Jason Stockfish | [email protected]
On the 101st anniversary of the poppy, hundreds gathered in remembrance of those who have fought to defend the freedoms and peace that Canadians enjoy.
After a crowd filled the multipurpose room at the Jasper Activity Centre on Nov. 11, the president of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 31, Greg Van Tighem, opened the event by asking Sergeant-At-Arms D.J. Klymchuk to lead in the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry Drumline.
Once the drumline had taken their post, Van Tighem spoke of the hostilities of the First World War mercifully ceasing on the 11th minute of the 11th hour on Nov. 11, 1918.
鈥淲e remember the more than 2.3 million Canadians who have served throughout our nations and the more than 118,000 who have made the ultimate sacrifice,鈥� Van Tighem said.
After the singing of the national anthem, Reverend Linda McLaren, minister of the Jasper United Church, offered an opening prayer.
鈥淲e gather to remember those who went to war when peace was not present in the world. We gather to honour their bravery and willingness to stand up for peace, to allow their personal lives to be disrupted, and to give of themselves in service to Canada.
鈥淲e give thanks for all that they gave of their service so that we might live in a country that is at peace and where we strive to live in reconciliation with one another.鈥�
After the prayer, Parks Canada鈥檚 field unit superintendent of Jasper National Park, Alan Fehr, read the statement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Following the words from Ottawa, Bert Journault read the letter from Alberta鈥檚 premier.
Legion Branch 31 vice-president Greg Key followed with the message from MLA Martin Long.
Mayor Richard Ireland then read the honour roll of Jasper鈥檚 veterans lost to war.
Once Ireland had concluded, Jasper Girl Guides Isabella Tassoni, Lucy Currie and Aven Cardiff read 鈥淚n Flanders Fields鈥� in both official languages.
The sergeant-at-arms then recited the 鈥淎ct of Remembrance.鈥�
鈥淭hey shall grow not old, as we that are left to grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn,鈥� he said.
鈥淎t the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.鈥�
The crowd responded, 鈥淲e will remember them.鈥�
Bugler William Kang then played 鈥淭he Last Post鈥� before a moment of silence.
The 鈥淐ommitment to Remember鈥� was then spoken by the sergeant at arms.
鈥淭hey were young, as we are young. They served, giving freely of themselves. To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time, to carry their torch and never forget.
鈥淲e will remember them.鈥�
Again, the crowd responded in kind.
After the laying of the wreaths, Reverend McLaren returned for Benediction.
鈥淲e have gathered and we have remembered. Let us depart in peace and in love and charity with our neighbours,鈥� she said.
鈥淢ay this time of remembering and honouring those who serve, and those who gave their lives so we can live in peace and freedom, and those who continue to serve, remind us that peace begins with us.鈥�
The ceremony concluded with the sergeant at arms marching out the drums after the singing of God Save the King.
