Hey, everybody! Reader here.
I just wanted to take a moment to say how nice it was to see such a big crowd come out to yesterday’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the Gallagher Centre Flexihall in Yorkton.
I know it was one of many such services held across the country, as we take pause to honour those who sacrificed to ensure that we as Canadians are able to live in peace, and enjoy the freedoms we have today.
In many cases, soldiers from generations before us paid the ultimate price, and we must always remember them.
There are so many Canadian families that have been touched, and in many cases, suffered immeasurable loss.
Several members of my family served in Canada’s armed forces.
On my Dad’s side, my great uncle Lawrence Read served in World War II, in the Medical Corp, going overseas in February 1942. In October of that year, he joined the Tank Corp., and was on the fighting line, until he was run over by a tank in Africa. Fortunately, he survived, and returned home, passing away in 1989.
As well, my great uncle Art Roemer, who just passed away last week, at the age of 91, served a long military career with the Army. His son, Al, wrote something I found really beautiful and fitting yesterday:
“Dad always wore his medals with pride on Remembrance Day. Not the pride born of self-aggrandisement, but rather pride in the country he loved, and in her steady defense.”
And on my mom’s side, her uncle Allan Owens, who is my great uncle, was a Rifleman in the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, was killed by the Nazis as a prisoner of war on June 11, 1944, and is buried in Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, in Calvados France. As a memorial, Owens Lake, in northern Saskatchewan, was named in his honour.
My family is one of many to have been scarred by war, and we must always remember those who served so bravely, and be thankful for their sacrifices.
As well, I express my gratitude for those who continue to serve our nation today, being ever vigilant, to ensure the safety and security we enjoy.
We thank you all, and we will never forget.
Here’s Canadian artist Mike Plume, with a song fitting, as we honour our soldiers past and present.
Lest we forget.
