A community came together under one roof last weekend to pay respect and acknowledge the trials, tribulations, and sacrifices made by Canada’s veterans; one of likely several thousand similar programs in villages, towns and cities across the country.
The date was November 11. The day was Remembrance Day. The goal was very simple – never forget.
Remembrance Day happened to fall on a Saturday this year, but that didn’t deter a sizable audience from showing up to the gymnasium at Outlook High School for the morning program. The school was the hosting site of a conference volleyball tournament, but as the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association said in a recent press release, all sport events scheduled for November 11 in the province would be pushed to start in the afternoon to accommodate Remembrance Day events and encourage athletes to take the time to acknowledge the significance of the day.
Hosted by Outlook Branch 262 of the Royal Canadian Legion, the program began with a welcome from Branch President Lyall Campbell before the arrival of the Colour Party.
Following the national anthem and a playing of “The Last Post”, the entire gymnasium was quiet for two minutes of respectful silence; two minutes in which people perhaps had a litany of thoughts running through their heads such as the loss of family and loved ones in combat, thoughts of those currently serving in the armed forces, or maybe the pure loss of life suffered as a result of any number of war conflicts, or even the chaotic violence that seems to permeate the daily news headlines around the world.
LCBI student Chastan Sim took to the stage to give a reading of “In Flanders Fields”, and to his credit, the young man didn’t need to look down and refer to the piece of paper in front of him to perform a gripping rendition of the classic piece of poetic literature.
Following readings of individual letters on behalf of the federal and provincial government, the Outlook High School senior band, under the direction of Mrs. Morgan Dingle, performed a piece entitled, “Ammerland” as composed by de Hahn.
Branch member Justin Turton spoke of the need to acknowledge veterans and their incredible efforts while they’re still here with us, citing the average age of World War II and Korean War veterans, which is 92 and 85 years of age, respectively. Looking to the front row, Turton acknowledged WWII vet Art Hauberg, who was in attendance.
In his address to those in attendance, Rev. Ron McConnell touched on the Battle of Vimy Ridge, a conflict that many say helped in forming Canada as a nation in its own right, and shared personal anecdotes from within his own family, as Ron’s wife Michelle’s grandfather fought in Vimy Ridge.
“We must listen, and listen dearly,” he said, touching on the public’s face-to-face experiences with veterans of all conflicts. “We must also offer resources in order for them to heal from their experiences. Today, we remember the past as we definitely should.”
Soon, the front of the gymnasium was a solemn yet colourful stream of red and green with the laying of 32 wreaths in total. Following the Pledge of Remembrance and playing of “God Save The Queen”, many stayed behind to enjoy coffee and refreshments in the school’s multi-purpose room, remarking on the memorable program they were just witness to.
With 2017 marking a monumental 150 years of Canada’s existence, Remembrance Day may have meant just a little more for some, and perhaps it has become all the more important as we look towards another century and a half of freedom, tolerance and acceptance in our country.
