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(Photo: Abby Zieverink: EverythingGP, staff)
By Abby Zieverink
100th year of poppy

Remembrance Day ceremonies in Grande Prairie honour veterans

Nov 11, 2021 | 1:47 PM

The Royal Canadian Legion’s annual Remembrance Day ceremony was held at the downtown arena in Grande Prairie.

People of all ages gathered with veterans both young and old, commemorating those who served and sacrificed their lives for our country.

The ceremony looked closer to normal this year with an in-person event, which was set to honour Canadian veterans.

(Photo: Abby Zieverink: EverythingGP, staff)

Pre-pandemic, a wreath-laying ceremony would take place. However this year, wreaths were pre-laid at the front of the arena.

The ceremony included the playing of the Last Post, followed by two minutes of silence on the eleventh month of the eleventh day and the eleventh hour.

(Photo: Abby Zieverink: EverythingGP, staff)

Mayor Jackie Clayton said the moment of silence is important to remember those who have served Canada in the past, and those who serve us currently.

“It’s really important to observe this moment of silence and recognize those around us who continually still serve this country,” she said.

“But, it also gives people a moment and an opportunity to be thankful for the service that has been provided by the many people before us.”

(Photo: Abby Zieverink EverythingGP, staff)

Reverend George Malcolm, who is the Padre for the Legion in Grande Prairie, explains the importance of honouring past and present veterans serving the country.

“It’s remembering those from the past, but it’s remembering the future, the present too, because we have veterans here, young and old alike sitting with us. And it’s important to remember them as well, not just something that happened a long time ago, but what’s presently going on,” he said.

“If we don’t look at what happened in the past, and we don’t try to make a better world, then the world becomes more chaotic, and this is an opportunity for people to really take time out a few minutes of their life, to reflect on what people have done for them and what they, in turn, can do for people going forward.”

(Photo: Abby Zieverink: EverythingGP, staff)

The poem In Flanders Fields was read by Legion President in Grande Prairie Larry Wood, as 2021 marked 100 years of the poppy used as a symbol of remembrance in Canada and in Britain.

“The Canadian Commonwealth of war veterans approved it and the Legion has the successor to that I’ve carried it on so, it’s 100 years this year for the poppy,” said Reverend Malcolm.

(Photo: Abby Zieverink: EverythingGP, staff)

An outdoor ceremony also took place at the Cenotaph in Jubilee Park, put on by the Army and Navy Air Force Veterans.

by Abby Zieverink