Although there was a large crowd in the Neilburg Community Hall, all was silent at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, as those in attendance paused for two minutes of silence to reflect upon the sacrifice of those who were lost in the conflict.
The master of ceremonies for the service was Neilburg Legion president, Ken Ostensoe. The colour party was led by Sergeant-at-Arms, Glenn Goodfellow. Flagbearers were David Rogers, Pat Gibbons, Evertt Putnam and Bert Wakefield. Assisting also were RCMP members, Cst. Ivan Ottenbreit and Cst. Terence Dunphy.
After the singing of O Canada, accompanied by Margaret Chibri at the piano, a recording of the Last Post and Reville was played. The audience was then led in the act of remembrance before Jerry Petovello read the poem, In Flanders Fields. Petovello's father-in-law, Neil Lamb, had recited this from memory at each Remembrance Day observance, until his death just days before Nov. 11, 2008.
Instead of singing the traditional Onward Christian Soldiers, this year the hymn chosen was the Royal Navy anthem, Eternal Father Strong to Save. It is also known as Those in Peril on the Sea and is a favourite of Grant Doolittle, one of the last veterans able to be active in the local Legion branch.
Bailey Zweifel and Levi McIntosh read the names from the honour roll. Those lost in World War I were: Geoffrey Addison, John Ainsley, Archie Bagley, Fred Bickerdyk, Hubert Hill, Jim and Tommy Kitching; Charlie, Ernest and Stephen Robinson; Edward John Sawtell, Thomas Swindell and Charlie Whidden.
Lost in World War II were: Gilbert and Walter (Bud) Brown, Ted Bradley, Gerald Caldwell, Maxwell Cayford, Clifford Christopherson, Silvo David, Varley Hallett, Kenneth Hollingshead, Hans Hein, De Edward Jeffrey, Rene Leblanc, Arthur Loyie, Edward Marquardt, Fred McAvany, John Masson, Charles Niven, Mark Paradis, Charles Prongua, Charlie Reid, Leonard Riggs, Dougal Thom and Perry Wilson.
This year, another name was added to the honour roll - that of Justin Boyes, who is Brian and Joan Gibb's son-in-law, lost in the Afghanistan conflict in October 2009.
Grant Doolittle thanked all those organizations and businesses who donated to the Legion's Poppy Fund. "It all helps," he declared.
Greg Bowes announced the names of those laying wreaths and who was placing them. Lt. Greg Kit and Warrant Officer Dan Gorman placed the wreath for the Queen, Government of Canada and the Armed Forces. Cst. Terence Dunphy laid one on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan and the RCMP.
Councillor Aaron Gibbons represented the Villages of Neilburg and Marsden and the Rural Municipalities of Manitou Lake and Hillsdale. Glenn Hegel laid a wreath on behalf of the local Legion branch. Evertt Putnam represented the Masonic Lodge, while Laura Hegel and Taryn Timmermans placed one on behalf of the Neilburg Composite School SRC.
Wreaths were also laid in memory of loved ones. These included a wreath in memory of Lindsay Gibbons placed by his great grandson, who is his namesake, known as Lindsay Gibbons. Jerry and Carol Petovello remembered Neil Lamb and Dave Rogers placed one for Joe McIllwrick. Marty Bowes remembered his grandfather, Norman Peart. Tom Poppleton placed a wreath in memory of three relatives - his father Gordon, and for Dougal and Norman Poppleton. Les Graham was also honoured by his children with John Graham, Janis Walde and Bonnie O'Grady laying a wreath.
Karen Putnam represented the Lane family, placing a memory wreath for Aurell Lane. Bert Wakefield also placed a wreath in memory of three relatives - Archie, Maurice and Ron Wakefield. Neil Putnam was remembered by his son, Everett. Perry and Don Wilson were honoured by Marilyn Wilson. Justin Boyes was remembered by his father-in-law, Brian Gibb. Legion president, Ken Ostensoe, laid a wreath in memory of Jean, Carl and Kenneth Hollingshead.
Thirteen members of the Canadian Armed Forces, stationed at Camp Wainwright, attended the local service. Lt. Greg Kit spoke on behalf of his comrades and reminded those gathered that "Remembrance Day does not mean only this day we remember. We remember every day."
The other soldiers who came to Neilburg to take part in the service were Pte. Matthew Probert, Pte. Dylan Haverson, Pte. Blake Enns, Pte. Amanda Presseau, Cpl. Jonathan Harris, Cpl. Alexander Dodman, Cpl. Cody Morris, Cpl. Nathan Henry, Cpl. David Collins, Master Cpl. Sidney Drake, Warrant Officer Dan Gorman, and Lt. Andrew Maclean.
Winners of the poster, poetry and essay contests were announced. These names will be published separately.
In his president's message, Ostensoe made mention of two long-time Legion members who have recently passed away. He commended the deceased members, Don Wilson and Irene Ducherer, for their willingness to do whatever needed to be done within the branch. He also congratulated Laura Hegel for placing second in the provincial senior poster competition last year.
The senior band from Neilburg Composite School sang three appropriate selections. These included The Highway of Heroes, Somebody's Son and Brothers.
A group of nine Grade 10 girls performed a moving sign language tribute to the song, Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton. They wore white gloves and the lights were dimmed and candles lit as they interpreted this selection. The girls were Taryn Black, Lauren Loy, Kailee McGarry, Mariah Nattress, Shaelyn Putnam, Courtney Cammidge, Taylor Morgan, Paige Watson and Madison Fouhse. Organizing this tribute was Mrs. Knorr-Bingham.
The sermon was given by Pastor Mel Letkeman of Manitou Evangelical Free Church. He quoted the poem, It Is The Soldier by Charles M. Province:
It is the Soldier, not the minister / Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter / Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet / Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer / Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer / Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician / Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag, / Who serves beneath the flag, / And whose coffin is draped by the flag, / Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Letkeman spoke of Joseph Thomas Kaeble, the first French Canadian soldier to be decorated with the Victoria Cross and the Military Medal. According to Wikipedia, Kaeble was "born on 5 May 1892 in Saint-Moise, Quebec and joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in March 1916. He was a corporal in the 22e Battalion and performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He died whilst doing so. On September 16, 1918, 'The London Gazette' described the situation and the reason for the award as follows:
"'For most conspicuous bravery and extraordinary devotion to duty when in charge of a Lewis gun section in the front line trenches, in which a strong enemy raid was attempted. During an intense bombardment Corporal Kaeble remained at the parapet with his Lewis gun shouldered ready for action, the field of fire being very short. As soon as the barrage lifted from the front line, about fifty of the enemy advanced towards his post. By this time the whole of his section except one had become casualties. Corporal Kaeble jumped over the parapet, and holding his Lewis gun at the hip, emptied one magazine after another into the advancing enemy, and although wounded several times by fragments of shells and bombs, he continued to fire and entirely blocked the enemy by his determined stand. Finally, firing all the time, he fell backwards into the trench mortally wounded. While lying on his back in the trench he fired his last cartridges over the parapet at the retreating Germans, and before losing consciousness shouted to the wounded about him: "Keep it up, boys; do not let them get through! We must stop them!" The complete repulse of the enemy attack at this point was due to the remarkable personal bravery and self-sacrifice of this gallant non-commissioned officer, who died of his wounds shortly afterwards.'"
Letkeman also quoted John 15:13 "No one has greater love than the one who gives his life for his friends." The soldiers who went to war, and never returned, like Joseph Kaeble, did just that so that "someone else might live."
Lest we forget.
