White crosses, red poppies and miniature Canadian Flags were placed on the graves of district veterans and Legion members during the annual Decoration Day service held at Riverview Cemetery in Kamsack on Sunday.
Traditionally held on the Sunday closest to June 6, the service was conducted under the auspices of the Kamsack branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and included Legion members, Kamsack air cadets and members of the public.
The service included an opening prayer, scripture reading and homily by Rev. Stephen Ruten, the playing of The Last Post and Reveille, two minutes silence, the singing of the hymn O’ God Our Help in Ages Past, the decorating of graves, and the laying of wreaths at the Legion cenotaph by: Karen Bodnaryk on behalf of the Government of Canada; Ashley Hollett, Government of Saskatchewan; Councillor Rick Aikman, Town of Kamsack, three members of the Kamsack air cadet squadron, which is observing the 75th anniversary of cadets in Canada, and Sharon Rudy, on behalf of the Legion branch.
“The Royal Canadian Legion has seen 90 years of changing history that has touched so many people in ways we cannot even relate to,” said Jim Woodward, Legion branch president. “These memories are symbolized in the many white crosses displayed here today.”
Woodward said that no one attending does not know at least one name etched in the Memorial Walk surrounding the cenotaph at the cemetery. “These names are a testament to the many who formed and fought for our community over the years.
“When one thinks of the many atrocities that were experienced in the many military campaigns of the past, how can one think it can be any more different in the future?” Woodward asked. “But, one just has to look at the values of ISIS and it is easy to feel what many absorb just from our exposure to social media.
“We will see many changes in the future. I pray we can hold true to the lessons learned and pass the torch to our next generations upholding our Legion pledge and motto: ‘We will remember them.’ This statement can’t be just for a few, it has to be engrained in everyone’s heart or we just drift between others’ values.”
Woodward said that although the Legion does not traditionally celebrate the start of any conflict, on August 4 it will be the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War and it is suggested that people turn out all the lights in their homes on that day and light a tribute candle in memory or visit a war memorial for a moment of silence and reflection.
A company of 120 Canadian paratroopers was dropped inland from the Normandy coast the day before D-Day, Ruten said in his message. John Ross was one of those paratroopers in that company.
“The goal was to get up on high ground and prevent the Germans from reaching it; if the Germans had a high enough viewpoint, they could fire down on our seaborne troops landing on the beaches,” Ruten said.
“‘We got up on high ground and dug in there; we were only supposed to be there for three days, but the Germans didn’t exactly go along with the plan.’ Ruten said, quoting Ross.
“One of my favourite quotes for war and life is from Gen. Dwight Eisenhower (who said) ‘I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is essential.’
“John Ross said, ‘We attacked the strong point; there was an all-night fire fight. We had casualties and the Germans did too. At about 10 a.m., they surrendered. There were about 30 of us thee; 42 Germans surrendered to us. They outnumbered us and they out-gunned us.
“‘ON D-Day we were attacking the Germans. But after D-Day, we were on the high ground and they were attacking us. The roles were reversed. We became the defenders and they became the attackers. But every day we sent outfighting patrols to harass the enemy. In other words, we were still carrying the fight to them.’
“‘We carried out the role expeditiously and on time,’ Ross said with pride. ‘Everything we were assigned to do we did.’”
In other words, he took pride that the job got done. The work was completed, Ruten said.
For Canada, 14,000 soldiers landed on the beaches. This was a battle that called for many. John Ross was just one of those loyal many; in his case, one of 450 to drop behind the lines in order to prepare the way for the thousands to follow.
John Ross remembers how Canadian soldiers were thought of as seasoned warriors.
“‘I read an excerpt written by a German general after the war,’ Ross said. ‘He was in that area that we dropped in and he said that the reason they were overcome was because they faced battle-hardened Canadians. I’d like to write a letter to him and say none of those Canadians had ever heard a shot fired in anger. He thought we were battle hardened and we were as green as green could be.’
“John Ross survived the war but there were many casualties. Many shed their blood,” Ruten said. “And we are gathered today to remember the sacrifice that was made by so many in this war and others, who paid with their very lives. We will never forget them. We will remember them.
“The Bible tells us that Jesus came from Heaven to us, into our world. He dropped behind enemy lines in order to work out a plan to save us.
“Jesus died that we might receive forgiveness when we ask and life forever. He died to make a way for us to live, to live forever. It all hinges on Jesus; through simple faith in Jesus, and commitment of our life to Him.
“I will never forget what He has done. I will remember Him. Will you?”
The day concluded with a social at the Legion Hall and supper.
