Battleford Legion members with Mayor Ames Leslie (centre, second to left) and guests at Monday's ceremony. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Remembering the Queen

Legion recognizes Day of Mourning with memorial service for the Queen

Sep 19, 2022 | 5:03 PM

It was a touching tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Canadian Legion Battleford Branch No. 9 memorial service Monday.

The half-hour event was held at the cenotaph in Battleford, during the National Day of Mourning for the Queen’s passing.

The ceremony included a trumpeter’s performance of the Last Post, speeches from the Battleford Legion’s first
vice-president Tim Popp and president Esther Delainey, as well as remarks from Mayor Ames Leslie.

As part of the event, four minutes of silence were held and a laying of wreaths.

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“You think about what the Queen has done for our country, although some people may think not, she is our Head of State, and is the only royal person associated with Canada we have ever known,” Popp said. “It’s something that sticks with you. It’s a sense of history. It’s a sense of heritage that we need to respect.”

He said 70 years of service is unheard of for a sovereign.

The Queen is the longest serving British monarch, and the second longest reigning monarch in the world.

“It’s quite an accomplishment, nothing that will ever be equaled,” Popp said.

Mayor Leslie remarked the day brings out many emotions for people.

“It’s a day of mourning and it’s also a day of celebration,” he said. “There are a lot of mixed emotions today. I’m very grateful for the Legion for putting this together on short notice and hosting a public event here to mourn the Queen.”

Leslie said the event was also an opportunity to recognize the changing of the guard in the monarchy.

He added it was unique to hear “God Save the King” at the end of the memorial service.

“In my lifetime, it has always been ‘God Save the Queen,'” Leslie said. “So it’s interesting to see the change we are going to have in our country, and across the monarchy.”

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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW