Many communities in southeast Saskatchewan are conducting their annual Remembrance Day services. Here is a look at the events planned.
Lampman
The Lampman Royal Canadian Legion branch will hold their service at 10:30 a.m.
President Sandy Hanrieder said her father, Elmer Wilfred Littlejohn, was in the military and was deployed to the Netherlands during the Second World War.
He never spoke about the war. Littlejohn passed away on June 22, 2002, at the age of 82.
KIsbey
Kisbey will host a service, according to Richard Krehbiel. The service will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Kisbey Recreation Centre. They also attend a service in Arcola.
According to Krehbiel, James McArthur of Pheasant Rump First Nation was deployed to Korean and Vietnam. He attends the service and places a wreath each year. Albert Hale was one of the last veterans in the area, and he passed away in June of this year.
Like so many of these legions, many of the veterans have now passed away, but they will continue to support and honour them, and they hope that everyone else will too, by coming to one of the services in the area and supporting the poppy campaign.
Kipling
The Kipling Royal Canadian Legion branch will hold their service at the community centre at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11.
Allen Hourd served in the military for 26 years and 98 days, retiring in 2015.
Hourd was deployed in 2002 to the Persian Gulf and in 2007 went to Dubai.
He was on the search and rescue team from 1992-1997 but was also often on a ship to help navigate the ocean near Hawaii. He now farms near Kipling.
Stoughton
The Stoughton Royal Canadian Legion will hold their service at 10:30 a.m. at the legion.
President Ray Coderre wanted to join the military but due to impaired hearing, he could not pass the requirements.
Coderre has been president for 20 years and just recently became the district command for the southeast corner.
All poppy money raised goes to help veterans who are struggling financially or who find themselves homeless.
Stoughton-Tecumseh Fire and Rescue Chief Pat Slater joined the military in 1973. He went to Borden, Ont., to be a vehicle technician, but he did not remain there.
In 1976 he was posted to Canlog in the Golan Heights in Israel. After his return he wrote his interprovincial journeyman licence. In 1982, Slater took his release and is a mechanic in Stoughton.
Alameda
Alameda United Church will hold the Remembrance Day service at 10:45 a.m.
Reed Gibson, president of the Alameda Royal Canadian Legion said coffee, tea and snacks will be offered at the legion after the service.
Gibson’s father Walker was in the Canadian Navy, but was not deployed.
Scott Paton from Arcola will MC at the Mac Murray Theatre for the Remembrance Day service that will begin at 10:45 a.m.
Although Arcola no longer has an active legion, the town holds a service every year in accordance with legion protocol.
Paton was always interested in Canadian military history, but never joined the military. This is his way of giving back.the branches
Like so many of these legions, many of the veterans have now passed away, but they will continue to support and honour them, and they hope that everyone else will too, by coming to one of the services in the area and supporting the poppy campaign.
Carnduff
The Royal Canadian Legion plans on holding an outdoor ceremony at the cenotaph. It is in the park besides the swimming pool. Benches will be available for those unable to stand during the service.
“After the service, everyone is welcome to join us for beef on a bun at the legion hall on Fourth Street West,” said branch president Jeff Young. “Several students have penned some poems and essays and may be reading them after lunch. The poems and essays will be judged, and the top ones entered in the Royal Canadian Legion national poetry contest. A special thank you to our poppy committee Kay Carley, Carol Vanstone and Marguerite Black.”
Kenosee Lake
As has been the custom for many years, the Kenosee Lake Remembrance Day service will be held outdoors. The cenotaph is located on the west side of the ball diamond at Moose Mountain Provincial Park.
Joan Adams has been organizing the event for the past 15 years.
“The weather on Remembrance Day is unpredictable but we usually have between 60 to 100 in attendance.”
Wreaths are laid on behalf of the Army, Navy, Air Force, search and rescue, veterans’ families, RCMP and others.
“Everyone is more than welcome to attend this outdoor service.”
Oxbow
The Royal Canadian Legion’s Oxbow branch is holding its service in the Memorial Hall.
“We usually get up to 200 people attending this event,” said branch president Roy Wardrope. “Everyone is welcome, and this year our guest speaker is Roberta Taylor. Incidentally, Roberta is also our legion secretary.
“Local cadets have just completed a very successful town-wide poppy blitz. As is customary, we expect to see many members of our local fire department attending our service, together with some of their fire trucks and other equipment. These volunteers really add to the ceremony.”
Redvers and Bellegarde
The Remembrance Day ceremony takes place in the Redvers School auditorium on Nov. 9 and at École de Bellegarde on Nov. 10. Both services are organized jointly by the Redvers Royal Canadian Legion branch and the respective schools.
“This year, we are delivering bracelets to both schools which have “Lest we forget” engraved on them. They will be handed out to every student. Everyone is welcome,” said Redvers branch president Paul Aime.
The Remembrance Day service at the Bellegarde school will be in French. Eighty-seven students attend the school.
Wawota
The local legion is holding its annual Remembrance Day service in the Wawota Town Hall.
“This year, our legion has decided to open our service to the public. Our guest speaker is Ed James, a World War II historian from Manitoba. Immediately after the ceremony, everyone is welcome to join us for a delicious roast beef lunch. It is being catered to and the cost is $20,” said secretary Ross Corkish.
It is interesting to note that in the days before Remembrance Day, Wawota legion members visit seven cemeteries in the surrounding area. The 135 veterans that lie there are solemnly honoured with a Canadian flag added to their gravesite.
