The Norquay branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, which includes members of Pelly and Sturgis, held its Remembrance Day service at 11 a.m. on November 11 at the Norquay Communiplex.
Laura Dahl, president, laid a wreath at the Legion cenotaph, after which members of the RCMP led the parade, followed by the colour party and Legion members, as they marched from the Legion to the Communiplex.
Everyone in attendance stood as the RCMP, colour party and Legion members marched in and were seated. Representatives of various churches and the pianist were seated on the stage. The program opened with the singing of O Canada, followed by a taped recording of The Last Post, and after two minutes of silence, Reveille was played.
Dahl opened the program. “They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old” she said. “Age shall not weary them nor do the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them," to which the people responded, "We will remember them."
The invocation was given by Joanne Jenner of the Norquay Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
A total of 82 wreathes were laid around the cenotaph by various Legion members and people in the congregation. They represented businesses from Norquay, Pelly, Hyas and Sturgis.
Heads bowed as Pastor Arden Gustafson of the Norquay Covenant Church, said the opening prayer and Diane Romanow of the Norquay Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church, the closing prayer.
Hymns sung were Faith of our Fathers and Oh God our Help in Ages Past with Kathy Ostafichuk at the piano.
Robin Yagelniski of the Norquay St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church, read Scriptures, John 12:24 and Mathew 28: 18-20.
Thomas Hazlett of Pelly sang two songs, Hallelujah and Falling Slowly, while accompanying himself on the guitar.
Pastor Frankie Kim of the Pelly Fellowship Chapel, delivered the meditation. He based his message on Luke 10:30-36, Parable of Good Samaritan.
"Firstly, I want to express my appreciation to Canada,” Kim said. “Seventy years ago, Canada sent a lot of young people to a small country in East Asia.
“There was a war between the North and South in the Korea Peninsula. Canada sent about 50,000 soldiers and they mostly were the front line. Because of young people's sacrifice, my country, South Korea could keep freedom, and now, I can be here. I really thank you for your sacrifice.
“Before the Korean War, Canada also sent a lot of soldiers to Europe for the First and Second World Wars. Where there was war, there was the Canadian Army to keep their freedom [sic]. If so, why did Canada send the soldiers to Europe and the Korea Peninsula?
“Canadian, they knew what the life is. Canada became the friend of other nations as Jesus became the friend of the strangers and aliens.
“Nowadays, I get some sad news about individualism. People in Canada no more want to be a friend of other nations. People are more focused on their needy [own needs] and welfare. The world still needs [a] friend. God calls us as a friend for them.
“When Korea needed the help, Canada did not refuse it. When my country of Korea had a great difficulty due to Japanese colonnization 120 years ago, so people could not live in Korea so they went to the place in China near the Korean border. When they could not do something by themselves, they requested help from Canada. And they [Canada] sent a missionary there and helped them.
“Sacrifice, it is difficult but it changes the world. Our father and grandfather gave their life to the world as Jesus did. So Canada became a friend of the nations. We will not forget this mind and sacrifice. Please keep and preserve Canada’s love and sacrifice. We are the neighbour of the world as the Samaritan was. Let’s spread the mind of Samaritan as our ancestors did. This is the Love of God and Grace of Jesus," Kim concluded.
Velda Dahlin of the Norquay United Church gave the final Benediction.
The colours were retrieved, followed by the singing of God Save the Queen.
Immediately after the service, Laura Dahl said grace before a beef supper, catered by the Whistlestop restaurant, was served. The Toast to the Queen was given by Cora Stobee.
Don Tower, Norquay mayor, presented greetings on behalf of Norquay Town Council.
