The format is familiar but the order of service is no less important than it was 75 or more years ago.
The annual Remembrance Day service in Estevan will again be conducted in the Estevan Comprehensive School’s cafetorium with the follow-up wreath laying ceremony held in the school’s courtyard with local army and air cadet members providing the silent sentries.
The Royal Canadian Legion Estevan Branch No. 60 president Troy LeBlanc said this year’s special presentation will again consist of a video (slides) and an audio tribute to First and Second World War veterans, and he lent assurances that this year’s presentation has been backed up with technological additions that ensure the slide show will come off as intended. He said last year’s video suffered from a technical breakdown.
“We will also have a display table set up at the back of the auditorium showing the tree monument that is being crafted in honour of the veterans,” said LeBlanc. The tree monument was a featured story in a recent edition of the Mercury’s sister publication, Southeast Lifestyles.
LeBlanc and past president Eileen Rosner will again place the wreath in honour of the unknown soldier and the Estevan PPCLI Army Cadet pipe and drum corps will again troop the special guests and veterans into the cafetorium and provide additional musical interludes as will a local band that will include Last Post and Reveille.
Geoff Thiessen has again accepted the duties of serving as master of ceremonies for the Remembrance Day service that will include the reading of the honour roll at 11 a.m., fifteen minutes into the start of the service.
As is the tradition in Estevan, the poem In Flanders Field, will be recited by comrade Ken Clark.
The prayers of invocation and tribute will be brought forward by major Heather Harbin of the Salvation Army.
“We have had an excellent turnout for the service and the wreath laying ceremonies these past few years, and we invite the general public to once again join us for this special event of remembrance,” said LeBlanc.
Poppy trays have been distributed throughout the city and in surrounding communities of Bienfait and Midale.
“There is reduced seating this year because the stage in the cafetorium has been extended to accommodate their upcoming musical, so coming a little early might be a good idea because we’ll still have to reserve seating for veterans and guests,” said LeBlanc.
