The community of Lloydminster came together the morning of Nov. 11 to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Over 400 veterans, dignitaries, cadets and citizens gathered at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School for the service.
During the ceremony, Royal Canadian Legion Rev. Lyle Berg shared the experience of a co-worker who served in the Second World War.
While working with him as a member of the Winnipeg Police, his friend would occasionally reminisce about the war. The individual, whom he didn’t name, served flying in a Mosquito Bomber. He recounted a story he was told to those in attendance.
“We were scared, he always started off with that. He said every day we would get into our Mosquito Bomber … when we returned home to England, we’d go out the next day. There wasn’t enough stuff to fill the holes, and our Mosquito whistled like a bunch of birds when we were flying,” recalled Berg. “Then a smile would cross his face.
Despite bearing the loss of friends, the scars of freedom he bore, he’d start talking about his grandchildren. He’d repeat one word, victory … we had victory.”
Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers also took time to address the crowd about the day’s significance.
“As we pin on our poppies we remember the privileges’ we enjoy today. The freedom of thought, the freedom to gather, the freedom to speak, the freedom to vote, to dream, to build our futures,” stated Aalbers. “They are all tied to the sacrifices of those who came before us, it’s a solemn reminder our freedoms we hold dear are not simply inherited. They are upheld by a long history of courage and resilience.”
Morning Has Broken, Amazing Grace, Last Post, and Reveille were all musical parts of the ceremony. After the service, those gathered were welcomed back to the Legion for lunch.
During lunch, cheques were presented to various community organizations to help with community programs.
The Salvation Army and The Olive Tree each received $6,000. Both school division breakfast programs received $2,500. The local cadet program received $5,000 for helping out with Legion functions.
A touching moment at the end occurred when the late Paul Forges’ wife, Faye Forges, accepted a plaque to go on the wall in remembrance of Paul. Paul helped broadcast the yearly ceremony, a tradition his wife promises to carry on.
The Legion wanted to thank everyone for attending and taking time to remember. Lest We Forget.
Read more: Opinion: F.O. Arthur Morlidge remembered
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