YORKTON - The Honour Our Veterans Banner Program officially launched its third year with a brief ceremony Saturday.
Ken Gordon with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #77 said the project continues to grow with 34 more banners “to be displayed on the streets of Yorkton.
With the new additions there are now 205 veterans commemorated on banners.
To make the project as successful as it has been Gordon said the committee behind the scenes has worked hard.
“We have an awesome committee,” he said.
But the key thank you went to the veterans honoured.
“The most important people to thank today are our veterans,” said Gordon, adding it is the veterans, including peacekeepers, firefighters, RCMP officers and EMS staff who have worked “to keep us safe.”
Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley said as those assembled stood at attention for O’Canada, he thought about how important it is “to sing it as loud as we can,” because it shows pride in a country that is “the greatest nation on earth,” because of the efforts of veterans like those honoured on the banners.
Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit said in honouring veterans it is important “to remember what they went through, and why,” so that we might learn from it, and not repeat it.
The Honour Our Veterans banner project gives Yorkton citizens and visitors the opportunity to honour, respect and celebrate veterans from all walks of life and all times of service to the country.
The Legion and city welcome banners for all veterans who have a link to our community and Treaty 4 area. That may mean they lived here, worked here, or have friends or relatives here who want to recognize them.
The program is for any veterans, past or current, from any war, conflict or mission including military, medical, firefighters or RCMP.
Installation of the banners has already begun, with the 34 new ones going up soon.
Yorkton is not the only community with banners. Watson, Kelvington and Canora in the local region are doing similar projects.
