Members of the Prince Albert Police Service and Fire Dept. look as a cadet places a Canadian flag near a headstone. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

We will remember them

Annual Decoration Day recognizes D-Day anniversary and pays respects to Indigenous veterans

Jun 10, 2024 | 7:00 AM

Prince Albert’s Diane Hammill looked on as young cadets place dozens of small Canadian flags at the foot of veterans’ grave stones.

Her father was among the soldiers to land on Juno Beach, and his job was securing a ladder for the boat. Despite being shot in the head, the brave soldier suffered only a minor injury and returned to work as soon as possible. Attending the annual Decoration Day ceremony in Prince Albert, Hammill told paNOW it was very emotional to be standing there.

“And we have to be thankful. We can’t forget and we have to look after our country,” she said.

Sunday’s event at South Hill Cemetary was organized by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch, and brings together military veterans, and those who wish to pay their respects to those that have fought and died for their country.

Shirlee Nystrom’s father served with the Regina Rifles and during the second world war, was stationed in England, France, Germany, and was there for the liberation of the Netherlands. He returned home, but Nystrom’s uncle was not so fortunate and was among the Canadian soldiers to die during the invasion

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“‘I’m grateful because if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have our rights and freedoms in this country,” she said. “My uncle gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Parade Marshall Glen Stieb. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Noting a number of small children who were present to view the ceremony, Nystrom expressed her hope that schools not only make a point to talk about the wars, but also ymake it part of the curriculum.

“Sometimes life gets busy, and we forget about things that happed in the past. If we do let it be forgotten, it’s too our detriment,” she said.

One of the big changes to this year’s program was the fact it was preceded by a smudging ceremony. This was done to better honour the contributions of the Indigenous veterans and Wayne Ahenakew from Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation was asked to read a prayer in Cree. Noting that he himself was a veteran, as well as his brother, Ahenakew said he was honoured to be a part of the ceremony and to pay respects to the Indigenous men who, despite a promise by the Monarch that they did not have to go to war, did so anyway.

“Our people chose to protect this beautiful Turtle Island,” he said

Wayne Ahenakew addressed the crowd. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The colour party. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Young members of the ANAVETS. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Speaking afterwards with paNOW about the inclusion of the smudging ceremony, Ahenakew explained it’s a good way to bring people together.

“We’ve been here 10, 000 years and our newcomers have only been here 500 years, but we all pray to the same creator,” he said.

One of the more emotional aspects of Sunday’s one hour program was the realization that we are losing more World War II veterans. The names of the seven local area veterans who have passed since last year were read aloud. Father Jim Kaptein acknowledged the row upon row of veterans’ graves.

“They were’t famous celebrity, they were ordinary people who worked hard, broke the land, carved out farms for themselves and built our town,” he said.

On the question of why these brave men went to war, Father Kaptein explained no one wakes up in the morning with a desire to go to war, but added the soldier recognized innocent people were being killed and felt they needed to do something about it.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell