In spite of the chilly weather, a group of residents gathered at the cenotaph at the town hall in Canora for the annual Remembrance Day service, to pay tribute to those who have served Canada.
Pastor Wilfred Michaels, the padre for the Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, and Rev. Brett Watson led the service at the cenotaph.
Pat Thompson of the Legion introduced individuals and groups who were to lay the wreaths.
The Canora squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets played a significant role at the service, mainly as flag bearers. After the cenotaph service, the cadets led the procession to the service at the St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church.
During the church service, Carol Sleeva read scripture from Romans 12:12-21.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Pat Thompson read the poem In Flanders Fields, which waswritten during the First World War.
“In Flanders fields the poppies blow
“Between the crosses, row on row,
“That mark our place: and in the sky
“The larks still bravely singing fly
“Scarce heard amid the guns below.
“We are the dead: Short days ago,
“We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
“Loved and were loved: and now we lie
“In Flanders fields!
“Take up our quarrel with the foe
“To you, from failing hands, we throw
“The torch: be yours to hold it high
“If ye break faith with us who die,
“We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
“In Flanders fields.”
Cecil Machnee read a scripture passage from Matthew 5:3-12, which is known as the Beatitudes.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Pastor Michaels delivered the message, focusing on the theme, “The horrors of war, no one wins.”
He referred to the story of Jephthah from the Old Testament, found in Judges 11-12.
His mother was a prostitute, and his father had several other sons by his legitimate wife. When these half brothers grew up, they chased Jephthah out of their home country of Gilead.
Michaels said it wasn’t surprising that Jephthah became a bandit, with a band of malcontents as his followers. It was about this time that the Ammonites began their war against Israel, which included Gilead.
Leaders of Gilead came to Jephthah, who had gained a reputation as a great warrior. They promised to make him King of Gilead in exchange for leading the army against the Ammonites.
Jephthah agreed to their terms and led the battle against the Ammonites. He had vowed to God that if He helped defeat the Ammonites, when Jephthah returned home in peace, the first person coming out of his house to meet him would be sacrificed as a burnt offering to the Lord.
Michaels said it was a bloody battle but Jephthah led his forces to victory over the Ammonites. When he returned home, the first person to run out of his house and greet him was his only daughter.
In spite of his anguish, Jephthah kept his word and his daughter was sacrificed to God as a burnt offering.
Michaels gave another example of the horrors of war from more recent times.
The year 2017 is the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele, which occurred in 1917 during the First World War. The Allies suffered approximately 275,000 casualties, while roughly 220,000 German soldiers died during the same battle. Close to half a million lives were lost to that one battle.
Following the message, Ken Rolheiser read the Honour Roll of the soldiers who did not return.
After the church service, there was a gathering for lunch at the Legion Dugout. Approximately 85 people attended.
