A large number of Thompsonites, from bright eyed children to senior citizens who can hearken back to troubled times, showed up at the C. A. Nesbitt Arena on Nov. 11 to take part in a solemn ceremony honouring past and current Canadian soldiers on Remembrance Day.
During the ceremony speeches were made by dignitaries such as Mayor Tim Johnston, Thompson NDP MLA Steve Ashton and Churchill NDP MP Niki Ashton. Standing tall and proud in the arena were uniformed RCMP officers, air cadets, Knights of Columbus and more.
After prayers were offered and speeches were delivered, representatives from different organizations and businesses in Thompson also got the chance to lay a wreath down at the main cenotaph that was set up in the arena to pay their respects.
Johnston says he is very impressed with the amount of people that came out to honour the important day, saying that all the different events he witnessed as part of the week of remembrance were very well attended.
"One of the events that I attended was the National Aboriginal Veteran's Day at Wapanohk Community School, and that was a tremendous service," he says. "One of the great things about Canada is our ethnic and cultural diversity. So many people have come to this country, have made Canada home and have defended those principles and values that we truly believe in, and I think we have to recognize the contribution that everyone has made to that, making Canada a great place to live."Johnston also says the number of youth who have shown up to different events is very impressive.
Steve Ashton echoed Johnston's sentiments about ensuring that all war veterans and soldiers are honoured on Remembrance Day and every day.
"Over the last few years there's been clear recognition of our aboriginal veterans, with National Aboriginal Veteran's Day. We see here in Thompson with the event at Wapanohk Community School and remembrance events throughout the province and throughout the community that that has been recognized," he explains. "It was a difficult time for a lot of aboriginal veterans. I've visited with many over the years, and they often came back to very difficult circumstances. So I think that's really a positive thing, to recognize our aboriginal vets and our veterans overall."
Ashton says he too was happy to see the high attendance at the Remembrance Day ceremony from people of all ages.
"What really means a lot to me are the generations. You have people here that have lived through times of conflict on a world scale, up to a new generation with Canadian troops currently in combat, in this case in Afghanistan, and I think that means a lot when you see all generations of Canadians here paying their respects and all remembering."
Ashton went on to point out that he feels very strongly about Remembrance Day as a democratically elected official, noting that if it hadn't been for the sacrifice of many Canadians the democratic process might not even be in place.
Niki Ashton, who has been coming to Remembrance Day services in Thompson her whole life, says its important even for people who aren't related to veterans or who may not know any personally to show their respect.
