Medicine Hat veteran encourages residents to take part in Remembrance Day services

He said the day is an opportunity to gather with fellow veterans and remember those who are no longer there.

Schall said he has great respect for families and community members who take the time to lay wreaths in memory of loved ones who served.

“I have nothing but time, respect and gratitude for those people,” Schall said.

Schall recognizes the day can also be difficult for some veterans, who may choose to avoid ceremonies because of the memories they bring back.

However, he encourages people to remember in whichever way is meaningful to them.

“I look at that, and I say, good on you,” Schall said.

“It works if somebody is remembering whether it’s somebody that’s fallen for themselves that’s related to them or somebody that’s not necessarily known,” Schall said.

He also hopes younger generations will feel comfortable approaching veterans with questions about their experiences, saying those conversations can help build a better understanding of military service.

“I’m always excited about question-and-answer period when it comes to schools because it shows what those people are interested in; it shows what those people are curious about as part of service,” Schall said.

Schall says even questions about a veteran’s medals can lead to meaningful conversations and a greater appreciation of more recent military history.

“It’s a little bit of a healing for me because you can explain where you’ve been and what you’ve done,” he said.

Medicine Hat’s Remembrance Day observances begin with a service at the Esplanade at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

A parade featuring veterans, local military groups, cadets and other organizations is scheduled to leave the Esplanade at approximately 10:45 a.m., travelling down Second Street to Veterans Memorial Park for the annual cenotaph service and wreath-laying.

The service at the cenotaph is expected to last about 20 to 25 minutes before attendees gather at the Royal Canadian Legion.

Schall said he hopes as many people as possible will attend this year.

“When you’re involved with the movements and a group of people that’s that large and they all go together for that purpose, it’s so powerful you can feel the remembrance; you can feel a palpitation in the crowd; you can feel it,” Schall said.

by Jett Schwaier

Medicine Hat veteran encourages residents to take part in Remembrance Day services

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