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Watching the men and women in uniform march across the Brandt Centre’s floor at Regina’s indoor Remembrance Day service Monday morning brought tears to Michelle Stark’s eyes.
It makes her think of her grandfather and uncle who fought in the Second World War. They were two of roughly 21,000 Canadian troops who stormed Juno Beach in June of 1944. And while Stark’s grandfather made it back on Canadian soil, she said her uncle never did make it home.
“We think it’s so important — especially in today’s climate — to ensure that we give honour and thanks to the people who have fought and continue to fight for just humanity,” she explained through tears.
Stark noted she brought her daughters to the ceremony to help “keep that legacy alive” and to give them a sense of the sacrifice.
“To the young veterans who are still doing so much, (attending a Remembrance Day service) is our part to show our kids that we have to take care of (veterans) and ensure they’re OK,” she said.
Leona, Stark’s daughter, added that being at the ceremony filled her heart with joy.
“It makes me happy,” the seven-year-old said. “I’m glad that our family members fought for our freedom.”
March on colours and parade starts the “act of remembrance” portion of the indoor #RemembranceDay service at Brandt Centre in #YQR. #LestWeForget #CanadaRemembers pic.twitter.com/gDZ405Kll4
— Jessie Anton (@jessieanton_) November 11, 2019
For Scott Gelowitz, coming to a Remembrance Day service is a “family tradition” in his household.
His wife’s grandfather served in the Second World War and was a part of the legion’s colour party for years before the veteran passed away nearly two decades ago.
As Gelowitz looked on at the ceremony from the stands, he said he saw the “devotion of the people who have served and all they gave up so we could have our freedoms.”
Meanwhile, his daughter, Rachel, said she was more focused on the crowd of roughly 3,000.
“With all the people who have died during their service, I’m happy that people came to honour them today,” the 13-year-old said, noting many of those in the stands are young people, like herself.
“I think it’s important (young people) learn what has happened and they can honour it, so when they’re older and have kids, they can bring them here and pass it on.”
For Harvey Ross — who served in the Royal Canadian Navy towards the end of the Second World War and later became the lieutenant colonel of the Saskatchewan Dragoons, the reserve unit in Moose Jaw — it was nice to see about three-quarters of the Brandt Centre’s seats filled with people paying their respects.
“It’s good,” the 92-year-old veteran said with a smile. “It’s more appreciation for the service that has been done.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this story stated Harvey Ross was a colonel in the Second World War. It’s since been corrected to show that he was the lieutenant colonel of the Saskatchewan Dragoons.
