Kootenay News Advertiser Monday, November 5, 2012
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Lest We Forget A time for all Canadians to remember
PHOT0 SUBMITTED
Gordon Moore, Dominion President of the Royal Canadian Legion. By Gordon Moore reserved to remember those who made the ultiOnce again Remem- mate sacrifice. It should brance Day will soon also be a practical rebe upon us. A time for membrance of the living Canadians of all ages – the disabled Veterans, to remember the more RCMP members, widthan one hundred thou- ows, widowers, orphans sand fellow citizens who and family members of fought, bled and died those who served who protecting our freedoms are in need of a helping along with the countless hand. others who have served Members of the Royal our country. Canadian Legion are, as But Remembrance one of their core responDay should not only be sibilities, the Guardians
of Remembrance. The Poppy Campaign organized by the Legion, in conjunction with Remembrance Day, helps alleviate suffering and addresses the needs of Veterans and their families who may not have the financial wherewithal for basic necessities. The Legion assists with purchasing medical equipment, awarding bursaries for needy students, providing support services such as mealson-wheels and drop-in centres and helping with some basic residential repairs to name but a few. So much of the Legion’s work in our communities goes unnoticed. Every day this organization of more than 330,000 people makes significant contributions, not only to enhance the lives of Veterans, but also for seniors, Cadets, Scouts, Guides, as well as serving members of the Canadian Forces and RCMP and their families. The Legion remains fiercely proud to be
Canada’s largest Veterans services organization. Our advocacy work on behalf of all who have served in the Canadian Forces and RCMP ensures that they receive life-long support and recognition for their service to this country. Thanks to their desire to give back, the Legion was created and continues to this day to support our communities in countless ways. The Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Campaign provides everyone with the opportunity for practical remembrance and it is hoped that this year, with the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Libya as with our aging Second World War and Korean Veterans, more Canadians will wear the Poppy than ever before. There’s more to the Legion than you might think. We Care! Find out today how you can get involved by visiting your local Legion branch…because you care; because you can. Lest We Forget,
Remembering those who served
Sunset Vigil The news is spread far and wide Another comrade has sadly died A sunset vigil upon the sand As a soldier leaves this foreign land We stand alone, and yet as one In the fading light of a setting sun We’ve all gathered to say goodbye To our fallen comrade who’s set to fly The eulogy’s read about their life Sometimes with words from pals or wife We all know when the CO’s done What kind of soldier they’d become The padre then calls us all to pray The bugler has Last Post to play The cannon roars and belches flame We will recall, with pride, their name A minute’s silence stood in place As tears roll down the hardest face deafening silence fills the air With each of us in personal prayer Reveille sounds and the parade is done The hero remembered, forgotten by none They leave to start the journey back In a coffin draped in the Union Jack Sgt Andy McFarlane, 2009.
These pages contain photographs submitted by our readers of their friends and loved ones who have served this country in conflicts since 1901. Veterans of the Boer War, World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict and United Nations peacekeeping missions are all represented here. Some of the photographs are official portraits, others are family snapshots—including more than one wedding photo. All of them carry profound meaning for families, friends and neighbours of these veterans. In light of that, the Kootenay News Advertiser would like to thank our readers for entrusting this newspaper with your precious photographs and memorabilia. This is of particular interest to the readers of a regional journal like ours, which has been part of the East Kootenay for many years. Any errors or omissions are completely unintentional.