REMEMBRANCE DAY TRIBUTES
Calgarians honour the fallen
“When the guns of the Great War had at last fell silent, the fury of conflict was replaced by a deafening silence … we were faced with all we had done, all we had lost and all we had sacrificed.”
The sombre words of Capt. Andrew Pittet of the Calgary Highlanders echoed over hundreds of Calgarians crowded around the cenotaph at Central Memorial Park this Remembrance Day.
Neat rows of cadets in sharp, green tunics stood to order, while bystanders shed their hats and bowed their heads beneath a Canadian flag flapping at half-mast. Poppies, kilts and medals of valour were stark symbols worn by community members gathered together for one purpose: remembering.
Lt. ( Ret.) Reg Spratley also served in the late 1980s and early 1990s with the Calgary Highlanders, an esteemed reserve unit based in Calgary that has been in operation since 1910.
He said that the trauma of battle and horrors seen in past peacekeeping missions are memories they live with every day, especially older veterans, one of many reasons why Remembrance Day is so important for them.
“The army is our home — the city is what we’d call a secondary home,” Spratley said.
“Even our vets in their 90s, they want to talk, they want to remember. There’s a huge need for these men to be a part of something so they’re not lost.”
Now the president of the Calgary Highlanders Regimental Association, Spratley said a big part of his job is connecting with veterans both young and old, and creating a safe space for them to share their stories.
“I find most of them just want to talk,” he said. “My hope is for them to reconnect ... on a personal level where they can regenerate friendships and have relevant things to talk about.”
While many in attendance were there simply to listen, pay their respects or learn more about Canada’s varied military history, Calgarians like Mimine Porio said the ceremony was about connecting the past with the present.
“I work in a nursing home and get to take care of many wonderful female veterans,” Porio said.
“Pilots, nurses, radio operators … it’s very inclusive, and I feel so appreciative of what they’ve done for us.”
Others like retired Cpl. Dave Hackenschmidt said every day of the year is Remembrance Day for them.
Hackenschmidt’s ball cap, which he sports every day, has at least 10 poppies tacked to it along with an eclectic mix of service pins.
“I wear it as a year-round reminder for people,” he said. “Today was great, but it’s about more than that. There are Canadians fighting every day for us — I know what that’s like.”
With six daughters and four sons, Hackenschmidt added that he hopes his commitment to service will encourage some of his own family members to serve one day.
Officials in attendance included Ward 8 Coun. Evan Woolley, who placed a wreath and spoke on behalf of the city.
“For the men and women who died in service of Canada, they sacrificed their lives to make this world a better place,” he said. “We live in the safest place on earth because of this service, and we’re afforded a quality of life that humbles me every day.”
Remembrance Day ceremonies were held across the city on Friday, including Fort Calgary, the Jubilee Auditorium and Battalion Park.
Thousands of people attended ceremonies at the Military Museums, according to representative Stephen Magusiak, making it the biggest turnout in years.
“We’d like to thank so many Calgarians for showing up,” he said. “Seeing a turnout like this and all the support for the veterans has been really heartwarming. It’s been an encouraging day.”
With the Veteran’s Food Bank struggling to fill their shelves this year, Magusiak added that they were thrilled to generate five pallets’ worth of food donations at Friday’s ceremony.
Looking ahead to 2017, Magusiak said it will be a huge year for museums and members of service across Canada with the 100th anniversaries of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele and Hill 70.
“(Next year) will be a pretty significant year for Canada,” he added.
“We’re focusing our programming and hosting exhibits to commemorate these defining moments for the nation, where units from all across the country fought as one.”