All were welcomed to watch Melfort and Humboldt's memorial services at their local Cenotaph's (Rachel May/NortheastNOW staff)

By Rachel May

Lest We Forget

Remembrance Day services in the Northeast

Nov 11, 2021 | 1:56 PM

Royal Canadian Legions across the Northeast took time to remember those who fought for our freedoms with Remembrance Day services.

This morning, the Legion #30 Melfort branch invited the public to attend an outdoor service at the Melfort cenotaph which included the laying of wreaths and lowing of the flags to half-mast.

Nationally, there had been questions ahead of this year’s events around whether the government would keep flags at half-mast, as they had been since May in memory of Indigenous children who died attending residential schools. But the government opted on Sunday to raise the flags back up to their full height before lowering them again on Monday in honour of Indigenous Veterans Day, and they were lowered again today.

The outdoor service was followed by a small indoor ceremony, also streamed through the Legion’s Facebook page, that featured speeches, prayers, songs and a moment of silence for those who made the ultimate sacrifices for our freedoms.

Jim Graham, president of the Melfort Legion, said the virtual service this year was similar to programs in the past. “We throw in a few changes each year based on topical things. Like some of our achievements over the year and some of the work going through the poppy campaign. “

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This year there was a bake sale to help raise funds for the poppy campaign. Nearly all baked goods were sold which helped raise nearly $1200.

Graham said there are many ways to honour veterans every day of the year.

“I think it’s taking advantage of opportunities. We have a decoration day each June where we put out flags at each veteran’s gravesite,” Graham added. “We always used to do it with legion members with air cadets but since they aren’t able to participate we have invited the public.”

At the Melfort Legion, there are 850 pictures. Each picture represents a soldier from Melfort that gave their life.

“850 pictures represent people who made a sacrifice. Our sacrifices are never going to be as big as theirs were and people should remember that every day of the year. ”

Graham said Remembrance Day is more than just what happened in past wars.

“It’s remembering that the past is a really important reflection of what is going to take place in the future. Making sure we hold governments responsible, making sure when they go into conflicts they go in with their eyes opened,” he said.

Other areas across the northeast also held services to honour the soldiers who laid down their lives for ours. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #28 in Humboldt held their service at the Humboldt cenotaph with about 60 people braving the cold to attend.

Rev. Al Hingley leads the service at the Humboldt cenotaph. (Becky Zimmer/ NortheastNOW staff)

Three active service members and one retired service member stand together in salute. (Becky Zimmer/ NortheastNOW staff)

All wreaths were laid in advance except for one laid by the Lake Lenore Elk representative, Emil Vedress. Rev. Al Hingley who presided over the service said this was Vedress’s 44th year laying wreaths at the service.

-With files from Becky Zimmer and the Canadian Press

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Rachel.May@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RachelMayFM