop-in Centre at 101 Pine Avenue 10:45 a.m. Parade formation after service 10:55 a.m. Cenotaph Ceremony located at the Sparwood Public Library Following the Cenotaph Ceremony coffee/tea and hot chocolate will be available at the Senior’s Drop-in Centre. A light luncheon will be served at the Legion in Centennial Square. Everyone is welcome.
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Remembrance Day – The Free Press
Three ways of understanding Canada’s war contributions Living in a peaceful country like Canada, it’s easy to forget the wars of the 20th century in which our country’s freedom and harmony hung in the balance. On Remembrance Day, and throughout the year, we should engage with this past so that we can better appreciate the great sacrifices made by Canadians in these devastating conflicts. Here are a few good ways to reconnect with this history.
1. Visit a war memorial There are over 6,000 war memorials in Canada, each with a unique story and significance. These artistic constructions will inspire you to reflect on the soldiers who dedicated themselves to various war efforts and the histories they represent. 2. Discover the history To wholly appreciate the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers, we need to know who they were and why they were fighting. One way of learning about this is by visiting one of Canada’s many military and war museums. Another way is by reading about the history. Some good places to start your research are the Military Heritage section of the Library and Archives Canada website and the history section of the Veteran Affairs Canada website. 3. Speak with and support Canada’s veterans Veterans are usually happy to tell you about their military experience. By talking with them you’ll gratify their need to share their personal stories and also learn a meaningful bit of history you can keep alive by passing on to others. Additionally, you can support veterans in financial need by donating to organizations like the Royal Canadian Legion and VETS Canada. Visit their websites — legion.ca and vetscanada.org — for more information.
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Teaching kids about Remembrance Day
Wondering how to share the importance of Remembrance Day with your kids? Here are a few ways to teach your children about the wars that shaped our history and the reasons we pay tribute to the men and women who took part in them. Participate in Remembrance Day activities Attend a Remembrance Day ceremony with your children so they can emotionally connect with the history we commemorate on this day. You can also involve them in the other traditions such as wearing poppies and having two minutes of silence.
Read to them There are a number of books that teach children what Remembrance Day means for Canadians. Picture books are available for younger children whereas chapter books can be enjoyed by those who are older. Here are a few suggestions: What Is Peace? by Wallace Edwards (for preschoolers) A Poppy Is to Remember by Heather Patterson and Ron Lightburn (for grades one and up) Charlie Wilcox by Sharon E. McKay (for grades four to six) Write and draw Encourage your children to draw a picture or write a poem, story or essay on the topic of remembrance. They could also participate in the Royal Canadian Legion’s Annual Literary and Poster Contest, which is open to all Canadian school children from grades one to 12. Consult the Royal Canadian Legion website (legion.ca) for more details.
To our Veterans We salute you.
1791 9 Ave, Fernie, BC Phone: (250) 423-4222
Lest We Forget
College of the Rockies is proud to support our veterans and the men and women in the Canadian Forces currently serving our country.
250.425.2713 (Shop) • Sparwood, B.C.
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Remembrance Day – The Free Press
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The poppy: an enduring symbol of remembrance November 11 is when we pause to reflect on the men and women who served and who are currently serving our country. On this date, Canadians are called upon to pay tribute to the 2.3 million compatriots who, throughout our nation’s history, risked their lives defending our country, and the 118,000 who lost their lives. The tradition of wearing poppies — or replicas of poppies — on Remembrance Day has its roots in the poem “In Flanders Fields,” written during the First World War by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. The poem, which became widely known across the Commonwealth of Nations and in the United States, speaks of the poppies that thrived on fields in Belgium and Northern France where some of the war’s bloodiest battles were fought. After the publication of McCrae’s verses, poppies took on symbolic meaning, representing at once remembrance, rebirth, hope and the blood spilled in war. Today, the poppies we wear on November 11 help us to be mindful of the sacrifice of the brave Canadian soldiers of this war and every other armed conflict in our nation’s history. The Royal Canadian Legion, who through the sale of these poppies provides support for veterans, suggests that the flower be worn on the left lapel of our garments, close to our hearts.
In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
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Where do your poppy dollars go? Wearing a poppy is a good way to not only pay tribute to Canada’s veterans but also to give back to them. The poppies sold every year in the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day are provided by the Royal Canadian Legion, who use the money collected to provide assistance to veterans. Here are some of the excellent uses to which this organization puts donations collected for Remembrance Day. Veteran transition programs For many veterans, returning to civilian life proves to be a challenge. They confront estranged connections with friends and family, feelings of isolation, difficulties adapting to new workplaces and mental illnesses like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Royal Canadian Legion helps fund the Veterans Transition Network, a program that assists veterans through the tumultuous period after leaving active duty, providing them with helpful tools and resources as well as a welcoming community.
Financial assistance and housing for veterans Some veterans have an especially difficult time adjusting to civilian life and end up homeless or at risk of homelessness. In addition to providing financial support to such individuals, the Legion supports numerous outreach programs, food banks, drop-in centres and meals-on-wheels programs. Medical support The Legion provides funds for medical equipment, medical training and medical treatment focused on caring for injured and infirm veterans. It also helps pay for accessibility modifications that assist veterans with disabilities. Educational bursaries The Legion grants bursaries to children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of veterans who require financ ial assistance to be able to pursue a post-secondary education. Remembrance activities With the help of our donations, the Legion finances activities that shine a light on our past and commemorate our veterans.
