The Wetaskiwin Royal Canadian Legion Br. 86 held a private Remembrance Day service this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, with a live stream on Facebook of the service for those not present in person.
The live stream service was just under 40 minutes long and had over 3,000 views.
“This year ceremonies across the country, and the world look different than years past,” said President of the Wetaskiwin Royal Canadian Legion, Ken Schubert in his speech at the service. “For the first time ever people have been asked to not attend ceremonies in person. While we may be physically distanced, we can remain socially connected.”
“Together we will ensure that the tradition of remembrance continues and that Canada’s fallen will not be forgotten.”
Speakers at the service included Schubert, City of Wetaskiwin Mayor Tyler Gandam, Chaplin of the Royal Canadian Legion Wetaskiwin Branch #86 Hugh Matheson, and representative of Branch 86 Ladies Auxiliary President Janice Drader-Jamieson.
“As a Legion we are here to remember, we are here to respect,” said Schubert. “We respect our veterans, we respect our serving officers, we respect the RCMP, the firemen, the EMS. It is not up to us to say what is right and wrong. It is up to us to remember that the people who are serving are doing it for us.”
“Remembrance Day is not about remembering the horrors of war or glorifying it. Remembrance Day is about remembering the people who served us so we have the freedoms to make decisions, that we have the freedoms to do the things that we do daily.”
Schubert asked those attending and watching the service virtually to take time that day, regardless of what they are doing, to reflect on the service of those who fought for our freedoms.
Following the service, Legion members, RCMP members and City of Wetaskiwin Mayor Tyler Gandam marched to the Cenotaph at 50 Ave. Bagpipers lead the way as the flags were marched in as well as the wreaths that were laid at the base of the Cenotaph.
shaela.dansereau@pipestoneflyer.ca
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