Pipestone Flyer
When I (Barry McDonald) met Lindsay Yargeau, representative of the youth of Wetaskiwin, at the Remembrance Day ceremonies and chatted with her about her views of Remembrance Day and what the event meant to youth in Wetaskiwin and to her personally, I was impressed with her response. The views and opinions she offered had been carefully thought out and presented. So much in fact, that I asked her to share her views with the 24,000 readers of the Pipestone Flyer. The following is her response.
For me, Remembrance Day means remembering those Canadians that lost their lives
By Lindsay Yargeau, Youth Representative
When I was asked to ring the bell marking the names of the Wetaskiwin Legion members who have passed away in the past year at this year’s Remembrance Day ceremonies, I really didn’t know what to expect. I also found out just prior to Remembrance Day that I would be placing a wreath on behalf of the youth of Wetaskiwin at the Ceremony. I originally submitted a colour poster for the 2013 poster contest and won first place. The reason I was chosen to participate in the Remembrance Day Ceremonies is because of this first place finish in the poster contest. I was very happy to be recognized for my artwork. I was also surprised and very honoured to have been selected to represent the youth of Wetaskiwin at the ceremonies at the drill hall on Remembrance Day.
For me, Remembrance Day means remembering those Canadians that lost their lives and also those that served and returned to Canada. These men and women gave everything to defend the rights and freedoms that make Canada one of the greatest countries in the entire world to live in. It also means honouring those men and women who are still working today to serve and protect us at home and overseas. I don’t think that I’m the only young person that feels this way about Remembrance Day. I think that there is a lot of awareness out there about Remembrance Day. A lot of the information I have learned about our Armed Forces and Veterans have come from my parents. They are both supporters of the Royal Canadian Legion and have taken the time to make me aware of the human cost that has been part of our military history and the fact that Canadian soldiers were prepared to die for what they believed in and for what was right.
Many things that we enjoy as Canadians are due to the commitment and dedication of those true Canadian Heroes. A lot of them were not much older than I am when the call came to go and fight. They gave up a lot. Many gave up their lives. We owe them all so much and we cannot lose sight of that or forget it in any way ever. I believe that all of these men and women in uniform deserve a huge amount of gratitude from us ‘regular’ Canadians. I also think that the future of Remembrance Day is that it will remain a Canadian tradition always. We will never forget. I hope that Canadians of my age group will continue to honour these great Canadian Heroes for many, many years to come.
So, when you asked what it meant to be chosen to represent the youth of Wetaskiwin at the Remembrance Day ceremonies, it was not so easy an answer for me to describe. It meant a lot to do so, not only on behalf of the youth of Wetaskiwin, but on behalf of my family as well. Lest we forget.
Pictured: Youth Representative, Lindsay Yargeau, at 2014 Remembrance Day Service, Wetaskiwin. Photo by Barry McDonald