For Your SACRIFICE For Our FREEDOM
THANK YOU!
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
741 2nd Ave, Fernie, BC (250) 423-4661 www.FernieSA.ca
Lest We Forget
John & Lynda Gawryluk
Cherished Memories Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd.
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Remembrance Day – The Free Press
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The roles played by the branches of the Canadian military Each year on November 11, Canadians pause in a silent moment of remembrance for the men and women who have served and continue to serve their country during times of war, conflict and peace. Known as Remembrance Day, the day honors the brave people who fought for Canada in the First World War (19141918), the Second World War (1939-1945), and the Korean War (1950-1953), as well as those who have served since then. More than 1,500,000 Canadians have served in the military. Tragically, more than 100,000 of those brave men and women have died. The Canadian Armed Forces, or CAF, make up the government’s largest federal department. The CAF serves on land, in the air and on the sea, and branches include the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Navy. Each branch serves a unique role. Learning about each branch is a great way for civilians to gain a greater understanding of the efforts and sacrifices the men and women protecting their freedoms make each and every day. Canadian Army The largest element of the CAF, the Canadian Army is the land component of the country’s military. Soldiers in the Canadian Army are trained at bases, armouries and training centers throughout Canada. It’s these training sessions that prepare Canadian soldiers for a wide range of scenarios, including operations at home and abroad. There are 23,000 full-time soldiers in the Regular Force and an additional 17,000 part-time, volunteer soldiers in the Reserve Force.
SMS Equipment
Remembers…
Elkford: 250-865-4651
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Royal Canadian Air Force The Royal Canadian Air Force protects Canadian and North American airspace in partnership with the United States. The RCAF provides the Canadian Armed Forces with relevant, responsive and effective air power to meet present and future defence challenges. Among its many roles, the RCAF provides control and surveillance of Canadian territory, airspace and maritime approaches while also conducting search and rescue missions to aid those in distress anywhere in Canada. Those are significant responsibilities, as Canada has the second largest territory and airspace in the world. The RCAF includes 12,000 Regular Force personnel and 2,100 Air Reserve personnel. Royal Canadian Navy The mission of the Royal Canadian Navy and its leader is to lead the strategic development and generation of combat-capable, multi-purpose maritime forces while providing advice and support to maritime operations. The Maritime Forces Pacific, Maritime Forces Atlantic and the Naval Reserve are directly responsible to the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy. The Maritime Forces Pacific and Maritime Forces Atlantic generate, maintain and sustain an armed capability to guard Canada’s Pacific and Atlantic maritime approaches. Maritime Forces Atlantic, which employs more than 5,000 military and 2,000 civilian personnel, is headquartered in Halifax and home to 18 ships and submarines. Maritime Forces Pacific, headquartered in Esquimalt, British Columbia on Vancouver Island, is home to 15 ships and submarines and employs around 4,000 military and 2,000 civilian personnel. Canadian military personnel play an invaluable role, both in Canada and abroad.
Remembering those who have sacrificed everything for our freedoms. Thank you to all veterans and those in active service from the team at North Coal.
Remembrance Day – The Free Press
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Thursday, November 7, 2019 Page B11
Three Indigenous war heroes to salute on Remembrance Day On this Remembrance Day, take the time to stop and think about the thousands of Canadians who have selflessly given their lives to protect this beautiful nation. Thanks to these courageous men and women who bravely fought in the name of freedom, Canadians have the opportunity to live in a country where peace and democracy reign free. To honour their memory and acts of valour, wear your poppy proud, and participate in a moment of silence at 11:11 a.m., wherever you may be. PHOTO: JOHN MOSES
Over 7,000 Indigenous Peoples in Canada served in the First and Second World Wars. Of the many who distinguished themselves during their service, here are three that stand out. 1. Tommy Prince Earning 11 medals in World War II and the Korean War, Tommy Prince of the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation is the most decorated Indigenous Canadian war veteran. He’s renowned for his marksmanship and covert abilities, skills he learned on the reserve from his father who was a hunter and a trapper. Among Prince’s numerous celebrated exploits was locating an enemy camp during a 72-hour trek without food or water, an action that led to the capture of more than 1,000 German soldiers. 2. Charles Tompkins Charles Tompkins was one of many Indigenous “code talkers” working for the Allies in World War II. A Métis who spoke fluent Cree, Tompkins was in charge of transmitting vital messages using a Cree code he helped develop. The practice involved one code talker translating a message into Cree and transmitting it by radio to a second code talker who would then translate the message back into English. This allowed the allies to share integral information with each other without exposing it to potential radio eavesdroppers. 3. Edith Anderson Monture A Mohawk from the Six Nations Grand River Reserve, Edith Anderson Monture was one of 14 Canadian nurses who served as part of the United States Army Nurse Corps in World War I. She worked at a hospital in France, treating soldiers injured in trench warfare and gas attacks. After the war, she became the first Indigenous woman to become a registered nurse in Canada.
Edith Anderson Monture
On Remembrance Day… We recognize the many sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform both today and throughout our nation’s history. We honour their courage and dedication, and we thank them for their contribution to our country.
Thank You, Veterans.
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Remembrance Day – The Free Press
Honouring all those who gave,
Remembering those who gave all
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