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Local Legion members are busy preparing for Remembrance Day services

‘It’s about remembering on the 11th, but also about remembering year-round, too.’
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Family and loved ones paid respects by laying wreaths at the Lacombe Cenotaph in honour of those who have served and are currently serving in Canada’s Military during last year’s service. Express file photo

Plans for local Remembrance Day services are taking shape under the direction of the Royal Canadian Legion Lacombe Branch #79.

“The last time we had an indoor service was in 2019, so we are very excited to be at the Lacombe Memorial Centre again for a full service,” explained Kathy Hobbs, past president of the executive of Royal Canadian Legion Lacombe Branch #79.

“We have the Lions Community Band coming to play for us at the beginning of the service and at the end,” she said. “We also have the Red Deer and District Pipe Band which will be piping in the dignitaries and the colour party for the Legion. And then of course, they also do the recessional part.

“To be back inside with all of these people participating is wonderful,” she said.

Hobbs said those interested in attending should consider arriving around 10 a.m. as it gets fairly crowded.

“We usually have well over 500 people,” she said, adding that Legion Chaplain Doug Herbert will be leading the singing of O Canada and God Save the King.

Hobbs expects the parade of colours to start heading to the stage at about 10:30 a.m.

At 11 a.m. of course, a performance of Last Post will be presented along with two minutes of silence.

Local groups including the Lacombe cadets and the Pathfinders are also expected to be a part of the service. “We also do the ‘Act of Remembrance’ and the ‘Promise of Remembrance’. That’s a very meaningful part of the service that falls right after Last Post. We then lay the wreaths, and then it’s back to the Legion for the veterans and the public who would like to attend. The lounge will be open for socializing.”

Hobbs also said a pancake breakfast is scheduled for Remembrance Day as well, set to start at 8 a.m. at the Legion.

“We’ve typically had a pancake breakfast as a fundraiser for the Legion, so it’s by donation,” she explained.

In the meantime, the public is invited to come to the cemetery on Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. as Legion members and anyone who would like to will be placing poppies on the graves of veterans.

“Everyone is welcome and we appreciate all volunteers.”

It’s been a busy season in the build-up to Remembrance Day, what with a special candlelight service hosted by the Legion last month at Fairview Cemetery where lit candles were placed on the graves of veterans in honour of their service.

“When I went to pick up the candles from the cemetery the next morning, one of the nearby residents said there were so many people who had come after the ceremony was over to sit on our benches and see the candles glowing on the graves,” she said.

“That was so nice to hear.”

Also last month, in a tribute to the sacrifices made by many, the Veterans Voices of Canada Flags of Remembrance ceremony was held at the Pentagon Farm Centre at Lacombe. That event was also hosted by the local Legion.

Hobbs also mentioned that if anyone would like to help out with this year’s poppy campaign, they’d be more than welcome to do so. Those interested can call the Legion office at 403-782-6441.

“The remembrance of the sacrifices of so many, and keeping that message alive is what Remembrance Day is about,” she said. “It’s about remembering on the 11th, but also about remembering year-round, too.”



Mark Weber

About the Author: Mark Weber

I've been a part of the Black Press Media family for about a dozen years now, with stints at the Red Deer Express, the Stettler Independent, and now the Lacombe Express.
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