Remembrance Day

This Remembrance Day, veterans and the public gathered together at the new Kensington Legion to pay respects and remember those who served.

“We come together in respect and gratitude for those both past and present, those dead and those alive, and those with visible and invisible wounds,” said Dr. David Swann, MLA for Calgary-Mountain View, who spoke at the ceremony.

The ceremony was led by the Kensington Legion’s Comrade President William Cox, and this was the first Remembrance Day ceremony held in the Legion’s new building.

The audience held about 250 people, with very little standing space left once the ceremony began.

Many who served were in attendance: eight from World War II, three from the Korean War, seven Peacekeepers, five from Afghanistan, two with the RCMP, three currently in the military, and five with the Calgary Police.

In Swann’s speech, he recognized the indigenous soldiers who fought on behalf of Canada. He also said that the Royal Canadian Legions are great community hubs and places of support for the veterans.

Swann also said that the Poppy funds for veterans, although helpful, is not nearly enough. He said that the government needs to do more to provide veterans with health and dignity.

Druh Farrell, Ward seven councillor, gave a speech and said it is important to bring the memories of the past back to life to ensure that the sacrifices of those who fought are not forgotten.

“In war, there are no unwounded soldiers,” Farrell said.

Fifteen wreathes were laid down during the ceremony shortly after the moment of silence.

Major General Robert Meating was the main guest speaker for the ceremony.

Meating said that, during World War 1, 154,000 people suffered and 61,000 people were killed. He said that they died so that Canadians could grow up in a free, democratic society.

“They gave up their future so that, back in Canada and overseas in the countries they were helping, the futures of their children could be secure,” said Meating. Meating also said that over the course of all the wars in which Canada fought, over 100 thousand Canadians died.

Jim Adams recited “In Flanders Field,” and the audience all sang “God save the Queen,” and “O Canada,” to close the ceremony.

A retired Warrant Officer by the name of Ken Obirek attended the ceremony and had his own opinion on the importance of Remembrance Day.

“So many people gave their lives to keep the world a better place to live,” said Obirek. Obirek said Remembrance Day has a way of uniting all Canadians for that day.

Obirek served in the military for 29 years before retiring to work on CITD computer systems at SAIT. He said he had been a part of the RCAF and had gotten to travel all across the country.

Obirek said it is important for Canadians to never forget the past. He said it should both educate and warn the next generation.

Each year, Obirek and his wife Sheryl attend functions such as the ceremony at the Kensington Legion.

Another man, named James Blake, also shared what Remembrance Day means for himself personally.

“It reminds me of an awful lot of things,” said Blake. Blake, 86, served for both the RCD and the RCEME.

Along with training all across Canada, he spent time in Germany during the Cold War. While there, he and his fellow military were outnumbered ten to one, and knew anything could happen at a moment’s notice.

Blake also spent time on Cypress with the Peacekeepers, trying to keep the Turks and Greeks from fighting.

Blake said that he used to have terrible nightmares about the war, but it has slightly lessened over the years.

However, he said he still thinks about his army friends often, and the sacrifices some of them made.

“I will never forget it,” said Blake.