With Remembrance Day hurtling around the corner, it is perhaps time for people to start thinking about the titanic struggles and seemingly endless sacrifices that marked the two great wars, and other conflicts, in which Canada and her people have found themselves embroiled.
In an effort to help elementary school children do just that, the Royal Canadian Legion has for years now been involved with the 'Royal Canadian Legion Youth Leadership Pilgrimage of Remembrance' program.
"Every two years, the Legion picks one representative from every province to become a 'pilgrim,'" said Brenda Fredrickson, the Legion pilgrim from Saskatchewan. "Those chosen are sent to Europe, where we tour the cemeteries and battlefields where Canadians fought."
"When we return to Canada, we are then tasked with travelling through as many communities and schools as we can for two years to share our experiences, and remind people why it is important to remember on Remembrance Day."
Selected to take part in the pilgrimage to Europe in 2009, Fredrickson has almost completed her second year in the position.
A Legion member for more than 14 years now, Fredrickson had previously been a high school English teacher in Elrose, SK, and also taught choir and drama.
"I feel really honoured to perform this role," Fredrickson said. "There is a real goal to all of this."
"I want to inspire respect in Canada's history for young people," Fredrickson said. "I want to inspire students to think what they can do to contribute to their communities, schools, and country."
"I want them to appreciate how lucky they are to live in a country such as Canada," Fredickson said. "I want to put faces on the numbers the students hear when we talk about war, the importance of those faces, and hopefully add impact to the statistics."
The presentation Fredrickson carried with her for her visits on Monday, Nov. 1 to Manor School, Carlyle Elementary School, and Arcola School, begins with a series of portrait photos.
All the photos are of men and women in the uniform of the Canadian Armed Forces, and all have one sad commonality.
"These portraits are of all the Canadian servicemen and -women who have lost their lives since the last Remembrance Day," Fredrickson said. "There are 20 portraits in all right now."
"What I find really amazing is that she is doing this for just the cost of her travel expenses," said Carlyle Legion branch president Jack Wilson. "It really costs almost nothing to have her come out and visit these communities and give her presentation."
"In the event someone or some group wants to donate to her, all the money raised goes back to her home Legion branch," Wilson said. "Brenda never really profits from this herself."
With Remembrance Day coming on Nov. 11, communities across the region are planning their individual services.
In Carlyle, the service is due to start in the gymnasium of CES at 10:30 a.m.
In Oxbow, the Remembrance Day service will be held at Memorial Hall on Railway at 10:45 a.m.
Lampman will be holding its service in the Legion Hall on Main Street at 10:30 a.m.
Since 11 a.m. is the official time for the period of silence on Remembrance Day, most communities that are holding services will hold them between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
For further information about services in your community, contact your local town office or Legion branch.
