The High Prairie RCMP was out in full force to take part in the parade after the service. Behind them are High Prairie Fire Department members. Other organizations and citizens also marched in the parade.

Chris Clegg
South Peace News
A soldier’s greatest fear is that no one will remember.

It is certainly not the case in High Prairie as the Legion Hall was packed Nov. 11 for the annual Remembrance Day ceremony.

Dignitaries and local church leaders praised the efforts of past and current service members during the hour long ceremony.

High Prairie Royal Canadian Legion president Don Ebbett led the service. As is his custom, he read the names of the fallen soldiers in the two Great Wars, plus those who passed away the last year.

He alluded to the Battle of the Somme in 1916, and reminded people to remember the 66,000 Canadians buried in Flanders Fields.

“A soldier’s greatest fear is being forgotten,” said Ebbett.

But he added with attendance at the service, plus the efforts made by local schools in the district, it is apparent High Prairie will not be those who forget.

High Prairie RCMP Cpl. Adam Best brought greetings from the federal government. He said Canadians always came to the forefront “when the cause is just and good” and that the service rendered by our nation “helped forage our nation’s identity.”

Lesser Slave Lake MLA Danielle Larivee was next to speak.

“We remember the sacrifices today and we remember,” she said, adding that Canadians must honour the freedoms fought so hard for.
“Thanks to all those who served…we must never forget them.”

Town of High Prairie Mayor Linda Cox also spoke of the early battles, including the Battle of the Somme, as Ebbett did earlier. She said it was often that the Canadians fought the “most horrific battles” during wars. She spoke of the national pride and identity foraged during those battles.

“So I stand here today to thank our veterans…our thoughts are with them all year long.”

Big Lakes County Reeve Ken Matthews also extended thanks for “the freedoms we enjoy is the result of that.”

He added the losses to each family will never be forgotten, and he had a message to the young: to realize other youth around the world have never known or enjoyed peace.

High Prairie Christian Centre Pastor Duffin, who also serves as Legion Chaplain, conducted the service.

“All gifts come from God,” he said, extending thanks for the peace and prosperity enjoyed today.

Several other church leaders participated in the service and read Scripture. Brooke Buchan read her award winning Remembrance Day poem and F/Cpl. Sheldon Anderson read In Flanders Fields before wreaths were laid. A parade was held and lunch to end the day.
Memories of the first Two Minutes of Silence
High Prairie Bethel Baptist Pastor Keith Williams read a news report from the Manchester Guardian recalling the first Two Minutes of Silence.
Following is a portion of that report:

Yesterday’s silence was but the more impressive because it came in the presence of every conceivable possibility of commotion. The peace came out of tumult, and passed swiftly into tumult again.

The main streets were filled with people as 11 o’clock drew near. Many had come especially to be present on a unique occasion. It was remarkable with what quickness all noise was hushed when the dull explosion of the first maroon was heard. Horses were pulled up, tramcars stopped still where they stood, carts and motor-cars and pedestrians were as if suddenly fixed to the ground.

With instinctive accord, all the men standing along the thickly-lined streets bared their heads. The faintest noises now took on the portentousness of the little noises that fill a church.

Here and there were persons crying quietly, women furtively drying their eyes.

One began to ponder whether a more wonderful idea than this had ever entered man’s head.

High Prairie Air Cadets presented the colours at the service. Left-right are W.O.II Ashton Halldorson, LAC Kaisa Cardinal, AC Callista Gomes and AC Alexandra Aldrich.

Invited dignitaries await their turn to speak. Left-right are High Prairie RCMP Cpl. Adam Best, Lesser Slave Lake MLA Danielle Larivee, Town of High Prairie Mayor Linda Cox, and Big Lakes County Reeve Ken Matthews.

George Bennett was one of many to lay a wreath in honour of Canada’s fallen heroes.

High Prairie Legion president Don Ebbett was master of ceremonies for the service.

Brooke Buchan, of High Prairie, read her Remembrance Day award winning poem.

High Prairie Air Cadets proudly led a short parade around the block after the service. Many participated in support of the Legion.

High Prairie RCMP Cpl. Adam Best salutes during the national anthem.