RCL Branch No. 39 Remembrance Day Ceremony

RCL Branch No. 39 Remembrance Day Ceremony

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 39 presented a solemn and profound Remembrance Day Ceremony at Vegreville Social Centre on November 11.

Due to the cold temperatures, the March on the Colors was inside the social centre.

As always, the ceremony commenced with the singing of O Canada which was followed by the last post, two minutes of silence, rouse and lament and continued with the Deposit Colors and Retire Color Party-Act of Remembrance. Rev. Pamela Milton, Acting Branch Chaplain said the opening prayer.

After this, there was the laying of wreaths which was followed by the Retire Cenotaph Guards.

Several times during the ceremony the Men’s Choir sang songs of peace and fellowship.

President of RCL Branch No. 39, Comrade Terry Kuzyk welcomed everyone then while he said today we pay our respects for those who have fallen, let us not forget to look around and recognize the veterans in our presence and the serving members who are veterans in their own right. “This year marked the 75th Anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy; commonly known as D-Day-June 4, 1944. This was a turning point in the Second World War and led to the eventual end of hostilities. There were 14,000 Canadians landed at Juno Beach; the Royal Canadian Navy contributed 110 ships and 10,000 sailors.”

Kuzyk continued to read greetings from Prime Minister Trudeau, MP Shannon Stubbs and MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk.

Deputy Reeve for County of Minburn No. 27, Carl Ogrodnick said we gathered here today to remember the sacrifices made by our country’s men and women who fought unselfishly to protect the values we cherish today. “We also gather here to celebrate the current men and women of our Canadian Arm Forces. These members have the honor of wearing a uniform that is recognized around the world as a symbol of courage and democracy. We want to pay great tribute to the daunting sacrifices made by Canadian families who were forced to endure their loved ones being away at war and on dangerous missions. Let us not forget the unfailing support they provided.”

Town of Vegreville Mayor, Tim MacPhee continued to say the men and women served unselfishly so he would have the freedom to be whatever he wanted to be, and have a free life so, he is forever in the debt to these veterans. “We must remember the sacrifices of everyone because they lost so much because they gave everything. I thank them and I will always remember.”

Captain Welby Thumwood, CD, P.Eng presented a veteran’s perspective where he said there were three key elements from three time periods when people have contributed exceptional military service to Canada. “These were the 75th Anniversary of Battle of Normandy D-Day where 359 Canadians made the ultimate sacrifice in that day alone. The Second Anniversary I wanted to highlight is the 70th Anniversary of North America Treaty Organization (NATO) which was created because democratic countries of the North Atlantic region found themselves in a dangerous Cold War with the Soviet Union and its communist allies. This “war” ended in 1991 but new challenges to peace, freedom and democracy materialized which demonstrates a continuous need for this alliance. The last anniversary I want to speak about is the Fifth Anniversary of the end of Canadian mission in Afghanistan where after the attacks of September 11 of 2001, Canadian joined the mission to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan.

Following this, RCL District 3 First Place Essay Winner, Dayton Choma read the poem he wrote.

Then there were presentations of Bob and Jean Kelly Scholarships to Tezra Dubuc and Katherine Gielbelhaus, as well as, AB-NWT Command and Ladies Auxiliary Branch No. 39 Bursary Award presented to Kody Plamarek.

The Color Party Retrieved Colors and Color Party Retired Colors closed the ceremony.