Region gathers in remembrance
Posted By Lori Penner
Posted 2 months ago
The W.C. Miller band played during the ceremony in Gretna.
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The sunny skies were a sharp contrast to the solemn mood at Remembrance Day services last week. In Gretna, the school gym was filled to capacity with people paying tribute to Canada's fallen soldiers. The crowd included veterans, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Border Services, as well as dignitaries and representatives from Gretna, Altona, Plum Coulee and the R.M. of Rhineland.
In his call to remembrance, MC Harv Kroeker described how Remembrance Day came to be. "In 1918, the First World War officially ended on Armistice Day and hostilities ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month," he said. "More than 595,000 Canadians enlisted, of whom 422,000 served overseas. Following the Second World War, Armistice Day was changed to Remembrance Day, which commemorates all the Canadian men and women who died in the Boer War, two World Wars, the Korean War and in other actions for the United Nations."
Kroeker added that it is also important to remember those who passed on since coming home from military service. "Every year, their numbers decline. We must resolve to remember their service."
In his meditation, Rev. Rudy Franz said the need to be remembered is a universal cry. He said when we are children, caring relationships affirm this. Later, as we raise families and care for parents, we are remembered for who we were called to be. "The poor, the starving and those in hospitals also ask to be remembered. And it is also the plea of the soldiers themselves. The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. We need to give tribute where tribute is due. Because when we forget, we become directionless."
The reading of the names of those who paid the ultimate price for freedom was followed by the laying of wreaths and the traditional moment of silence.
Several American veterans from Neche, ND also attended the service. At 85, Jim Lembke says he still remembers shooting down Japanese airplanes in the Second World War. As a Seaman First Class, he served aboard the USS San Diego from 1943-46. "I enlisted at 18 because it was simply the thing to do. Everyone was going."
Technical Sgt. George Winkler said he spent his 19th birthday crouched in a foxhole in Okinawa. "I was drafted, so I had to go. Nine out of the 12 in my squadron were either wounded or killed," he recalled. "Things would not be good over here if it hadn't been for the soldiers. They gave their everything and it's important to remember them." Local veteran Art Braun served in Canada for the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1943-45. He gazed wistfully at the long row of photos on display of the young local soldiers who had lost their lives.
"I knew a few of these guys personally and it still brings back so many memories to see these," he said. "I enlisted and chose to serve, and it broadened my thinking." Braun said it is important to also remember those who are currently serving in Afghanistan. "It's a different war now. Back then, we knew who the enemy was. But it's not as defined as it used to be."
