It was a sombre day at the Estevan Comprehensive School, as it was the site of the yearly Remembrance Day service. Community members filled the stands and the seats inside the gym to remember the men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
"It's a day to reflect -- to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, so we have the freedom to do this thanks to them and it's important we never forget that," shared Estevan Legion President Frosty Forrest.
The ceremony was regal and quiet, with every patron showing up with a poppy on their heart. It featured the reading of 'In Flanders Field' by John McCrae, the playing of The Last Post, and a two-minute silence to commemorate those who died in wars Canadian soldiers participated in. Forrest read out a list of the soldiers from around the southeast who died during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Afghanistan War.
"You always like to see every seat filled up, but it was a nice crowd. We're extremely grateful to those people that came out and participated and, you know, the people that came to lay wreaths and honour our veterans that way."
Captain Craig Bird prepared a presentation about his trip to France to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day earlier in June.
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Forrest noted that while every Remembrance Day ceremony is important, this year's was a little more emotional for him. "This year, with the presentation on D-Day and with my father being a D-day veteran, I found it a little emotional. You know, I've read a lot about what they went through and so on. I'm very proud of my father and all the people serving [with] him. You know, the anniversary of D-Day -- it's important that we remember that and we understand what took place there."
Alongside members of the No. 30 Wylie-Mitchell Air Cadets Squadron and the No. 2901 Estevan Army Cadets Corps, dignitaries laid wreaths in front of the cenotaph. Among the attendees were Mayor Roy Ludwig, Estevan-Big Muddy MLA Lori Carr, members of the RCMP and Estevan Police Service, and World War II veteran Jim Spenst.
"It's just so good to see [Spenst] out. You know, the trip to France that he did, I think was kind of the highlight of his later life. It's probably more enjoyable than the first time you went to France," Forrest joked.
"It's an honour to know the man. That's how I would put it. It's an honour for me to know him and call him a friend."
Following the service, members of the community were invited to a free lunch at the Estevan Legion Hall.
2024 marks the 106th anniversary of Armistice Day, which ended World War I. It's also the 80th anniversary of D-Day, where Canadian soldiers and other Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, liberating Europe from Nazi Germany.