Second half of the ceremony at the Redcliff Cenotaph 

By Aidan Boelsgaard

Large turnout for Remembrance Day Ceremony in Redcliff

Nov 11, 2022 | 1:39 PM

REDCLIFF, AB – The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #6 in Redcliff saw strong numbers for their Remembrance Day Ceremony Friday morning.

It began with both Veterans, and currently serving members of the military marching from the Legion to the gym at Parkside School.

The ceremony in the gym was lead by Reverend David Carter, with World War Two Veteran George Hope assisting with parts of the program.

It’s estimated there were more than 200 people in attendance at the gym, with only standing room being available in the back.

Other than the words from Carter and Hope there were performances from the Margaret Wooding Choir, Eileen Wotschell and Ron Mason.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

22h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

Following the indoor part of the ceremony there was another march. This time to the Redcliff Cenotaph that has the names of fallen soldiers from the area that served in the first, and second World War.

The crowd remained in large numbers to watch the placing of the wreaths around the Cenotaph. Following the completion of the ceremony many members of the crowd would proceed to the Legion to gather for refreshments.

Sergeant Lee Sanders is a Veteran of the British Forces, and now a serving member of the Canadian Forces.

Sanders began to get emotional when saying “As usual the ceremony was a great day, and it was attended well by the community. Remembrance Day means different things to different people, but for myself it’s a time for me to reflect on the people I have lost, and that I have served with over many years.”

He wanted to highlight that remembering the people who have made the ultimate sacrifice should not only be saved for Nov. 11, but is something that should be kept in mind everyday.

Michelle Pinder was a member of audience at the ceremony, and she says “It was very nice, and it’s very nice to see the young people coming out to the Veterans day.”

Speaking to what the day means to her Pinder says “I just feel so sorry for those who had to go to war. It’s just so nice they did this for the country, and for us. The least we can do is come out for Remembrance Day for them.”

Redcliff Legion Executive, Terry Tuff says coming out of Covid it is great to see the large turnout for the day.

“It’s great to see the youngsters out to remember, it’s gotta be passed on from generation to generation for all the veterans and all the fallen” he says.

When asked about what the day means to him specifically Tuff says “It’s remembering the people that have served, and people that have layed down their lives for us to have the freedoms we have today.”

There was a separate ceremony held in Friday morning in Medicine Hat. That taking place at the Cenotaph in Riverside Veterans Memorial Park.