As president of the Whitehorse Legion, I would like to convey our deepest appreciation to all Yukoners who participated in the Remembrance Day activities held in various communities and schools around the Yukon.
Mark Prins wrote a great article in Friday’s Whitehorse Star, mentioning various aspect of the ceremony held at the Canada Games Centre in Whitehorse. Thank you, Mark, well done.
But I do have to correct a couple of points; the number 133 refers to the number of poppies attached to the Yellow Ribbon on the Cenotaph, signifying the number of Canadians Forces members we have lost so far in Afghanistan.
The number of wreaths laid at the ceremony was actually 89. Which is five more than last year and, indeed, a record.
Stewart Jamieson was also commenting about school ceremonies being held prior to the 11th.
The reason is to allow the students and teachers to attend the largest ceremony, being at the Canada Games Centre.
Many students are members of the Scouts and Girl Guides movements, as well as members of the Cadets organization. All of which had an important part to play at the Remembrance Day ceremony.
A thank you ad will be in the newspapers soon, but I would like to mention the crucial assistance of Whitehorse, the Canada Games Centre staff, the bylaw department, Whitehorse Transit and the Whitehorse fire department. Without their assistance it would be simply impossible to hold such an important event.
On parade, we had members of the RCMP, army and air cadets, veterans, legionnaires, Joint Task Force North, regional cadet support unit and Whitehorse ranger patrol. Members of the Colour Party consisted of veterans, legionnaires, members of JTFN, RCSU and WFD. The cenotaph guard consisted of local army and air cadets who, the night before, along with other cadets, held an overnight vigil at Veterans’ Square. A special thank you to them.
Let us remember that freedom is not free, never has been and never will be.
It took many veterans to bring us the peace and freedom that we now enjoy, their sacrifices shall never be forgotten.
Today we have Canadian Forces members serving in half a dozen countries around the world, at the request of the host nations, under our obligations as a member of the UN as well as a member of NATO, in assisting those host nations in bringing peace and freedom to their countries.
Let’s remember that, and say thank you to our Canadian Forces members.
Comrade Red Grossinger
president
Whitehorse Legion