Parade captain speaks on meaning of Remembrance Day

While the focus on Remembrance Day is often on those that passed on long ago protecting our freedoms during the World Wars, this year’s ceremony carried an extra weight.

There was a crack in the voice of Master of Ceremonies Grant Uraski when he mentioned the name of the recently deceased Private Shaun Farrell, followed by a hush that fell over the crowd.

This year’s parade commander was Captain John Langam, who has served 19 years with the North Saskatchewan Regiment. He said that knowing someone so close to home recently passed made this year’s ceremony carry extra weight on the soldiers participating.

“I was always told this day is not about the soldiers, it’s about the ones who passed on, the ones who came before us. So when it comes to names like Private Farrell as well, I was here for the funeral as well, today is a lot heavier just because it does mean a lot to me. I always try to remember the ones who paved the way before us where we’re currently serving in now.”