The cold weather didn't stop more than 150 people from attending the Remembrance Day service at the Hafford Communiplex, Nov. 11. The colours, carried by members of the air cadets and the army cadets, were marched in by legion member Rolland Pelletier. In attendance were the air cadets, led by Sec. Lt. Sherry Legacy; the RCMP, represented by Cst. David Horton; and the army cadets.
Rev. Gayle Wensley delivered the invocation and scripture reading. Legion member Rolland Pelletier recited the act of remembrance, Our Heroic Dead. The letter from Prime Minister Stephen Harper was read by Megan Jones. Fred Small, retired teacher from Hafford Central School, presented a video, honouring the service personnel from the local area who gave their lives in the two Great Wars. This year is also the 60th anniversary of the Korean War.
Esther Tkachuk and Christine Gonda laid a wreath representing all mothers. This year individual wreaths were laid, in memory of all veterans from the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War and the peacekeepers, by members of the cadets.
Master Cpl. Byron Rodriguez laid a wreath in memory of all veterans of the Afghanistan war. He joined the Canadian Forces in 1984 and served three back-to-back tours of duty in Afghanistan, from 2008 to 2010.
This year individuals, organizations and businesses laid a total of 18 wreaths and 42 crosses. A hymn and the Lord's Prayer were sung by the Speers United Church choir. In Flanders Field was read by Jocelyn Fendelet.
This year the Royal Canadian Legion Speers/Hafford Branch No. 116 and the Helen Skoniski Fund received 154 entries in the essay, poem and poster competition. Congratulations to all the winners and to all the students who took part in the competition.
Every year, for the past 62 years, the Remembrance Day service has been organized by volunteers of the Remembrance Day committee and the Speers/Hafford Legion, branch 116. Forty years ago Irene and Armand Attrux joined this committee and in 1983 Irene became the chairperson, a position she has held for 30 years. At the Nov. 11 service, Irene announced she and Armand were retiring from the committee. Jean Epe thanked Irene and Armand for their service and dedication to the Remembrance Day committee and wished them all the best.
The service concluded with Mary Linnell playing God Save The Queen and Rolland Pelletier, for the last time, led the parade of all ex-service personnel, cadets and colours. Rolland Pelletier, after 30 years, has decided to retire and turn the leadership over to someone else. Thank you, Rolland, for all your years of service and dedication.
Lunch was served following the service by the Hafford Communiplex catering group. Thank you to all who attended the service; to Fred Small for his video honouring the soldiers who gave their lives in the Great Wars; the students who took part in the competitions; the catering group for the lunch and to all the volunteers who made this Remembrance Day service a success.
