Prince Albert's Remembrance Day Service commenced with the March on of the Colours. (paNOW Staff)

By Teena Monteleone

Remembrance Day Service

Reflection and resilience: Prince Albert remembers

Nov 11, 2025 | 2:52 PM

Hundreds gathered inside the Prince Albert Armoury Tuesday morning to mark Remembrance Day — a solemn ceremony honouring the lives of those who served and sacrificed for Canada’s freedom.

The event, hosted by Master of Ceremonies Grant Ursaki, brought together veterans and active military personnel, young cadets, corrections and emergency responders, and members of the public. Elder Liz Settee performed a traditional smudging to start the ceremony.

Hundreds gathered for the service. (paNOW Staff)

The North Saskatchewan Regiment delivered a gun salute, and the names of 11 veterans who passed away over the last year were read aloud in an honour roll. The list included: Lee Gisi, Harold Harris, Clarence Jackson, Lawrence Joseph, Joe Noke, Edwin Laird, Dale Meachem, Douglas “Mickey” Zwack, Allan Olson, Andrew Clifford “Cliff” Hlewka , Kimberly Bueckert, and Joyce Ryder.

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“We will remember them,” Ursaki said.

The service included scripture readings, hymns, laying of wreaths and a gun salute. (paNOW Staff)

Lise Malenfant and her son Meyer laid the first wreath on behalf of the Memorial Cross families. The P.A. Pipes and Drums, led by piper Dave Monette, the Prince Alber City Band and vocalist Julie Abbs provided the music that carried through the service, while bugler Scott Roos performed The Last Post. But amid the traditional tributes, the ceremony also offered a message that resonated deeply with today’s realities — a reminder not just of sacrifice, but of ongoing struggles that many veterans and first responders still face.

That message came from Capt. Mark Kleiner, who delivered the Remembrance Day address. He urged those gathered to remember not only the fallen but also those who continue to live with the invisible wounds of service.

“They live through the dangers and demands of active service, but continue to bear scars — including those invisible to all but themselves, and also perhaps their immediate loved ones,” Kleiner said. “I’m old enough to remember when what we now refer to as post-traumatic stress injury went by the name shell shock and our civil discourse lacked a general acknowledgment of so much silent suffering.”

A large contingent of youth from Royal Canadian Air, Army, and Sea Cadet Corps and Squadrons were present. (paNOW Staff)

Kleiner reflected on the changing conversation around mental health, noting that while previous generations of veterans often suffered in silence, today’s culture has grown more open in acknowledging and addressing those challenges. He said he was struck by how we have grown more articulate about human suffering.

“As we do in our day, [we] must maintain as its counterpoint the muscle to do something about it,” he said. “And the truth is we need both emotional honesty and human capacity to continue to build upon the very best aspects of our national legacy and those who have died for it.

His words highlighted a dual message of gratitude for the freedoms earned through sacrifice, and responsibility to care for those who continue to carry the emotional and psychological burdens of service.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com