Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 05/99) - Lieut. Mike Wingfield believes Remembrance Day's message needs to be stronger.

Lieut. Wingfield points to when he lived in B.C. and on one recent Nov. 11 he and other cadets were heading out to take part in a Remembrance Day parade.

"It was around 10 a.m., and we were all getting ready to get on the bus for the parade. Right next to us was a huge soccer tournament. The stands were full of people," Lieut. Wingfield, age 24, said.

For him, and his fellow cadets, it was a disheartening sign of where some people's priorities lie.

"The fact that it was even scheduled," he said.

"It seemed like cadets and the legion were the only people who remembered."

On Saturday, Lieut. Wingfield, who moved to Yellowknife in June, was among local army and air cadets taking part in the annual poppy drive. The legion's drive, which raises money for veterans and other causes, continues this coming Saturday. As well as the poppy drive, the cadets will stand watch at the cenotaph at City Hall. The watch will start Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. and continue through the night in preparation for the Remembrance Day parade and ceremony.

Danny Clouston, deputy commanding officer for Army Cadet Corps 2837 said, with the cadets participation, there is also an effort to provide them with information about what Remembrance Day is all about. Cadets range in age from 12 to 18.

"One of the exercises is an essay, assigned to the cadets last Wednesday, on Remembrance Day and what it means," he said.

"All the cadets will read their essays to the other cadets."

Scott Waddell, a civilian instructor and former cadet, suggested it is important for everyone to learn about what Nov. 11 means.

"Many youth look at it as just a day off school," he said.

He adds "there's lots of people who don't like to remember. It's too painful." To think of those who lived, felt dawn, and saw sunset glow, loved, and were loved, and now lie In Flanders Fields.