Veterans and residents gathered at the Anniversary Park cenotaph on Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Chestermere’s annual Remembrance Day ceremony. At about 11 a.m., those gathered observed two minutes of silence to remember Canadians who died in service. The ceremony also recognized veterans and those serving today.
Deputy Mayor Robert Schindler was the emcee. Mayor Shannon Dean and Chestermere-Strathmore MLA Chantelle de Jonge spoke, along with Bow River MP David Bexte. The city’s program called for the playing of the Last Post before the silence, followed by a piper’s lament and the Rouse. Wreath presentations were also part of the program.
In his remarks, Bexte recalled the South Alberta Regiment’s role in the final stages of the Battle of Normandy.
The cenotaph where Chestermere gathered was dedicated in November 2015 by then-lieutenant-governor Lois Mitchell. Designed by retired RCMP officer Richard Hessler, it depicts Canadians who served in wars and peacekeeping operations. The memorial also displays emblems representing the RCMP, the fire department and emergency medical services.
The city encouraged residents to wear a red poppy to the ceremony. The Great War Veterans’ Association, a forerunner of the Royal Canadian Legion, adopted the poppy as a symbol of remembrance in 1921. Today, Legion branches hold money raised through the annual Poppy Campaign in trust to help veterans and their families. The funds can help cover essentials such as groceries, heating and emergency shelter.
Bexte thanked Legion branches for their work and spoke about supporting veterans and their families throughout the year. In Chestermere, the ceremony included a collection for the Veterans Food Bank. The city also set out donation boxes at City Hall, the fire hall and the Chestermere Recreation Centre during the Remembrance Day period.
The ceremony came during Veterans’ Week, which ran from Nov. 5 to 11. Chestermere council received proclamations recognizing both Veterans’ Week and Remembrance Day at its meetings earlier in the month.