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My Take on Snow Lake - Nov. 28, 2014

Candles lit for those who served
Cathy Stabback, Lois Charron, Sharon Stubbs Darren Longpré
From left to right, Legion comrades Cathy Stabback, Lois Charron, Sharon Stubbs and veteran Darren Longpré.

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #241 held their annual Candlelight Tribute Ceremony at the Veteran’s Corner Cenotaph at 6:30 p.m. on the evening of Nov. 5. For the second year now, there were close to 50 people in attendance, a noteworthy and welcome trend for this yearly observance. Once again the weather was cool, but there was warmth that emulated from the service itself and from congregating with others in the act of remembrance.

Leader of the assembly, Legion president Sharon Stubbs opened the service at the appointed time and began, “ln recognition of Veterans’ Week we welcome you to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #241 Candlelight Tribute Service. During this week, Nov. 5-11, hundreds of commemorative ceremonies and events will take place across the country to recognize the achievements of our veterans and honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice. During Veterans’ Week there are many ways to show that you remember and honour our veterans: Pin a poppy above your heart, attend the local Remembrance Day ceremony, talk to a friend or relative who has just returned home from Afghanistan or who served in other areas of conflict, listen to veterans talk about their experiences,” Stubbs offered. “Above all, we must vow never to forget. However you choose to remember, be sure to share with everyone you know. Together, it is our duty to pass on the legacy and keep the memories of Canadian veterans alive. Please take time to remember! Canadian vets never forgot us, so let’s not forget them,” she added.

President Stubbs then called Halleigh Johnston, great granddaughter of WWII veteran Eric Stoltz and the daughter of Afghanistan veteran Kelly Johnston, forward to recite the “Commitment to Remember.”  Miss Johnston said: They were young, as we are young. They served, giving freely of themselves. To them we pledge, amid the winds of time, to carry their torch and never forget. We will remember them. Lord God of host, be with us yet, Lest we Forget, Lest we Forget.

When Miss Johnston receded back to the assembly, comrade Cathy Stabback read The Veterans’ Prayer. Following this, Mrs. Stubbs stated that she would like to remember her husband, veteran Gerry Stubbs, and she also lit a candle for and acknowledged the following veterans who no longer have family living in Snow Lake: Herb Halverson, Gordon Kitchen, John Dutka, Hanley Dahle, Harry Graham, Peter Tataryn, AIbert Schweitzer, Peter Smadella, Gordon Rupp, Clayton Robinson, Jim Kjalgaard, Norm Lindsey, Stan Major, Paul Neilson, Lorne Porter, George Gamble, Joe Walters, Jack Goodall, Wilf Lipton, Jake Bitzer, and Fred and Eileen Burr.

Subsequently, comrades Stubbs and Stabback began calling forward those who wished to lay candles: Gail Eastman/Halleigh Johnston laid the first in memory of her father/great grandfather WWll vet Eric Stoltz, WWI vet Harry Roberts, and Afghanistan vet Chad Horn. Desert Storm veteran Darren Longpré  placed his candle for Korean vet Lucien Longpre.  Agnes Hornyak and Dennis Hornyak for Korean vets Russell, Roy, and Glenn MacDonald and for WWll vets Joe, Andy, and George Galambos. Joanne Bradley laid a candle for WWII vet Bob Bradley. Jody Wilson and Cam Booth for her father WWII vet Ted Wilson. Maralyn Romanuik for her father WWII vet Gordon McKercher.  Ella Nogier for WWII vet Boedy Glidden.  Marilyn and John Humeniuk for her father WWII vet Robert Wilson and WWI vet Art Wilson. Teacher Twila Korchinski for WWl vet Joseph H. Kerr. Lois Charron for WWII vet Jake Bitzer. Marc Jackson for his father WWII vet Ian M. Jackson.  Leone Jackson for WWII vet Joan Currie. Betty and Brian Hicks for WWII vet  Gordon R. Doak, WWII vet Eileen Burr, and for all fallen soldiers. Joyce Radford for WWII vet Ken Radford and WWII vet Peggy Radford. Darlene and Bill Pleasance for her parents WWll vets Covert and Doreen (nee Wanamaker) Armsworthy, The Wanamaker family (WWII vets) and the McLean and Pleasance family (WWII and WWI vets). Richard Jones for Boer War vet Richard Jones.  Jackie Jones for WWII vets Dave and George Carrier. Kim Stephens and Richard Jones for the Town of Snow Lake. Katie Spruyt for Opa Spruyt. Sydney, Darcy, and Connor Coulson for their great grandfather WWII vet Gordon R. Doak. Rick Leaman for all veterans, and Phyllis Verbeek for Tom Verbeek.  

Comrade Cathy Stabback then recited ‘Forget Them Not’, she began: We’ve lined their boots all in a row, And amongst them stand, The saddest scene I’ll ever know, Goodbye dear friend, goodbye! Through mud and rain and battle blows, We cried cursed prayers, On blood-soaked clothes; And from that wound his life did flow, Please stay we begged, please stay!  There is a time that soldiers know, When so many die, That the pain and woe, ls too much for the mind to hold; Roll on your drums, roll on!  A band of brothers stand in their rows; The empty boots still, Where a life did grow, Our friends have gone, no more to know; Remember them always, Remember!

To end the ceremony, president Stubbs very fittingly called veteran Darren Longpré  (who stood on guard as those congregated laid their candles) forward to recite the “Act of Remembrance,” which is the fourth stanza of Lawrence Binyon’s poem, “For the Fallen.” He stated with the emotion that all in attendance felt on this cold evening: They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.  At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

Mrs. Stubbs thanked everyone for attending and noted that the candles would remain lit until Nov. 11. Attendees gathered in the Legion for cake, coffee, and camaraderie. 

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