NORTH BATTLEFORD - It was a solemn time at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 70 community Remembrance Day Service on Monday.
A full house gathered at the Don Ross Auditorium in North Battleford to pay their respects to those who served the country for the freedom of all.
Rev. Trevor Malyon, Legion Chaplain for Branch 70, spoke about the challenges Canada's veterans experienced in their efforts to serve.
"While we rest and are at ease, while we go about our daily business and life, while we shop and jostle for the best price, men and women have paid the greatest price," he said.
He noted during the First World War, 424,000 served overseas. From that amount, 66,000 gave their lives and more than 172,000 were wounded.
In the Second World War, about 1,159,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served. From that number, 4,250 First Nations served, and many more Métis, Inuit, and non-status Indian solders served without having official recognition of their Indigenous identity.
Among those who served during the First World War, was Francis Pegah-maga-bow, an Anishinaabe from the Parry Island reserve. He was credited for neutralizing more 300 of the enemy soldiers and capturing 300 more, Maylon said.
“The reason I made mention of him today was because he was the most decorated First Nation soldier," Maylon said. "Sometimes we forget those soldiers, especially First Nations or minorities. When he fought for Canada, he actually had to come back and fight for his own people, in a political sense. I think he was one of the founding fathers that started to see the First Nations community recognized in Canada. That's my thoughts of Francis, so that's why I spoke about him today.”
Veteran and Legion No. 70 member John Caldwell recalled his grandfather who was a First World War veteran. Caldwell cares a great deal about serving in the annual Remembrance Day services.
"I did, and I still do a hospital [Remembrance Day] visitation for the Legion, all the veterans and Legion members, just anybody in general," he said. "I work in the hospital, work as a security guard. I'm trying to retire. But how do you retire when you love marching, and love taking charge and getting things done in a proper, efficient military-like manner.”
Outgoing Mayor David Gillan said in his speech at the Legion Branch 70 Hall that he was touched to see so many children attending today's Remembrance Day service.
"We really understand the meaning of today, but of course the young people need to be reminded, because they have a little less experience with this," he said.
Gillan noted the efforts Indigenous people have made in serving the country.
"It's fantastic how more and more honour is paid to all the Indigenous veterans," he said. "I want to speak specifically about one particular gentleman from Red Pheasant Cree Nation, one of our eight First Nations that surround the great City of North Battleford, Mr. Alex Decoteau."
Gillan explained Decoteau was the first Indigenous police officer in Canada in the city of Edmonton. He was enlisted in the war effort, in the First World War.
Before enlisting, Decoteau was an Olympian athlete for Canada.
"Last Friday, on Indigenous Veterans Day, a plaque was unveiled in Belgium in his honour," said Gillan.
