Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 241 held its annual candlelight tribute ceremony at the Veteran’s Corner Cenotaph earlier this month.
For the second year now, there were close to 50 people in attendance, a noteworthy and welcome trend for this yearly observance.
Once again the weather was cool, but there was warmth that emulated from the Nov. 5 service itself and from congregating with others in the act of remembrance.
The leader of the assembly, Legion president Sharon Stubbs, opened the service.
“During this week, November 5 to 11, hundreds of commemorative ceremonies and events will take place across the country to recognize the achievements of our veterans and honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Stubbs. “During Veterans’ Week, there are many ways to show that you remember and honour our veterans. Pin a poppy above your heart. Attend the local Remembrance Day ceremony.
Talk to a friend or relative who has just returned home from Afghanistan or who served in other areas of conflict. Listen to veterans talk about their experiences.”
Stubbs called Halleigh Johnston, great-granddaughter of Second World War veteran Eric Stoltz and the daughter of Afghanistan veteran Kelly Johnston, forward to recite the “Commitment to Remember.”
Miss Johnston said: “They were young, as we are young. They served, giving freely of themselves. To them we pledge, amid the winds of time, to carry their torch and never forget. We will remember them. Lord God of host, be with us yet. Lest we Forget. Lest we Forget.”
When Miss Johnston receded back to the assembly, Comrade Cathy Stabback read the Veterans’ Prayer. Following this, Mrs. Stubbs stated she would like to remember her husband, veteran Gerry Stubbs, and she also lit a candle for and acknowledged the following veterans who no longer have family living in Snow Lake: Herb Halverson, Gordon Kitchen, John Dutka, Hanley Dahle, Harry Graham, Peter Tataryn, AIbert Schweitzer, Peter Smadella, Gordon Rupp, Clayton Robinson, Jim Kjalgaard, Norm Lindsey, Stan Major, Paul Neilson, Lorne Porter, George Gamble, Joe Walters, Jack Goodall, Wilf Lipton, Jake Bitzer, and Fred and Eileen Burr.
Subsequently, comrades Stubbs and Stabback began calling forward those who wished to lay candles: Gail Eastman and Halleigh Johnston for Second World War vet Eric Stoltz, First World War vet Harry Roberts and Afghanistan vet Chad Horn; Desert Storm veteran Darren Longpré for Korean War vet Lucien Longpre; Agnes Hornyak and Dennis Hornyak for Korean vets Russell, Roy and Glenn MacDonald, and Second World War vets Joe, Andy and George Galambos; Joanne Bradley for Second World War vet Bob Bradley; Jody Wilson and Cam Booth for Second World War vet Ted Wilson; Maralyn Romanuik for Second World War vet Gordon McKercher; Ella Nogier for Second World War vet Boedy Glidden; Marilyn and John Humeniuk for Second World War vet Robert Wilson and First World War vet Art Wilson; Twila Korchinski for First World War vet Joseph H. Kerr; Lois Charron for Second World War vet Jake Bitzer; Marc Jackson for Second World War vet Ian M. Jackson; Leone Jackson for Second World War vet Joan Currie; Betty and Brian Hicks for Second World War vets Gordon R. Doak and Eileen Burr, and all fallen soldiers; Joyce Radford for Second World War vets Ken Radford and Peggy Radford; Darlene and Bill Pleasance Second World War vets Covert and Doreen (nee Wanamaker) Armsworthy; the Wanamaker Family for Second World War vets and the McLean and Pleasance family for Second and First World War vets; Richard Jones for Boer War vet Richard Jones; Jackie Jones for Second World War vets Dave and George Carrier; Kim Stephens and Richard Jones for the Town of Snow Lake; Katie Spruyt for Opa Spruyt; Sydney, Darcy and Connor Coulson for Second World War vet Gordon R. Doak; Rick Leaman for all veterans; and Phyllis Verbeek for Tom Verbeek.
Comrade Cathy Stabback then recited “Forget Them Not,” she began: “We’ve lined their boots all in a row, And amongst them stand, The saddest scene I’ll ever know, Goodbye dear friend, goodbye! Through mud and rain and battle blows, We cried cursed prayers, On blood-soaked clothes; And from that wound his life did flow, Please stay we begged, please stay! There is a time that soldiers know.
“When so many die, That the pain and woe, ls too much for the mind to hold; Roll on your drums, roll on! A band of brothers stand in their rows; The empty boots still, Where a life did grow, Our friends have gone, no more to know; Remember them always, Remember!”
To end the ceremony, Stubbs fittingly called veteran Darren Longpré (who stood on guard as those congregated laid their candles) forward to recite the “Act of Remembrance,” which is the fourth stanza of Lawrence Binyon’s poem For the Fallen.
He stated with the emotion that all in attendance felt on this cold evening: “They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”
Mrs. Stubbs thanked everyone for attending and noted that the candles would remain lit until Nov. 11.
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