‘Lest we forget’: Military grave markers dedicated at Medicine Hat’s Hillside Cemetary

The resting spot sat for over 100 years without any marking of his military service, until replaced with a permanent military marker.

A military grave marker for Lt Harry Dobbin who passed away in 1919 was honoured Wednesday morning. Kevin Kyle/CHAT News

Glenn Miller, president of the Alberta-Northwest Territories branch of the Last Post Fund says they continue to honour these fallen veterans because of three simple words.

“Lest we forget, and so, that always motivates all of our team to be able to do that,” Miller said.

“It’s rewarding for 100 years because likely there’s no family around. Who advocates for a veteran that has no voice,” he added.

“That’s what we try to do through our Lost Veterans Initiative is to end up with that stone, so their voice is always read when someone walks by that stone.”

Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright, is the military liason for the provincial government.

He participated in the ceremony and placed an Alberta flag at the grave of veteran William Smith.

Smith was also an Alberta MLA for Redcliff and Empress between 1921 and 1935.

Wright says taking part in Remembrance Day ceremonies and connecting with veterans has an impact, but this shows what that sacrifice entails.

“When you see the legacy of impact that comes down from the remembrance of that as well, I think that that’s truly meaningful and really moving,” Wright said.

“To see people, in some cases, a hundred years later, being remembered, being honoured and recognized for their community impact, but also the fact that they fought for our freedoms and our rights,”.

“It’s really moving to really understand that long-term piece.”

Miller said anyone who died in service of Canada at war has their name recorded in a memorial chamber at the base of the Peace Tower in the Canadian Parliament Building in Ottawa, but not those who survived war.

These stone will allow them to now record veterans who served in the military and lived after service.

“But if you think about, for example, World War II, that’s four years of perhaps someone’s life when he [then] died at 89 years old. That is important chapter,” Miller said.

Often in obituaries, you will find a Canadian flag or allegiance symbol as part of that obituary versus the Rotary Club or the Masons, and that just shows Canadians value of military service.”

Veterans Affairs Canada will take over the long term care of theses markers for future generations.

The 14 military grave markers at Hillside Cemetary will now be a permanent reminder, that these member served the country.

by Jesse Gill

‘Lest we forget’: Military grave markers dedicated at Medicine Hat’s Hillside Cemetary

Our Community