‘One of the lucky ones:’ Veteran reflects on Remembrance Day

Hundreds circled the Cenotaph in Victoria Park to pay their respects at Regina’s outdoor Remembrance Day ceremony Saturday morning.

Leading the colour party for the 21st time at the service was retired Master Corporal Richard Monaghan, who served as a peacekeeper in Cypress and Germany almost 40 years ago.

March on colours and parade opens #YQR’s outdoor #RemembranceDay ceremony at the Victoria Park Cenotaph. pic.twitter.com/XSVIenXZsl

— Jessie Anton (@jessieanton_) November 11, 2017

The 65-year-old veteran said the best part was seeing more younger faces in the crowd.

“Younger generations are starting to understand what the military means and the people who sacrificed their lives so we can maintain this way of life,” he said, adding he eyed a larger turnout Saturday morning than in years past.

At 11 a.m., while stationed at his post in the frosty air next to the Cenotaph, Monaghan said he reflected on his time in the military. Specifically, how he joined as a bright-eyed 17-year-old and the time both he and his family served overseas.

“I remember due to my father, who was wounded in Holland, and I also had two uncles who died over there,” he said. “I was one of the lucky ones. I never actually had to pull a gun on anybody.”

This Remembrance Day, Monaghan said he hopes everyone takes a moment to contemplate the importance of Canada’s military and what the nation does to commemorate it.