Royal Canadian Legion branches in Oxbow, Kenosee Lake, Wawota and Kipling are all planning services for Remembrance Day.
Oxbow’s ceremony will take place at the Oxbow Memorial Hall at 10:45 a.m. Members of the local legion branch, Oxbow Fire Department, the RCMP and Bow Valley Air Cadets will be honouring veterans and all who serve. They will be led in by bagpipes. The cadets will represent the colour party and be available to assist anyone requiring help laying a wreath in honour of veterans.
The Oxbow legion sets up for 200 attendees. However, it is often standing room only as the ceremony begins. They are grateful for the continued community support. The Royal Canadian Legion Oxbow Branch's co-chair of the poppy committee, Roberta Taylor, mentioned that the poppy sale’s funds go to various programs for Oxbow and district veterans and peace-time service members and their dependents.
Ever-expanding services provided by the community support embrace the needs of local and district veterans. Help for home, food and medical treatment is made available.
Other programs include the Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command, Veterans' Affairs, support services and counselling, Paws for Veterans, Leave the Streets Behind and PTSD Veteran Service Program. They offer access to physical activity for those who suffer from PTSD through gym memberships and other outlets to relieve stress and anxiety.
Taylor mentioned, “Our biggest challenge is keeping remembrance alive with youth, helping students to associate veterans with the work and service that ultimately gave us the rights to enjoy the freedom and liberties that we all enjoy today. Local schools play a significant role with reaching the children. The National Poster and Literary Contest is very well promoted in the schools. The students’ submissions are outstanding.”
“I hope to see everyone take two minutes to remember our veterans and all who serve. And consider all that they do for us," she said.
The Wawota legion branch is holding its Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m. in the Wawota Town Hall.
A colour party of veterans and Wawota legion members will march into the hall followed by honoured guests. Two minutes of silence follows the opening ceremony. Canadian military historian Ed James of Elkhorn, Man., has prepared a one-person play based on life during the conflicts in the Second World War called A Canadian Soldier.
United Church pastor Roy Bortoloto, will give the blessing, prayer, and message for reflection. The service is interdenominational. Clergy from other local faiths of the community will be in attendance.
The ceremony will conclude with the march out of the hall to the cenotaph. There the laying of the wreaths in memory of veterans, those who died and those who continue to serve are placed by family, community members and local people. All who attend are welcome to return to the hall for a soup and sandwich lunch. The afternoon program will begin following the lunch.
Wawota legion member Barbara Dennis reminds the public just how important it is to remember those military members who stepped up and gave of themselves in the name of freedom and for those who continue to do so today.
Kenosee Lake’s Remembrance Day ceremony is set for Nov. 11 at the cenotaph in the park. The public is asked to arrive by 10:45 a.m. The service will begin at 11 a.m.
Joan Adams has organized the services for over 15 years. She is grateful for the support and assistance that the people of the village and park have always volunteered. Everyone is welcome to attend regardless of the weather. Two minutes of silence will be followed by Jim Sedor from the Church of Christ leading the ceremony with a blessing and prayer.
A presentation will be delivered by Ken Ferguson, whose uncle was killed in action overseas in France. He and a number of family members travelled there this year to hold a ceremony in his memory. He will speak of his uncle’s memory and the importance of remembrance.
The service for the Kipling branch of the Royal Canadian Legion will be held Nov. 11, with seating at 10:45 a.m. and the ceremony to begin at 11 a.m. The school band will play at the beginning and the close. Two minutes of silence will be observed followed by the prayer and invocation by Pastor Chad Garris. Hymns will be played on piano by Mona-Lynn Stender during the service.
Names of the local fallen men and women will be read with special mention of four or five given as tribute to their service. Wreaths from the community and district will be laid in honour of all who served by local, provincial and national dignitaries.
A silver tea service will be prepared by the ladies' auxiliary. A silver collection will be taken up with funds given to a worthy charity on behalf of the legion and communities of Kipling and areas. Last year’s collection was donated to STARS Ambulance, in support of the outstanding work and service that they do.
