Remembering heroes of war and peace
Glen Vienneau
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Nov 10/00) - They marched off to challenge the enemies of freedom, and now, soldiers of yesterday and today will be honoured in a march of peace and remembrance.
Royal Canadian Legion District 7 commissioner Richard MacDonald will be among those taking part in tomorrow's Remembrance Day parade.
"It reminds you of what's going on today," said MacDonald of the parade and ceremony that follows. "But it is still an active remembrance for those who have gone on before us."
The parade sets out from the Royal Canadian Legion at 10:05 a.m. Saturday. Marchers include a colour party (flag carriers), RCMP, military band, Scouts and Guides, Rangers and Junior Rangers and armed forced personnel.
They far outnumber the three or four living veterans who remain in Yellowknife. It is left up to current generations to remember the sacrifices made by the men and women who served during the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War.
"It actually puts things in perspective, why we are here, what sacrifices these people have made before us," said parade sergeant at arms Perry Campbell, who believes it's also an opportunity to pay tribute to today's soldiers, who fill a much different role, as peacekeepers.
"You look at people that are there to represent you in the time of need if ever called upon," said Campbell, who served in the armed forces for 13 years.
He was among those called to action in 1994, being sent to Yugoslavia on a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Yugoslavia.
Legion president Glen Clouston has a personal link to Remembrance day. Marching in the parade reminds him of his father and the highest standards of honesty, loyalty and truth he embodied.
"In this world, there's not that much of it any more, it doesn't seem to be," said Clouston. "It's not the parade itself you think of, it's friends, family that are no longer there.
"You have to tell the kids what happened and why it happened. It has to be taught in school, we have to get back doing that."
The parade will march to the Cenotaph by City Hall where a brief ceremony will be held. They will then march to St. Patrick high school for Remembrance Day Services. Public must be seated by 10:30 a.m.
For Clouston, taking part in the service once a year remains an important tribute. "The 10 minutes that we contribute during Remembrance Day is really nothing compared to what others have done."
