There was much to contemplate for Squamish's old soldiers and their much younger counterparts during the town's Remembrance Day service on Saturday (Nov.11).
Hundreds of members of the community filled Brennan Park's auditorium to pay respects those who died in World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and more recently, peacekeepers and the 42 Canadian soldier who have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.
The annual parade started with the Black Tusk Caledonia Pipes and Drums Band playing the lament. Also on parade were the Royal Canadian Legion, the Air Cadet Squadron, members of the Scouts and Guides, Forest Wardens, Ambulance and Fire Department members. The Sea to Sky Singers, the Valleycliffe Elementary School Children's Choir and high school students also participated.
Rev. Dr. Daniel Bogart O'Brian gave the call to worship, mentioning that we had gathered from all different faiths to pay tribute to those who had given much to serve their country and the world. He noted theirs was a path to "Find a true Peace, of evil confronted and justice exposed."
Members of the Diamond Head Branch #277 of the Royal Canadian Legion paid tribute to their lost Comrades for their "immortal memory and unselfish service." As the names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Great War and Second World War were read, the Sergeant-at-Arms called "These Comrades do not answer."
Local resident Tony Biggen-Pound, noted that "there is always a good turn out for the Remembrance Day service from Squamish. I have been going to them for 50 years. My father was heavily involved in the war; he was a radio technician working on the radar sets on the East coast of Britain. The information he knew was so sensitive he was never officially demobilized. It is important to remember him and the others that served."
Also in the parade was Canadian Army Cpl Douglas Morgan who has just returned home form a nine-month tour in Afghanistan. Members of the Clergy took part in the service and MLA Joan McIntyre, MLA for West Vancouver - Garibaldi, gave the main address noting the importance that Remembrance Day has for us both individually and collectively.
She related some of her own family's involvement at Vimy Ridge, April 17, 1917, and at Dieppe, August 19, 1942, and noted that it is not only our personal connection to those who have served, but all of us benefit from their efforts. It is important that we remember those who "sacrifice their lives for our freedom. It cannot be measured", she said recalling the 65,000 Canadians who lost their lives between 1914-1918 and the 45,000 who were killed between 1939 and 1945. She also mentioned the key role that women played in the armed forces as well the stress and toll on those who remained at home and served in other ways. "We cannot begin to comprehend the tragedy of it," she said. She said that it is important to "Honour those who served," and encouraged the audience to "continue to tell their stories."
In closing, McIntyre quoted from Heather Robertson's , saying, " We must remember. If we do not, the sacrifice of those one hundred thousand Canadian lives will be meaningless. The meaning of their sacrifice rests with our collective national consciousness; our future is their monument."
Through prayers and blessings, Reverend Mike Stuchbery, reminded us of the "Peace that comes from tolerance and trust." Reverend Dr. Daniel Bogart O'Brian noted that many have served from other traditions and that he hoped his words would be able to encompass everyone. He discussed that "we go from this place in remembrance and hope to recall those left in the pursuit of liberty and justice, and returned from the horrors of war." He also encouraged the audience to remember those that remained to help heal the "spiritual wounds of war."
A special mention was made for Vincent Diotte who had recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan and for the 42 Canadian lives that have been lost there since 2002.
"We need to remember. If we don't remember the past we risk repeating it in the future" said Bruce Proudfoot, Sergeant-at-Arms. Proudfoot had served with the British Royal Engineers in Germany, Canada, the UK and Oman, and noted "Remembrance Day is also important for me to recall my family have served."
