Tomorrow is Remembrance Day, and thanks to Covid, there will be no public Remembrance Day ceremony, possibly for the first time. I am thankful that over the past few decades there has been a return to better attendance at these ceremonies, and I hope that a year away from it doesn’t lead to smaller numbers in the future. I read this morning that fewer people have bought a poppy this year, and that made me sad.
Lest we forget. You hear it said a lot around this time of year, but do you know what it means? It means that if we forget what these brave people have done to protect our freedoms, we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past, and their efforts will have been in vain. It’s especially important for the next generation to learn the importance of Remembrance Day, so I suggest bundling up the younger ones and doing one or more of the following…
Take them to the soldiers section of the South Hill Cemetery here in PA. Have them walk among the headstones of the World War One and World War Two veterans and look at the dates, and names of those buried there. Maybe take a few notes from what’s written on the headstones about the units they served with, then go home and Google the information and learn what battles that particular soldier participated in. You might even try to Google that person and learn more about who they were. It’s important for the next generation to know that these were real people and not just names on a stone.
You can also take the kids to see the First World War Memorial in front to the federal courthouse on the hill. I’m willing to bet you’ve driven past there a million times and didn’t know what that monument was about.
For a look at the memorial to the second world war, all you have to do is go downtown and stop at Memorial Square in front of city hall… hence the name Memorial Square.
Of course those are the major conflicts that everyone thinks of when Remembrance Day rolls around, but lets not forget those that have fought in Korea, or those that have served in peacekeeping missions around the world, some of which were more of a war zone than many of us realize. Or even just soldiers who have never had the opportunity to deploy to some far away land, but are ready and willing to put themselves in harms way should the call come.
Remember as well, that Veterans are not just the old men you see in their Legion uniform each year, but young men and women in their 20, 30’s and even 40’s. My buddy, Chief Warrant Officer Ramsay Bellisle, is one of those people. In his 20’s he served with Canadian UN forces in Bosnia, and in 2009 did a tour of Afghanistan. He knows what it’s like to lose friends to war, and will be the first to tell you that they are the real heroes. And not only does he serve our country, his wife is a Captain and their son is a Corporal with the Canadian Armed Forces. Ramsay is currently the Regimental Sergeant Major of the North Saskatchewan Regiment, but I just call him my best friend.
The Historical Museum at Central & River St have a special Remembrance Day display featuring more stories of some of the people of Prince Albert that have served. The museum will be open for Remembrance Day free of charge between 1 and 4 pm. Of course, due to Covid there is limited capacity, so they are encouraging people to book a timed entry slot to avoid having to wait. Walk-ins will also be accepted pending space. For more information or to book your entry slot please call 306 764 2992 or email museumeducator@historypa.com
So on Remembrance Day when you’re reading those names on headstones and plaques, don’t forget that these soldiers were all normal people like you, with hopes and dreams and plans for a future. Some of them gave up their future so that yours would be one of freedom, and the ones that returned will never be the same.
To those that have served and are serving, I thank you.
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