Nov. 11 marked another opportunity for people around the world to pay their respects and show their appreciation for the sacrifices soldiers have made to make our lives better.
As is the tradition in Humboldt, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #28 hosted a Remembrance Day ceremony at St. Augustine Church.
This year’s ceremony was very well attended with both the church and the main lobby packed.
With all of the recent talk about the importance of Remembrance Day dwindling, Padre Rev. Al Hingley, who presided over the ceremony says it is an encouraging sign to see the church so full.
“Not encouraging that they’re supporting us but encouraging that they’re remembering the significance of Nov. 11 and I am so relived to see the interest the young people have.”
Hingley, who is also the curator of the military museum at the Legion, says he has noticed a large up tick in the level of interest the younger children have, not only during Remembrance Day but also when he does tours of the museum.
The younger generation played a large role in the ceremony as the 1st Westminster Scouts, Humboldt 1st Girl Guides, and the Midget AA Broncos were all in attendance for the ceremony, with representatives from each laying a wreath.
Hingley also welcomed younger people to take part in the service, with Faith Schuler singing a solo and Hingley reading the Mitchel Rhorke’s senior essay contest winning essay.
Having those young people involved in the ceremony is important, says Hingley, because it will help them remember and understand the significance of Remembrance Day.
“A lot of the images on television about the war, Canada doesn’t get its fair shake, it’s a very American presentation… so I’m very happy that they’re catching on with the Canadian content too.”
During the ceremony a number of dignitaries also participated including members of the clergy from some of the churches in Humboldt, as well as Legion President Niki Sokolan, Mayor Rob Muench, MLA Donna Harpauer, MP Kelly Block, soloist Maxine Moore, and the Little German Band.
During the ceremony Hingley also mentioned to those in attendance that Humboldt resident, Nick Sokolan, was awarded the rank of Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour, which caused a standing ovation for Sokolan.
Sokolan says receiving the standing ovation was a moving moment, noting that he was nearly drawn to tears.
“It makes me happy just to hear that everybody was so glad to see me get it.”
The honour is the highest national order of France and it is awarded in recognition of the personal involvement that soldiers like Sokolan had in the liberation of France during WWII.
Sokolan says it felt great when he found out that he was being bestowed with such an honour.
“Nice of them to know that we were in France… it was very hard to explain how good it feels for a guy to get something like that from a country like that… and that somebody still remembers something about you so I thought it was pretty nice.”
Sokolan says it is important that soldiers be remembered for their efforts, noting that “we did quite a bit of fighting. It was saving a lot of their families.”
Hingley would like to thank St. Augustine Church for providing the use of their facility.
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