CANORA - On a chilly Nov. 11 morning, which thankfully included very little wind, Canora and area residents gathered at the cenotaph in Canora for the annual Remembrance Day service.
Lorri Dennis, representative of the Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, greeted those in attendance and thanked them for coming “to show our respects for those who served.”
O Canada was sung to open the service, followed by the playing of The Last Post.
Two minutes of silence allowed everyone to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have served Canada.
The silence was followed by the playing of Lament and Rouse.
Thom Carnahan, padre for the Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, shared the Act of Remembrance as “an important way to honour and thank veterans for their sacrifices.”
“They shall grow not old
“As we that are left grow old.
“Age shall not weary them,
“Nor the years condemn.
“At the going down of the sun,
“And in the morning,
“We will remember them.”
(Audience response): “We Will Remember Them.”
Carnahan followed with the Prayer of Remembrance and Thanksgiving.
“We ask you Oh God to be with us this day as we come together in community to pay our respects and to remember our deceased veterans.
“We further acknowledge and mourn the passing of our Queen Elizabeth II and look forward to our relationship with our new sovereign King Charles III. Both are veterans.
“Oh God our Father, we thank you for those valiant men and women, who at the call of sovereign and country laid down their lives in the cause of freedom for us all. We pray that we may uphold the torch entrusted to us so that their sacrifice may not have been in vain. Unite all the peace-loving peoples of our world in one holy purpose to defend the principle of freedom for which these valiant people lived and died.
“We thank you for the peace we enjoy and for the opportunity that is ours of building a better order of society in our Canada for the generations still to come. We remember with pride and gratitude those who fought on the land, the sea and in the skies to make this possible; and we pray that the memory of their self-giving may inspire us to invest our energy, strength and substance in building a world where the Dove of Peace may fly freely and safely; and may we do it, Oh God, for your sake and for all our sakes.
“Romans 12:18 deals with this very well: ‘If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.’
“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with all of us. In the name of the great Prince of Peace we pray. Amen. “
Lorri Dennis introduced groups and individuals who were to lay wreaths at the cenotaph. Those laying wreaths included: Mayor Mike Kwas, representing the Town of Canora; Canora-Pelly MLA Terry Dennis, representing the Government of Saskatchewan; Sgt. Derek Friesen, representing the Government of Canada; President Chris Sokoloski, representing the Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion; Cst. Baily Potts, representing the RCMP; Lee Ash of the British Army, representing the Armed Forces; members of the Canora squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, representing the air cadet movement, and Audrey Hrycak, representing First Responders. Hrycak graciously stepped in after representatives of Canora Ambulance Care, who were all set to lay the wreath, were called away during the service on an emergency.
After the laying of the wreaths, Carnahan spoke the benediction and blessing.
“Now, go forth from this holy place with renewed inspiration to do the continuing work of God. Seek good always, not evil, love goodness, and establish justice. Work for everlasting peace in our world. Ever-living and ever-present God, we remember those whom you have gathered from the storm of wars into the peace of your eternal presence; may that same peace calm our fears, bring justice to all peoples and establish loving harmony among all the nations. We end by quoting 2 Thessalonians 3:16 ‘Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.’ Amen.”
The singing of God Save the King closed the cenotaph service.
