In their honour

By Ken Johnston

Editor

It was fitting at this time of war that so many people came out to participate in Remembrance Day ceremonies in Rainy River Sunday.

About 200 people packed the legion hall and at 10:45 a.m. the service began. The colours were marched in and followed by the singing of O’ Canada.

The Rev. Darlene Smith gave the invocation, thanking all Canadian soldiers, past and present for taking up positions around the world to protect us and our freedoms. She asked that God protect those soldiers as he is the supreme protector of all.

Mayor Debbie Ewald then had the solemn task of reading the honour roll, which has all the names of local soldiers lost in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. That was followed by two minutes of silence so the crowd could reflect on the ultimate sacrifice those men made so we could have the freedoms we have today.

Everyone in the hall then joined in the singing of Amazing Grace.

Rev. Barb Miller then read from the scriptures from Psalm 32 and 43 in which King David asks where God was in his times of trouble and how he found his way back to God’s house for strength.

This message was further talked about when Pastor Gord Armstrong gave the meditation noting that people often wonder where God is in their times of trouble. Armstrong spoke of a veteran he once worked with years ago and how that veteran told him that almost every moment he prayed to God for strength. “We can’t help but call on God in times of trouble,” said Armstrong and encouraged all present to do that whenever troubled and to pray for the soldiers overseas in Afghanistan.

Armstrong also spoke of memories, good and bad and how important history is. “How else will we remember the realities of war except through our veterans. Victory (and today’s freedoms) did not come cheap.”

George Chojko-Bolec then delivered a prayer for peace asking that God bring the overwhelming desire by us all to extend hands of friendship to all as we are all connected as children of God.

After the benediction the colour party lead a parade of veterans out to the cenotaph where 67 wreaths were laid. The last post was played by Dr. Dave Singleton on his trumpet. During which Legion Sgt. at Arms Terry Cooper lowered the cenotaph flag to half mast and Legion President Gerry Marchuk gave the official salute to those who gave all. In the middle of the Last Post there was a very solemn moment of silence. Four local Sea Cadets stood on silent guard at each corner of the cenotaph square, the flag flew at half staff, the salute was frozen, and the crowd lowered their heads. It was so quiet it was deafening. As the second half of the Last Post was played the flag was raised and salute completed.

After the benediction by Rev. Miller all were invited into the legion for a lunch.