INUVIK
Fred Church was busy scouting partners for a dart game at the McInnes Branch 220 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Inuvik when News/North contacted him.

Veteran Fred Church, pictured during a Remembrance Day ceremony in Inuvik in 2013, says he hasn't missed a ceremony in 50 years. - NNSL file photo

He became a member of the local legion, switching over from his previous branch down south, as soon as he arrived in town in January 1970.

"I had just got my release and I was just going around looking for a job and this one popped up in Inuvik," Church said.

"I came up for six months and I've been here for 45 years. The first thing I did was join the legion up here, while I transferred in from the legion down south."

Church was a peacetime soldier with the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps.

"When I first started, before I went to Calgary, I was in the reserve forces in Winnipeg," Church said.

"I started when I was 17 - just old enough to get in."

Before him, Church's older brother joined up and served during the Korean War.

During his five years of service, Church was moved around Canada, from coast to coast to take part in exercises as a crew commander in armoured vehicles.

"The last one I served in was a centurion tank," he said, adding that the exercises ensure that everyone is prepared, should they be called on.

"They're like wartime exercise to make sure everybody's up to par," said Church.

"If something happens, you have to go out there."

Though he wasn't deployed overseas, Church said he knew deployment was always a possibility.

"It comes with the job," Church said.

"People join the forces for it, they know it comes with the risk but that's what we do."

After moving to Inuvik, Church's involvement with the forces continued both with his membership at the legion - he was president for nearly a decade - and as a training officer for the Cadet Corp.

As well, he has been an annual fixture at Remembrance Day ceremonies in town. Church said he used to take part in the annual parade but because of problems with his back and legs he won't be able to this year.

But asked whether he'll be attending the Remembrance Day ceremonies this week in Inuvik, Church's response is definite.

"I haven't missed one for 50 years," he said.

On Nov. 11, Church will take some time alongside fellow Canadians to mark the day that he said has great importance to all of us.

"I think our lives have been changed and shaped by the peace and freedom our veterans provided for the people," Church said.

"I believe we Canadians have so much more to be thankful for today for the service men and women have given us."

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