鈥淲e shall remember them.鈥�
Remembrance Day remains an important day showing support to troops and their families, while remembering those who sacrificed their lives. Freedom isn鈥檛 free, but we are lucky today to have it and to have men and women earn that freedom and ensure it.
The Carlyle branch of the Royal Canadian Legion held a Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 11 to honour these memories and show support for those currently serving our country.
The colours were marched in just before 10:45 a.m. and the Colour Party held the flags at attention during the singing of 鈥淥 Canada.鈥� Following the 鈥淟ast Post,鈥� performed by Jesse Twietmeyer, two minutes of silence were observed to remember those who had given their lives, those who fought but returned home, and to those currently in service. Additionally people remembered the families of these soldiers and what they have been through for Canada.
In an act of remembrance the World War I and World War II roll calls were read, which was followed by a letter from the Prime Minister.
鈥淭oday we remember the courage and dedication of the Canadian men and women who have fought valiantly over the years to defend our freedom and rights, making it possible for us to live in a peaceful, democratic country where we enjoy one of the best qualities of life in the world,鈥� Prime Minister Steven Harper wrote.
鈥溾�淔or the past two centuries, hundreds of thousands of Canadians have earned enormous respect 鈥� at home and abroad 鈥� by answering the call to fight against tyranny and evil around the world in engagements such as the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, Afghanistan and many other international military operations. Those who fought so valiantly in these battlefields are still honoured and remembered in places such as Vimy Ridge, Ypres, Normandy, Sicily, Hill 355 in Korea, and Kandahar to name a few. Many made the ultimate sacrifice.鈥�
鈥淲e can never repay the debt we owe to the intrepid men and women who paid for our freedom with their lives, but we can remember their enormous sacrifices and pay tribute to their bravery and patriotism.鈥�
Remembrance Day this year looked to the sad act of terror which occurred on Oct. 22, 2014. Cpl. Nathan Cirillo had been on duty as the ceremonial sentry at the Canadian National War Museum. His life was taken by the shooter. It is not often Canada is attacked in this way and it rallied the nation together.
Sr. Lucille Courcelles, the participating clergy this year, spoke during the ceremony about terrorism on our soil being a worry; but, hoping that this kind of violence can be ceased and replaced with hope and peace.
鈥淧eace is possible,鈥� Sr. Courcelles stated. 鈥淭his is a day to pray for peace.鈥�
A collection was gathered during the ceremony by the Carlyle Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion to support veterans.
Following the ceremony, those in attendance were asked to join the Colour Party for a short service at the Cenotaph in town where three wreaths were laid: one for World War I and World War II veterans, one for all veterans who have returned from war, and one for UN/NATO members.
