On November 11, 1918, at the 11th hour, on the 11th day and the 11th month - the guns of the First World War fell silent after millions of people lost their lives to the tyranny of total war.
The countries of the world of that time, including Canada, vowed that the atrocities of total war would not be felt again, however, 21 years later the Second World War would see the deaths of millions of more men and women.
Since that time, Canada has been involved in armed conflicts throughout the world including the Korean War, in Afghanistan and the many UN peacekeeping missions that Canadians have spearheaded throughout the world.
Canadians has always answered the call to help protect the liberties and freedoms we all enjoy today and thousands have paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our peace and prosperity. Therefore, it is so vital that Canadians continue to remember and honour our veterans.
On November 11, 2016 – 98 years after the end of the First World War – the Eckville Legion will be honouring our veterans at the Community Centre beginning at 10:45 a.m. Members of all levels of government will be present to lay wreaths in honour of our fallen heroes.
Mayor Helen Posti will be laying a wreath on behalf of Town Council and the Town of Eckville.
“It’s important to remember the people who have given us the freedom we enjoy,” she said. “We have to keep remembering and we need to make sure we Remember not just the First World War, The Second World War and the Korean War, but all the war since then.”
Posti, whose grandfather was in the First World War, believes it is the duty of everyone to ensure that younger generations know and remember the sacrifices that other Canadians have made for their freedom.
“If we want our rights and freedoms protected to keep remembering,” she said.” I think it is very important We are like lots of other communities where we have young people growing up and they need to know what has happened, what is happening now and what will happen in the future. I think it is very important because it shows that respect that we need to continually have.”
The ceremony will begin at 10:45 p.m. with an honour guard present at the Community Centre, including members of the local RCMP detachment.
Posti stressed the importance of everyone attending a ceremony to support and remember our veterans.
“I think everybody needs to get out and remember,” she said.
reporter@eckvilleecho.com