City declares Veteran’s Week

Veterans Week has been set by the city for the week of Nov 5-11.

The request for the week was made by Barry Whitehead, president of the General Alexander Ross Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Yorkton at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Oct. 9.

Whitehead told Council, “2017 is another year where we have a chance to say thank you to those many men and women who so bravely gave themselves to give us the opportunities and freedoms we have today.”

With that in mind the local Legion branch made the request for the City of Yorkton to declare Veterans Week and to allow the branch to fly the city’s flag of remembrance on the RCMP pole at the corner of Third Avenue and Smith Street. The flag raising will take place on Nov 6 at 10:00 am and the Legion invites the Mayor and council to take part in the flag raising ceremony.

Whitehead said there are a number of activities planned leading up to the week

Poppy Tag Day begins the Legion’s Remembrance Week campaign on Saturday Oct 28, with Cadets, Scouts and Cubs distributing and taking donations for poppies at different businesses throughout Yorkton, said Whitehead.

“We thank these young men and women for giving up their Saturday to sell poppies for all veterans,” he said at Council.

Wreath sales begin on Oct 28, with veterans and members of the Legion going to local businesses in Yorkton, Bredenbury, Saltcoats and Churchbridge selling wreaths.

“If anybody would like a wreath to honour the Veterans please give us a call and we would be happy to send someone to your location,” said Whitehead.

Starting on Monday, Nov 6, Legion colour parties will be visiting schools and nursing homes in Yorkton, Saltcoats and Calder. While at the schools, they will pick up the many entries in our poster and literary contest.

“Last year we judged 652 entries and we expect the same, if not more this year,” said Whitehead.

A Candlelight Tribute Ceremony will take place Nov 10, at 6:00 pm at the Cenotaph on Darlington Street.

“Candles will be placed by children who are homeschooled,” explained Whitehead.

Saturday, Nov 11, will be the Remembrance Day service, in the Flexi Hall at the Gallagher Centre.

“We would like everybody to be seated by 10:45 am and we thank the Council for allowing us to host the parade at this venue,” said Whitehead.

“After the service we will be hosting a luncheon in the Gallagher Centre Convention Room. All are invited to come and have refreshments and social time with the Veterans.”

The Remembrance Banquet will be held in the Gallagher Centre Convention Room with social and refreshments at 5:30 pm followed by supper at 6:30 pm. The price of tickets will be announced at a later date and will be available at the Legion Office at No.9 5th Avenue North.

“Remembrance Day is a very important day for all Veterans and Legion members. They would like as many citizens of Yorkton and surrounding area to join us and share in our Veterans remembrance and to celebrate the freedoms they gave us.”

Council was unanimous in passing the motion to declare the week.