The Clearwater Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph in Reg Small Park on Nov. 11 was well-attended. Members of the RCMP stood on guard as the parade marshal, retired Army/Airborne Sgt. Randy Hedlund, coordinated the somber march — led by the parade commander, Lt.-Col. Peter Bell, and Coxswain/SGM Rod Tulett — to the cenotaph square. The parade was piped in by local bagpiper Grant Halls.
The parade included local dignitaries from the District of Clearwater, First Nations, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, RCMP, and all three branches of the Canadian Armed Forces, along with honoured first responders, residents, and guests.
Those gathered united in the singing of “O Canada”. It was followed by the “Last Post” and two minutes of silence, then reveille bugle calls performed by Dan Daase and Calvin Lutz. The Act of Remembrance was delivered by CPL D. Bjorkman of the Canadian Ranger Patrol group and the calling of the names of fallen comrades by retired sergeant Randy Hedlund. Clearwater Secondary School senior Saya Stelter then recited the poem “In Flanders Fields”.
The Prime Minister’s message was read by Clearwater RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Grant Simpson.
Master of ceremonies, and Legion Branch #259 president Charlotte Cedarholm, read the Premier of B.C.’s message and gave opening remarks, urging those in attendance to “never forget”. She gave thanks to everyone for attending to honour those who had gone before to preserve our freedom and peace in Canada, adding “Canadian men and women who are members of our armed forces are still fighting for world peace and the freedom of not only us, but of others.
“They continue to make the ultimate sacrifice. It is important that we take time not only to remember but to say ‘thank you’ for what you have done for us and for those oppressed and for your service.”
Hedlund named the official wreaths as each one was laid at the foot of the cenotaph. Daase offered a benediction before everyone sang “God Save the King” and Hedlund gave the formal dismissal.
Clearwater mayor Merlin Blackwell commented on the event, saying “We always have an exceptionally good turnout at the Remembrance Day ceremonies in Clearwater, and this year was no different. It was also nice to see the local Legion acknowledge Aboriginal Veterans Day on Nov. 8. Two of our district councillors attended on behalf of the district, and we will make sure to continue to acknowledge this event in the years to come.”
Hedlund offered his perspective, saying “We are extremely fortunate to have the volunteers we have. They help us immensely in getting the word out to the people and politicians that war is unconscionable. We need our people and their elected representatives to understand this at its base level, more now than ever. That is what I hope for from every ceremony. I truly hope for a memorable event: one that affects the very soul of the viewer. All need to understand that ‘war is not an option’.”
