WEYBURN – The Weyburn branch of the Royal Canadian Legion held a memorial for the late Queen Elizabeth II, with a ceremony at the cenotaph on Monday, the same day for her funeral service in London, England.
The Union Jack was raised to half-mast for the ceremony, and the Legion’s Colour Guard led a party of dignitaries from the Legion Hall to the cenotaph for the short ceremony. A small crowd of residents were in attendance at the site.
Chaplain Victoria Mwamasika offered a prayer, and the public and Legion members present were invited to lay a poppy at the base of the cenotaph in memory of the queen.
A wreath was laid by branch president Brian Glass on behalf of the Weyburn Legion, and vice-president Jerry Ponto passed on a message from the Royal Canadian Legion’s Dominion President, Bruce Julian.
“Our deep feeling of honour and respect for Her Majesty and our memories of her will remain forever entrenched in our minds and hearts,” he said.
He noted the term “Royal” became part of the Legion’s name when Queen Elizabeth gave permission in 1961. She was a veteran of the Second World War, as she served as an army driver and mechanic, noted Julian, adding, “The late queen was a true role model of composure and grace and will be remembered fondly.”
It was also noted that a number of the Royal Family have also paid tribute to Canada’s veterans over the years, including at Canada’s National War Memorial in Ottawa in 2009, and in 2022 in honour of the Queen’s 70th Platinum Jubilee.
“The Legion was launched with a mission of being a strong voice for First World War veterans, and today that support extends to the military and RCMP veterans and those serving abroad,” said Ponto, adding that with the succession by King Charles III, the Legion’s ties to the monarchy and the Commonwealth will continue and remain strong.
