Hundreds gathered in RR to remember

Ken Johnston
Editor

A full house of people remembered them last Thursday at Rainy River’s Remembrance Day ceremonies.
About 200 people packed the Legion hall for the annual salute to those who served the free world in WW I, WWII, Korea and peacekeeping duties since.
The service began at 10:45 a.m. with the marching on of the colours and the national anthem. Darlene Smith of the Good News Fellowship church, gave the invocation. She noted the words of O Canada saying, “We stand on guard with our prayer. Bless those who lost love ones and who have served this great nation.”
The United Church choir followed her with the hymn, “God! As with Silent Hearts.” Its lyrics said, “We bring to mind how hate and war diminish humankind... hallow our will as humbly we recall the lives of those who gave and give their all.” In a hymn later in the service everyone sang “Let There Be Peace On Earth,” which said “Take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.”
Mayor Glen Armstrong had the emotionally stirring task of reading the Honour Roll, filled with names of loved ones lost during the wars. That was followed by two minutes of silence.
Armstrong later put on his Anglican Church cap and delivered some readings from the Holy Bible. He read from Psalms first. That reading encouraged people to seek refuge in God who will break the bow and shatter the spear. He also read from the book of John which said there is no greater love than laying down one’s life for another.
Meditation was lead by Knox United Church Minister Pat White. She used a unique approach, asking members of her congregation to read passages from literate works from the past. Marilyn McAlister, Anne Mailloux, Joan Hall, Ron McAlister, Dorothy Markuson and Larry Armstrong each read a piece. Larry Armstrong read a piece that reflected on the sending off a son to war. It noted that the son was a gentle man and had never had a gun in his hand before the war. Marilyn McAlister read from The Diary of Anne Frank, noting that Anne believed that people are truly good at heart. All readings ended with these words, “God make me an instrument of your peace.”
Evangelical Church Minister Gord Armstrong delivered a prayer for peace. In it he thanked those who gave the supreme sacrifice and asked for “comfort for those who lost loved ones in battle.” He also prayed for peacekeepers now serving their country around the world. He prayed for peace in the tumultuous regions of the world; like Iraq. “Please end the senseless terrors.”
After the service all went outside where about 200 students from local schools were already assembled around the cenotaph. The colour party lead a parade of veterans to the cenotaph and then the local sea cadets marched to the cenotaph where they stood guard while 62 wreaths were laid there.
After the wreaths were laid Dr. Dave Singleton played the last post on his trumpet and the flag at the cenotaph was lowered to half mast.