RCL Branch No. 39 Remembrance Day Ceremony

RCL Branch No. 39 Remembrance Day Ceremony

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 39 Remembrance Day Ceremony was presented outside at the Vegreville Cenotaph on November 11.

Rev. Pamela Milton emceed this event.

President of RCL Branch No. 39 Terry Kuzyk welcomed everyone and said this year marked the 100th Anniversary of the Remembrance Day Poppy. “Placing a poppy near our hearts shows gratitude for the debt paid on for our behalf by those we may not even know, those are the veterans. We gather here today to honour those we lost and those who continue to serve to protect our way of life.”

MLA for Fort Saskatchewan/Vegreville, Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk went on to say the lives and freedoms we have today are because of our cherished service members’ efforts and their steadfast commitment to our Canadian ideals.

“Celebrating Remembrance Day is an honour. I feel blessed to thank those who have fought and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to our country. As the proud and grateful granddaughter of a World War I veteran and the daughter of a World War II reservist, our family knew first hand of the sacrifices made by soldiers who went overseas, as well as, the families that were left behind. There have been too many horrific wars, conflicts, and battles since the beginning of time and so many brave soldiers have entered these terrible fields of battle to defend not only our freedoms at home, but the freedoms of countless people who live in very distant lands.

Europe, for one, would have twice been decimated, and all the freedoms that their citizens had enjoyed would have been crushed under the heel of tyrants, and life for them would forever be very difficult and hopeless. When Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, Canada, of its own free will entered World War II on September 10, 1939, because it realized that Nazi Germany threatened the very existence of Western Civilization.

The families of our veterans also need to be recognized. They had to keep the home, farm, industries and the country functioning.”

Reeve for County of Minburn, Roger Konieczny said this year on November 11, we pause for a moment to honour and remember those who served and continue to serve in times of wars, conflicts, and peace.

Vegreville Mayor Tim MacPhee said he never sacrificed anything for his freedom. “It was given to me by those who came before me and sacrificed so much. Now it is my responsibility to never forget the service and sacrifices of more than 1.5 million Canadian soldiers, sailors, air crew, and emergency seamen. They died so I could have the freedom to stand here and give you this speech, I was able to get an education, and get a job and live a very free life. I will remember the sacrifices of everyone because they lost so much and because they gave everything, I thank them. Ladies and gentlemen as we stand here today in peace and safety, we pay our respects to all of the fallen, all of the wounded and all who have served in conflict over the last 100 years. We will never forget, we will remember you.”