The Cafetorium at the Estevan Comprehensive School was filled to overflowing at 10:45 a.m. on Nov. 11 as Estevan citizens gathered to pay tribute to those who had died in combat in the name of democracy.
The Royal Canadian Legion’s program of remembrance and a wreath-laying ceremony in the school’s courtyard following the service, drove the point home that peace is often a fragile thing.
The temporary cenotaph in the courtyard served as the focal point for the wreath ceremony that included a Silver Cross Mother this year with Bev. Skaalrud, who lost her son to the war in Afghanistan in 2005. She removed the poppy from the lapel of her jacket, kissed it and then placed it within the Silver Cross wreath that she deposited at the cenotaph. Following the service, the former Wadena-area resident said that even with several years now placed between her and the loss, it still brings a tear, especially on occasions such as those taking place on Nov. 11.
Souris-Moose Mountain MP Ed Komarnicki was another dignitary who placed a wreath of remembrance, perhaps thinking quite clearly of the recent attack on democracy in Ottawa, close to the caucus meeting room he was in when a single terrorist was just a few feet away, making an attempt to gain further access into the House of Commons corridors after killing a reservist soldier who had been performing sentry duties just outside the Parliament buildings. The intruder was killed by Parliament Hill security in the chaotic activity that ensued.
The somber reflections, moments of silence, piping and brass band music all added to the dignity of the morning’s program that began with the arrival of the dignitaries, the colours and the Legion members and veterans. A prayer of invocation offered by Marian Huber was followed by words of welcome from emcee Comrade Geoff Thiessen and then the playing of the Last Post and Reveille by Matthew Grunert, a member of the Cross Border Brass band that provided accompaniment for the hymns.
PPCLI Elks Army Cadet Piper Ryan Fry played Amazing Grace at the flame placed near the temporary cenotaph on stage in the Cafetorium, and Estevan Branch 60 Royal Canadian Legion president Troy LeBlanc, read the roll of honour.
The response to the poem, In Flanders Field, was provided by Wylie-Mitchell Air Cadet Corporal Jenna Cinnamon.
The wreath to honour the unknown soldier was placed by LeBlanc and the Legion’s past president Eileen Rosner.
Thiessen and Huber also provided emcee duties and prayer at the courtyard ceremony.
The traditional salute to veterans in the form of a video/audio presentation had to be cancelled this year due to last minute technical glitches, while the rest of the program proceeded without incident.
It was noted that due to escalated security concerns based on the recent incidents in Quebec and Ottawa, in which military personnel were singled out by home-grown terrorists, the security detail surrounding the program in Estevan was also increased this year. There were at least four additional members of the Estevan Police Service quietly providing perimeter scanning and protection at the school during the public gathering.
