Hundreds of people gathered to honour Canada’s fallen, and those who continue to fight for their country, at Edmonton’s largest Remembrance Day service at the Butterdome on Saturday morning.
Mayor Don Iveson and Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell were in attendance and laid wreaths at the event at the University of Alberta.
Mitchell spoke about the importance of Remembrance Day, saying it warmed her heart to see so many young people in attendance.
“That is totally, absolutely amazing,” she said.
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Mitchell also made mention of several key battles from the First World War, including Vimy Ridge, Hill 70 and Passchendaele. More than 4,000 Canadians were killed and 12,000 were wounded in Passchendaele.
“As time marches on, we need to ensure that we never, ever forget the sacrifices of all Canadians in uniform, whether they fell on the battlefields in the First and Second World War, in Korea or in Afghanistan. We need to remember that every one of our fallen left behind their communities, their families so that they could serve,” Mitchell said.
“One of the best ways that we can honour them is by keeping their stories alive. It’s something that each of us can do.”
Former Petty Officer James Robinson was 17 years old when he signed up to fight in the war. He spent five years during the war on the North Atlantic Ocean. He then joined the Royal Canadian Navy and served for three-and-a-half years.
Robinson said it’s hard to describe what the war was like.
“We were young. We weren’t really aware of the threats,” he said.
“You never even thought about it much. You knew other ships were going down but it was never going to be yours, you know? You were that young and stupid really.”
Robinson, who lost many shipmates during the war, attends the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Butterdome every year.
“It’s a refresh in your mind of the sacrifices a lot of men made and a lot of my sailor friends that I knew… didn’t make it through the war,” he said.
“It’s remembering them and the rest of us that managed to stay alive. We just have to remember and appreciate their efforts.”
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Robinson said it is “satisfying” to see the crowds at the Remembrance Day ceremonies.
“It’s just great to know people care and are still prepared to turn out.”
The Greater Edmonton Calvinist Cadet Corps marched in the ceremony on Saturday.
Member Immanuel Kasap, 13, said his father is in uniform, which made the ceremony even more poignant.
“It’s important because it shows that we appreciate those who are in service and died for us,” he said.
Fellow cadet Justin Walker, 11, said it’s important for young people to remember the events of the past.
“Today is the day that we remember all those valiant soldiers who fought for us in both wars and every single war and died to save our country,” he said.
“I feel like if we don’t take part, then all those soldiers who died would be forgotten and it just wouldn’t be right.”
Canadians paused across the country – and around the world – to reflect on the sacrifices made in past and present conflicts.
READ MORE: Hundreds turn out for Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa
Elsewhere in Edmonton, Remembrance Day services were held at City Hall, Government House and the Shaw Conference Centre, to name a few.
“A full century has passed since the end of the First World War, and we continue to reflect on the courage of those who fought so proudly and bravely. We especially remember the thousands of Albertans who answered the call to serve,” Premier Rachel Notley said in a statement on Saturday.
“Their sacrifice has been repeated through the years, as the women and men in our Armed Forces have spent countless hours away from their loved ones to serve in conflict zones and help people cope with natural disasters and humanitarian crises. We can never repay them all, but we can – and do – remember. And we also pause to thank those who continue to serve this great province and our country.”
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