There was plenty to celebrate on Saturday, July 22 when people of all ages and generations ascended on the village of Macrorie to observe not one, not two, but three events that speak to the community’s rich history.
Not only was it the village’s selected date to commemorate Canada’s 150th anniversary, but the Macrorie Public School #3600 was marking 100 years, and the Veterans’ Memorial Park was also the hosting site of a solemn, respectful dedication service.
The day’s events served as something of a replacement for the Macrorie Music Medley, which didn’t take place this year.
With a fair-size crowd in attendance, as well as members of the Macrorie, Outlook and Elrose branches of the Royal Canadian Legion, Macrorie Mayor Mike Perry welcomed everyone to the dedication service before Dean Corbett spoke about the history of the Macrorie Public School.
Special guests of the service included Rosetown-Elrose MLA and the provincial Minister of Health, Jim Reiter, as well as Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek MP, Kelly Block. Also in attendance was Keith Andrews, Vice-President of the Saskatchewan Command and Harley Brown, Zone Commander for the Legion.
“Anniversaries are pivot points in which memories cluster, on which life-changing and direction-shifting events are recorded and remembered,” said Corbett, quoting an article in Legion Magazine and relating it to the numerous special events being celebrated during the day.
Macrorie’s memorial to veterans who served and made the ultimate sacrifice is an immaculate image of remembrance, with a concrete walking surface in the centre (concrete donated by Dale Wright) and surrounded by metal figures of soldiers, as well as metal benches and an end table; the craftsmanship of Perry Gursky was on full display.
“Every year on November 11, I attend a Remembrance Day service at a constituency in which I serve, but I know that that’s not enough,” said Reiter, speaking to the need to do more to remember those who fought so we could enjoy the freedoms we have today.
“We must never forget their bravery and their sacrifice, and I know families here will benefit from this memorial,” added Block.
After the placing of wreaths to mark Canada, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and the War in Afghanistan, the colors were marched off.
This didn’t bring an end to the celebrations in Macrorie, however. A Canada 150/Macrorie School 100 celebratory cake was served, and the BBQ was fired up for supper as kids were entertained by a clown.
At the sports grounds, ball games got underway at 6:30 before a dance was held at the community hall, with entertainment by “The Great Fuss”.
The celebrations in Macrorie were capped by a fantastic fireworks show that also carried an audio element, as the pyrotechnics also told the story of Canadian history through the decades.
For those in attendance, the trio of historical events held in Macrorie made for a celebration that will be remembered for generations.
