On Friday, Nov. 11, Legion branches across the Lakeland organized Remembrance Day ceremonies to honour those who lost their lives while defending Canada and protecting freedom.

“We are remembering those who did not come home. We remember so they will not be forgotten and simply become ghosts haunting old battlefields, yellowing pictures in a trunk, names inscribed on a cenotaph,” a speaker said at the Cold Lake ceremony. 

“In every community in the country stands a cenotaphs inscribed with the names of the fallen. Tens of thousands of names, some with no known grave. But many of us know or have family members who did not come home from Europe or Afghanistan. We remember them, their promise and potential cut short.”  

In Cold Lake, over a thousand residents, current and former military, 4 Wing personnel, officers, and local dignitaries, took part at the ceremony at the Cold Lake Energy Centre.

After two years of stripped down services, visitors came in droves to watch the 4 Wing march, observe two minutes of silence at 11:00am, listen to speeches from the 4 Wing base commander Col. Dave Turenne, the reading of In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, and the singing of God Save the King.

Many laid wreaths graced with poppies near a cenotaph brought to the arena for the occasion, which was guarded by armed officers.

In Bonnyville, the ceremony remained outside for the third consecutive year at the Bonnyville Legion under brisk temperatures.

Dignitaries also laid wreaths after observing the 11:00am silence.

“It’s great to see the men and women in uniform. We are very proud of our armed forces here in Cold Lake,” said Mayor Craig Copeland. “It’s a really good ceremony. The Legion and the other people involved in the ceremony do a great job.”

4 Wing & Cold Lake Legion ceremony

Bonnyville Legion ceremony 

School ceremonies

St. Dominic Elementary

Holy Cross Elementary

Notre Dame Elementary

Dr. Bernard Brosseau School.

Assumption Jr./Sr. High School.

Images provided by Lakeland Catholic School Division.