Legion Hosting Remembrance Day And Invites Community To Attend
“It was a different time during the war years,” Bob Travalee first vice president of the local Royal Canadian Legion Branch 59 Moose Jaw and coordinator of this year’s Remembrance Day services.
The services to be held November 11th at 10:30 am the Moose Jaw Event Centre will feature not only a march in consisting of veterans, 15 Wing Moose Jaw, the Dragoons and all local cadets but also a special tribute to the 80th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid as well as a final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II.
“You had kids who were 18 or 19 years old who went overseas to fight for our country not coming back for years if at all,” Travalee said.
“We need to remember them.”
Photo credit Moose Jaw Legion
This year’s commemoration has the Legion asking people to be seated inside the heated Moose Jaw Event’s Centre by 10:30 am if possible although those arriving later than that are still welcome to attend. Doors open at 10 am so people can show up at that time if they chose.
A short religious service will be held as part of the commemoration.
At 11 pm there will be a moment (two minutes) of silence to remember those who have passed away.
Special Events Commemorated This Year
With the restrictions surrounding the COVID - 19 pandemic now over this will be the first time Remembrance Day services have been held for the general public to attend. Everyone is welcome from the youngest child to the oldest members of Moose Jaw and communities surrounding it.
This year’s Remembrance Day consists of a special flag being carried to remember the 80 year anniversary of the August 19, 1942 Dieppe Raid.
The Dieppe Raid saw 4,963 Canadian troops - out of just over 6,000 Allied troops - storm the beaches to see the feasibility of landing on German held beaches as well as gather intelligence. The raid lasted less than six hours and was a disaster costing Canada 916 killed in action, 2,460 wounded and 1,946 captured.
Additionally Remembrance Day this year will also feature a final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth II was herself a military veteran of WW II defying her parent’s wishes she volunteered in 1945 and served in active duty as a truck driver and a mechanic. One of the few roles women were allowed in England’s military at that time.
Her serving in the military helped strengthen the morale of the British people.
“This is our final farewell,” he said.
Legion run Remembrance Day ceremonies across Canada will all be paying the same tribiutes.
Why Remember????
A veteran himself, Travalee spent 35 and a half years as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces following in the footsteps of his father. A father who was a member of the Canadian 1st Division and was seriously wounded during the first wave wading onto Juno Beach.
“He was wounded pretty bad. He was in the First Division and landed at the beach in Normandy.
Asked about why people should come out and observe Remembrance Day goes beyond remembering the people who served.
“To me it is very important to come and remember because it is the building of Canada as a nation. Years ago Canada was never considering a nation, as you know in our history, nowadays we are becoming a country and we honour. Just to honour the respect that our fellow Canadian citizens gave their life for their country,” he said.
In the First World War Canada was automatically at war when Britain declared war. Due to the sacrifices Canadians made during the Great War in World War II Canada declared war on Germany and her allies independent of Britain.
Travalee said there is a special kinship between those who served in the military.
“Military people who served in the military you are sort of like brothers. Anybody who was in the military, like me, you are sort of like brothers together…you talk about old times but there is sort of a camaraderie there…we remember those who have passed on before us.”
Although there are few living members from World War II still alive today there are still some in the community. They are in their late 90’s or over 100 years old.
The veterans of the Korean War 1950 - 1953 are also getting up in age and there are fewer of them left each year.
Weather Changes Regular Program
Although this is the first post COVID - 19 commemoration there will not be the traditional march from the Moose Jaw Events Centre to the Legion for the traditional gathering. The reason is the predicted -17C temperatures for the morning of November 11th.
A gathering which regularly packs the Legion with veterans, military members, families and others.
“It is just because of the weather. It takes quite awhile to form everybody up into a march. It is a consideration for people who are there and also for the people who are marching as well,” he said, adding “some of us veterans are pretty old for the cold.”
Everyone Welcome At The Legion
Following the commemoration at the Moose Jaw Event Centre there is a traditional gathering at the Legion.
“Basically we sit around and talk. Most of the time it is standing room only. It is just camaraderie and we talk and get to meet old friends. Like some of my (military) friends I might see once a year or every two years. We just sort of get together and have a good time,” Travalee said.
Veterans, military members, family members of veterans and community members are welcome to drop in to the event.
There is a small lunch - a soup and a sandwich - with everybody attending gone by 3 pm, he said.