The March Off The Colours following the Remembrance Day service at the Don Ross Community Centre on Sat., Nov.11. The ceremony brought out young and old to bear witness to the timeless tradition. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Remembrance Day

Stories, poems and music prominent in North Battleford Remembrance Day service

Nov 11, 2023 | 5:20 PM

Speaking to a packed auditorium at the Don Ross Community Centre on Saturday, Rev. Trevor Maylon of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 70 evoked images of a sandy seaside surrounded by barbwire and machine gun fortified desolation one June day in Normandy when he spoke of how the Regina Rifles, affectionately known as Farmers Johns, helped liberate France and Belgium that fateful summer on Juno Beach.

“These soldiers had prepared for a number of years for this particular day,” he said, noting they were joined on that hellish landscape by Royal Winnipeg Rifles, the Sixth Canadian Armoured Regiment (1st Hussars) and others on June 6, 1944.

“These were the first soldiers to battle their way into France, to topple the tyranny of the German Nazi Regime.”

In Malyon’s Remembrance Day address, aptly titled “The Battle Close to Home” he shared the history of those young everyday farmers, fur trappers and students who, like so many others, left their homes to wage the battle for freedom.

“To think for a moment from the golden prairies of Saskatchewan, the wide-open spaces, the clear blue skies, clean air to a seasick dreary English Channel crossing.”

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Al White lays a wreath on behalf of MLA Jeremy Cockrill during the Remembrance Day service at the Don Ross Community Centre on Sat., Nov.11. The ceremony brought out young and old to bear witness to the timeless tradition. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW)

The Remembrance Day service in North Battleford brought out young and old to bear witness to a timeless ceremony that aims to ensure that Poet John McCrae’s words “To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high” are not forgotten.

Daryl Gauthier, now retired from the Royal Canadian Air Force, said having the service was important to hold as a way to always remember the sacrifices of the service men and women past and present.

“Not only the people that are being killed, but the ones that are wounded in action,” he said.

“They’re coming back and a lot of them have a lot of trauma and they need as much support as possible.”

For Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Daniel Sigouin, seeing the turnout at the ceremony was “Fantastic.”

Jack Tatchell plays “The Last Post” during the Remembrance Day service at the Don Ross Community Centre on Sat., Nov.11. The ceremony brought out young and old to bear witness to the timeless tradition. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW)

“Great to see the participation and the cadets – I’d had a talk with them in the back – the power of suggestion. It’s one thing for an old guy like me to stand on the stage or do readings or participate in that, I feel that when the cadets are participating, people pay more attention.”

The ceremony included a well-rounded display of military and Remembrance Day tradition that included the March On The Colours with several readings including “In Flanders Fields,” laying of the wreaths and musical interludes.

Gauthier, who served overseas said it was nice to see the mix of ages in the audience.

“Coming here and seeing the community being involved and being there means a lot,” he said.

“Having their support is, it’s like you’re not forgotten.”

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julia.lovett-squires@pattisonmedia.com