"Freedom is never free," heard the large standing-room only audience in the Weyburn Legion Hall, as they listened to tributes being made to veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces at the Remembrance Day ceremonies held Friday.
"Freedom is never free," heard the large standing-room only audience in the Weyburn Legion Hall, as they listened to tributes being made to veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces at the Remembrance Day ceremonies held Friday.
The weather was mild under partly sunny skies as a large crowd gathered to take in the parade and the laying of the wreaths at the cenotaph in Memorial Park.
The Silver Cross Mother, or War Mother, as chosen by the Weyburn branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, was Annie Wilkinson, who led with the first wreath laying at the cenotaph, followed by wreaths laid by representatives of the various levels of government, organizations and individuals.
Rev. John Ferrier was the padre for both the outdoor and indoor ceremonies.
In his remarks to the audience, Weyburn-Big Muddy MLA Dustin Duncan noted that just a couple days before, the provincial government renamed the highway from Moose Jaw to 15 Wing air base as the "Highway of Heroes", in tribute to those from this province who have served Canada overseas.
"This will be a lasting tribute in honour of those who fought and died for freedom, reminding us that freedom is never free. Today we pause and remember the men and women who left the comfort of home. We remember the battles in places like Vimy and the Somme, and those who served in Korea, the Balkans and Afghanistan," said the MLA.
"We acknowledge a debt of gratitude that can never be paid in full," he added.
On behalf of the City of Weyburn, deputy mayor Nancy Styles told the assembled group she had looked up the statistics on Canadians at war.
She noted about 67,000 Canadians lost their lives in the First World War, or about seven times the population of Weyburn; using the statistical multiplication, she said this means there are roughly one million Canadians never born as a result.
"Who knows what those Canadians could have become? We'll never know," said Styles.
"We have so much to be thankful for in Canada and in the world. We have good education and good health care; these men and women we honour today paid for them. We can never forget those paid the sacrifice," added Styles.
The guest speaker for the indoor service was Capt. Bob Demencuik, who served for 23 years as the commander of the 2302 corps of Army Cadets based in Weyburn before retiring in 2010.
He noted that it will soon be the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War; in 1919, King George V declared a "day of remembrance" which has been observed to this day in most Commonwealth nations.
Saying that "It's a great honour to be here," said Capt. Demencuik, noting that he was unable to observe Remembrance Day for a couple of years as he was taking an overseas holiday at the time.
"Remember that many people had their hopes and dreams shortened by serving their country," he said. "Many came home without any physical harm, but will never be quite the same person; some have to relive their memories on an almost nightly basis."
From the start, Canadians came forward as volunteers; this actually dates back before we were a country, said Capt. Demencuik, pointing that the Americans were surprised back in the War of 1812 when they were confronted by a large group of people "who didn't welcome them with open arms."
Then the Boer War in South Africa came along, and 7,638 Canadian soldiers and 12 nurses signed up to go serve their country, followed then by the two World Wars and the Korean conflict.
Capt. Demencuik noted one issue that came in the First World War was that the Canadian government was apprehensive about allowing aboriginal people to fight for their country; in total, there were 4,800 who served in the First World War.
"We are now beginning to realize there were a lot of people who deserve to be remembered as those who gave their lives for this country," he said.
Many things have changed since then, said Capt. Demencuik, "but wars are still being fought."
As there are now men and women in different countries like Afghanistan today, he added, it is important that "our thoughts are with those who fall."
