The Lloydminster Cemetery saw one of its largest crowds yet on Nov. 7 for the annual No Stone Left Alone ceremony, with politicians, local air cadets, students and members of the Canadian Armed Forces from CFB Wainwright among those in attendance.
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The ceremony, which sees community members place poppies on the headstones of veterans buried at the cemetery, has expanded in size each year since it began locally.
This year’s event was again led by the 186 Air Cadets, who helped coordinate the ceremony alongside students, dignitaries and Canadian Armed Forces personnel.
No Stone Left Alone has historically been held under snowfall in the Border City, but this year participants dealt only with wind as they gathered to honour veterans ahead of Remembrance Day.
Last year’s ceremony also drew a large crowd of residents and military representatives to the cemetery.
Several speakers at this year’s ceremony referenced the recent tragedy at CFB Wainwright, where families of those affected were notified following a fire at the base last month.
The incident, which followed a training area incident that prompted assistance from Wainwright RCMP, was a recurring talking point among those who addressed the crowd.
Speakers repeated a message of unity throughout the ceremony, telling attendees that communities are stronger together in the face of loss, a theme echoed in a recent column reflecting on the Wainwright tragedy.
No Stone Left Alone is held annually ahead of Nov. 11 as part of Remembrance Day observances across the Lloydminster region.
Organizers say the event continues to grow in size and participation each year, with students, cadets and military representatives expected to return for next year’s ceremony.
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