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RANKIN INLET
Hundreds of people paid their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom during the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik gym in Rankin Inlet this past week.

Warrant Officer Cassandra Gordon leads her fellow cadets in remembering those who died for freedom, during Remembrance Day services in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

For Rankin resident Darrin Nichol, this was one of the few years he wasn't directly involved with the ceremony during the past decade.

Nichol, a longtime Royal Canadian Legion member, said Remembrance Day remains critically important because Canadians value their freedom and the great country they have the honour to live in.

He said people must never forget the fact freedom comes with a price.

"The price has been high for the quality of life we enjoy - whether you're talking the First World War, Second World War, Korea, Afghanistan or Libya - for those who have gone before us," said Nichol.

"That can even move to encompass things like our search-and-rescue groups, of which we just recently lost a man in Iglulik (Sgt. Janick Gilbert) when he tragically died trying to save one of our residents.

"So, to me, it's the respect factor and the acknowledgement of the significant price paid by others for what we enjoy in Nunavut and across the country.

"That can never be forgotten."

Nichol said the turnout for the Remembrance Day ceremony in Rankin Inlet has always been very impressive.

He said no matter where you travel in Canada you'll always find a connection to someone who sacrificed their life in the name of freedom, and the Kivalliq is no exception.

"My wife's (Pelagie) grandfather was a Caucasian by the name of Bill (Titiraqt) Green who lived in Arviat in the 1940s.

"He had two daughters there, my wife's mother, Emily (Green) Angalik, and Irene (Green) Kablutsiak.

"He actually died in the Second World War after leaving the Arctic to enlist in the air force - as a tail gunner, I believe - and was killed in action on Dec. 3, 1943, and is buried in an Allied forces war cemetery in Spandau, Germany.

"So here was this Nunavut guy - NWT guy back then, I suppose - who gave his life for freedom, and every year Emily is called up to lay a wreath in Bill Green's honour during the Remembrance Day ceremony in Arviat."

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