CANORA - On a Remembrance Day morning at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day, Canora and area residents gathered at the Canora Cenotaph to remember the sacrifices of so many, including those who gave their lives.
Cathy Trach, president of the Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, introduced the singing of O Canada, followed by the playing of The Last Post.
At 11 a.m., two minutes of silence was observed by those at the service. The silence was followed by the playing of Rouse.
Thom Carnahan, padre for the Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, led in the reading of Act of Remembrance
“The Act of Remembrance is recited at cenotaph services and is intended to be our formal group act of remembrance for those who fought for our freedom. At the end, after I say, “We will remember them” please respond with volume, “We will remember them.”
They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning . . .
We will remember them.
Response: We Will Remember Them.
Fr. Ivan Simko shared a prayer at the cenotaph.
“Lord, we thank you for the gift of Your Son, and His sacrifice. We thank You for teaching us, that peace means more than simply a lack of war. Deep peace is the understanding that we are deeply loved by You, from conception to natural death, and that we are called to grow in that love ourselves for we are created to love and to be loved.
“May we learn to love You by honouring the image You directly imprinted in us, but also may we learn to love our neighbour by honouring Your image which You imprinted in them. May our love of neighbour guide us to reconcile with every one around us and around the whole world, by first seeking peace.
“We pray for all those who have died protecting anyone, especially in wars, and for all those suffering because of any war. We thank God for all the veterans for having the courage and openness to lay down their lives to protect those they love, for no greater love is there, than for a man to lay down his life for his friends.
“In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.”
Cathy Trach introduced groups and individuals who were to lay wreaths at the cenotaph in remembrance. Those laying wreaths included: Mayor Mike Kwas, representing the Town of Canora; Sgt. Derek Friesen, representing the RCMP and the Federal Government; Jessica Kwas, representing Canora-Pelly MLA Sean Wilson and the Provincial Government; Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Ciesielski and members of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron, representing the Canadian Armed Forces; Canora Legion member Dale Hooge, representing the Royal Canadian Legion, and representatives of First Responders, EMS and Firefighters. Individuals and representatives of other groups were also invited to lay wreaths.
Following the laying of wreaths, Padre Carnahan prayed the benediction.
“We leave this hallowed ground with the love of God. Today we share our respect, thankfulness and remembrance of our veterans who gave so much that we can enjoy freedom and peace. We go now in peace, in love and in remembrance. Amen.”
Following the service, Cathy Trach invited “one and all to a short Church service at the St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church hosted by the Canora Ministerial Association.”
The service closed with the singing of God Save The King.
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