A veteran stands in front of one of the six new monuments that were unveiled at Memorial Square on Sunday. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Veterans

Decoration Day ceremony leads to monument unveiling at City Hall

Jun 11, 2023 | 5:40 PM

Prince Albert’s veterans were honored at two separate ceremonies in the city on Sunday.

The first was the Decoration Day ceremony at South Hill Cemetery, bringing together military veterans and those who wish to pay their respects to those who have fought and died for their country.

Rick Hodgson, president of The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 2 in Prince Albert told paNOW that the day takes place the first Sunday after June 6, the anniversary of D-Day.

“It keeps the (memories) going for the veterans for what they did for us,” he explained. “It’s a service put together in memory of what the veterans did for us overseas, similar to Remembrance Day. The cadets go out and lay the flags in front of all the veteran’s headstones for them, things that they’ve always done.”

A cadet picks up a Canadian flag in front of a Veterans headstone following the conclusion of the Decoration Day ceremony at South Hill Cemetery. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW staff)

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Compared to years past, however, Hodgson said that he’s seeing fewer and fewer people come out for the event.

“It’s been getting quieter and quieter over the years. I’ve been involved for about ten years from when we used to haul out chairs and kind of set up, there would be lots of people there. It’s getting quieter and quieter but we still have to keep doing it to keep it going.”

Shortly after the ceremony, another was held at Memorial Square in front of City Hall where six new monuments were unveiled honouring Korea, Peacekeepers, Indigenous Veterans, Women and Afghanistan Veterans. Along with the unveiling four metal benches were also erected in the square, each with lines from the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ carved into the backrests.

Two of the four new benches at Memorial Square, each carved with lines from the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW staff)

Afghan war veteran and highest-ranking army reserve soldier in Western Canada Brigadier-General Gwen Bourque was on hand for the event and said a few words honouring the day and the new monuments.

“Monuments and ceremonies like this give us a chance to honour the memory of all the military personnel whose heroism and selflessness deserve the utmost respect and admiration,” she said.

Brigadier-General Gwen Bourque places a wreath in front of the World War II Cenotaph as a part of the unveiling ceremony. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW staff)

“Today, we are here to honour those who served in Korea through Afghanistan. As someone who deployed to Afghanistan, this is very personal to me. Many of us on these missions lost brothers and sisters along the way with their memory still fresh in our minds today. Now, the legacy of these wars will continue to live on. Our members served with valour and selflessness, and they went there to make a difference in this world and defend our nation. And they accomplished all of this.”

The six new monuments that stand on either side of the World War II Cenotaph in Memorial Square, each honouring Korea, Peacekeepers, Indigenous Veterans, Women and Afghanistan Veterans. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW staff)

Additionally, Mayor Greg Dionne took to the podium and said that the city is beginning to rename some of its streets and parks to honour those who have served.

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Chief Karen Bird was also on hand for the event along with Colonel Shawn Fortin, Commander 38 Canadian Brigade Group.

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logan.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @lloganlehmann