Our community remembers those who fought for the freedom that we all enjoy today.
The H. Hardcastle school students along with members of the community remembered Nov. 9. Their service started at 2 p.m. with the entrance of the flags, and honoured guests. Flag bearers, Anthony Cole and Wyatt Malenfant, along with Constable Morgan Sibley led the Legion members into the gym. Legion members joining the students this year were, Charlie McCaffrey, Thomas Terpstra, Frank Poole, Sam Cole, Hugette MacGregor, and Helen Hamel.
MC, Bailey Delainey, welcomed all in attendance and invited Brooke Roach to sing O Canada accompanied on piano by Mrs. Darcy de Montarnal.
Throughout the service the winners of last year's poem and essay contest read their entries. Those students included Shanae Blaquiere, Kelcey McCarthy, Shaylyn McConnell, Kesha Schaefer and Kennedy Schaefer.
Also taking part in the service were the Grade 1 and 2 class singing See the Poppies led by Mrs. Tracy Long. Mrs. Bev Mannix read a special letter sent to Sam Cole from a woman who had been a child when the Canadians were fighting in her country thanking him for his story in his memoir Bridging Troubled Water.
The Grade 4 and 5 class In Flanders Fields under the direction of Mrs. Laura LaClare. Mrs. Darcy de Montarnal's Grade 2 and 3 class recited the lyrics to One Tin Soldier. The last class to take part was the Grade 8 class with Zach Gordon, Cordell Beynon, Tyson Long and Mason Detillieux reading a Robert Service poem, Only a Boche.
Laying wreathes this year were: kindergarten - Mia Weber and Drake Wilson, Grade 1 - Gage McDonald, Grade 2 - Carlie Mosimann, Grade 3 - Tyne Cole, Grade 4 - Jade Cole, Grade 5 - Brooke Bonsan, Grade 6 - Courtney Fudge, Grade 7 - Cody Lavallee, Grade 8 - Mason Detillieux, Grade 9 - Kalie Nordell, Grade 10 - Kaitlyn McCarthy, Grade 11 - Joel Blaquiere, Grade 12 - Mikayla Detillieux, Staff - Mrs. Darcy de Montarnal, School Community Council - Tracy Long, RCMP - Cst. Morgan Sibley, Royal Canadian Legion - branch president Charlie McCaffrey.
Once again this year there was a slide show of the veterans and those who lost their lives in the World Wars as well as those that have served in the Korean War, United Nations Peacekeeping operations and currently serving in Afghanistan. The service closed with a video, Soldiers Cry.
The flag bearers and Cst. Sibley then escorted the Legion members from the gym.
The annual Remembrance Day service was held at the Royal Canadian Legion at 10:15 Nov. 11. The service opened with O Canada accompanied on piano by Hugette MacGregor. Officiating were Pastor Dave Walker and Rev. Fingh Do. Following tradition, In Flanders Fields was read by Hugette MacGregor. The message given was "Don't Lose Heart."
Following the service Judy Carignan read the address from MP Gerry Ritz. During the minute of silence, Sam Cole was the flag bearer. Laying wreathes were: for the Canadian Government - Charlie McCaffrey; for the Saskatchewan Government - Frank Poole; for municipal governments - Louis McCaffrey (RM) and Ken McConnell (Village of Edam); Ken McConnell, Barry Weitzel and the manager of the Rendez Vous Hotel for all others.
Those in attendance were invited to stay for lunch and fellowship at the end of the service.
The winners of the annual Legion contest for poem, essay, colour posters and black and white poster were revealed. I will have those at a later date when the students are presented with their certificates.
