What is Remembrance Day to you? It means different things to different people. Those who have loved ones in service at the moment are finding out what it means to those who have had someone serve in previous actions and those who lost their loved ones in those actions.
Today, Nov. 11, it was described as a funeral each year to remember those who have not returned. Whether it is now or in years past, they are to be remembered for the freedom we enjoy today. The freedom to choose where you live, what you do for a living, what religion you practice or don't practice and the freedom to speak your opinion. The Act of Remembrance, "They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. We will remember them." Following the service today, I remembered my relatives who served.
Since last Nov. 11, two more of our veterans have passed away. Sammy Cole and Charlie McCaffrey were both active members of the community and well known. This year's Remembrance Day services were not the same without them, both at the school and the legion.
The H. Hardcastle School annual Remembrance Day service was held at 2 p.m. in the gym Nov. 7. The service started with the entrance of the flag bearers, Chelsey Hamel and Shaylyn McConnell followed by veterans and legion members and RCMP representative. Jessica Bec acted at MC and called upon Braxton Letwinetz to sing the national anthem. Throughout the service, the poems and essays that placed in last year's Remembrance Day contest were read. Those reading this year were Jessica Bec on behalf of Tristan Wagner, Brooke Bonsan, Kaitlyn McCarthy on behalf of Kelcey McCarthy, Zachary Gordon (poem and essay) and Brittany Bec on behalf of Shanae Blaquiere. Also making contributions were the Grade 2/3 class singing "Canada Is" and Grade 7 reciting Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream, Braxton Letwinetz sang One Tin Soldier and Macey Levasseur sang I Will Remember You. A
PowerPoint presentation of the local veterans was given again this year, listing relatives that were attending HHS. This was followed by the Last Post, two minutes of silence and Reveille.
Each class randomly picked a representative to lay a wreath and those were: Grade 12 - Brady Fox, Grade 11 - Dallon Becotte, Grade 10 - Taya Cole, Grade 9 - Kieran McConnell, Grade 8 - Macey Levasseur, Grade 7 - Tiana Olson, Grade 6 - Jaxon Harty, Grade 5 - Kylee Bec, Grade 4 - Dawson Sitter, Grade 3 - Ava LaClare, Grade 2 - Meadow Carver, Grade 1 - Graydon Troesch, kindergarten - Kesler Wall and Karis Latendresse.
Representing staff was Mr. Mike Lee, Constable Wilkinson for the RCMP and Judy Carignan for the Legion . The service was brought to a close with the playing of the video, Soldiers Cry. The flag bearers then led the honoured guests from the gym.
The annual Remembrance Day service was held in the Legion Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m. Judy Carignan called upon Pastor Dave Walker to officiate. Huguette MacGregor accompanied the congregation on piano in the singing of the national anthem.
Following the reading of the poem, In Flanders Fields, by Huguette MacGregor, was the hymn, Oh God Our Help in Ages Past. Rev Peter then read the scripture. Pastor Dave gave the message, What is Liberty? and following God Save the Queen, accompanied on piano by Huguette MacGregor, with Tommy Terpstra as flag bearer, was taps, two minutes of silence and Reveille.
Laying wreaths were: on behalf of the Governor General - Frank Poole, legion - Judy Carignan, municipal government - Henri Blaquiere (RM) and Ken McConnell (village), and any other associations - Kieran McConnell. The final benediction brought the service to a close. All were invited to stay for the lunch served by the Legion members.
