On a chilly November 11 morning, a group of Canora residents gathered at the cenotaph at the town hall for the annual Remembrance Day Service, to pay tribute to those who have served Canada.
Members of the Canora squadron of the Royal Canadian Air cadets acted as flag bearers.
Rev. Brett Watson led the service at the cenotaph.
The service began with the singing ofO Canada, followed by a prayer for Remembrance Day by Watson.
“Oh Lord our God, on this 11th day of the 11th month we once again gather to remember. You have called us to be people of peace saying, “Blessed are the peacemakers” and reminding us that we are to love our neighbour and our enemy as we love ourselves.
“But there are times and places in the world where we fail to live out those words, times when young men and women hear and answer the call to put on the uniforms of their country and serve under their flag. They go, at the request of their nation, to far-off lands to stand a post, fight the battles and many give their lives for the cause of freedom.
“Today we give thanks for all who have chosen to serve their country. We give thanks for their bravery, their commitment, and their love.
“But we know that when armies meet on the field there are always some who don’t come home.
And so we pause in the memory of those who went and did not return to fathers and mothers, husbands and wives and children left behind.
“Be with us Lord as we give thanks for those who go, serve and fight so that we don't have to, and as we remember and honour all those who fought and died and fought and lived so that we live in freedom. Thank you Lord.”
“Amen.”
A two-minute silence was observed, followed by the playing of Last Post.
Watson shared reflections on the special meaning of the 2018 Remembrance Day cenotaph service.
“Our commemorations today acknowledge that at this very hour, on this day and this month 100 years ago, the last shot was fired, weapons were laid down and it was the end of the war to end all wars. We know, of course, that this was not to be. There have been several wars and conflicts since in which Canadian men and women have chosen to put on a uniform, stand a post and to fight and yes, to die, in all corners of the world for the cause of freedom. There are those today who yet serve for this very purpose to promote peace.
Today we honour all those who have gone before, those who died and those who survived, as well as those who serve today to preserve the life we enjoy.”
Carol Sleeva of the Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion introduced individuals and groups who were to lay the wreaths.
Watson led the closing prayer.
“And now, God of love, as we have remembered and honoured, and as we go about our everyday lives, may the remembering we have done here today reawaken and strengthen our commitment to work for peace, true peace. Help us remember our calling to be peacemakers at home and around the world, in the big things and in the small. And may we never forget the cost that has already been paid.
“God of peace that surpasses all understanding, we pray our remembrances and our hopes in the name of Christ, the Prince of Peace, who taught his friends to pray by saying together:
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, and deliver us from evil. For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”
The service closed with the singing of God Save the Queen.
