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Photos: Remembrance Day honoured in Sylvan Lake

Sylvan Lake and Royal Canadian Legion honoured past and present veterans at two services, Nov. 11
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The NexSource Centre was full as many people came out to honour veterans who have served Canada in past and present conflicts.

The service, which was just over an hour long, was presided over by Chaplain Rev. Jin Woo Kim, who spoke about all major conflicts Canada has been apart of since World War 1.

“I am especially grateful to Canada for their role in aiding my country in the 1950s,” Woo said, speaking of the Korean War, which was fought from June, 1950 to July, 1953.

Two students from H.J. Cody, Starla Fifield and Brynne Takhar, read their winning submission for the 2016 Literary Contest.

Many groups, organizations, businesses, dignitaries and family members placed a wreath at the cenotaph, with the 41 Signal Regiment, 2 Squadron from Red Deer who standing in vigil.

Roughly 74 wreaths were sold by the Legion before the ceremony to be laid at the cenotaph during the ceremony.

“It was a great service and an excellent turnout,” said Ed Stevenson, president of the Legion Branch 212. He added there was around 1,200 people in attendance at the morning service.

Stevenson went on to say he was “very pleased” with the ceremony and with all those who participated by doing a reading, singing in the choir, or laying the wreath.

Later in the afternoon, a small service was held at the cenotaph in Memorial Park. There a small group of locals waited for the Colour Party and dignitaries.

After a moment of silence, four wreaths were lain at the cenotaph, for Canada, Alberta, the Town of Sylvan Lake and the Royal Canadian Legion.

This service was small and short, but the quiet was poignant as Mayor Sean McIntyre and Ed Stevenson, president of the Legion Branch 212, laid the four wreaths in remembrance.

Stevenson the smaller outdoor ceremony “just exploded” this year, this the most in attendance and participating.

“It was just great. The Colour Party marched down and were joined by service members which we hadn’t really planned for,” said Stevenson.

In between the two services the Legion also hosted a lunch for any who wished to attend. The Legion was packed with members and guests over lunch.

It was the most well received Remembrance lunch the Legion has served in recent years, according to Stevenson.

Even the dance afterwards was well attended. Around 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 11, when the dance was set to wrap up there was still around 80 guests in the hall.

“They wanted the band to keep going but they had booked another gig in Red Deer and had to leave,” Stevenson explained.

Overall, Stevenson said he was happy with the day and all those who participated and helped to make it run as smoothly as possible.



megan.roth@sylvanlakenews.com

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