As the motorcycle procession arrived at the 800 block of Veterans Boulevard in Airdrie on Oct. 29 under sunny skies and fair temperatures, dozens gathered to place the crosses in the Field of Honour to remember those who have given their lives in service to their country.
The thoughts of those assembled did not solely dwell on past sorrows and old wounds, but also on the sorrows and challenges Canadian servicemen and servicewomen are facing today.
In a world that often feels like it’s teetering on the edge of madness these days, the white crosses placed in the ground in Airdrie were a tangible reminder of how razor thin that red line between peace and war has become in recent months.
“In all the turmoil and upheaval we are seeing in the world today, I can tell you how happy I am to live in a country that stands up for democracy and against evil,” said Airdrie-Cochrane MLA and Alberta Energy Minister Peter Guthrie to the veterans and members of the public assembled along Veterans Boulevard.
Guthrie was echoed in that thought by his UCP caucus colleague, Airdrie-East MLA Angela Pitt.
“Today we honour those fallen soldiers, and those still currently serving,” she said. “We know that freedom isn’t free, and we can honour those who fought for our freedoms by defending our own democratic system.”
“Remembrance shouldn’t be about one day, one week, or even one month – it should be every day,” added Banff-Airdrie MP Blake Richards, who was also present for Saturday’s Field of Honour ceremony. “That is why I am so proud we have Veterans Boulevard here in Airdrie.”
The crosses placed in the ground are a reminder of the sacrifices Canadian service men and women have made, and continue to make, in the name of that freedom, said Army, Navy and Airforce Veterans of Canada (ANAVETS) national service officer with Unit 2, Allan Hunter, who also serves as vice-chair of the Veterans Association Food Bank for the Calgary and Edmonton regions.
“I hope people passing through will look at the crosses and realize that is a name of someone who has fallen, and there are families in and around those people who have lost their loved ones who will grieve forever,” he said.
But it is not enough to simply acknowledge that sacrifice a few weeks a year in the lead up to Remembrance Day, according to Hunter. He noted it must come with a realization that there are serving members right now who continue to put themselves at risk, and veterans who are still paying the cost for the freedoms Canadians enjoy – and often, it must be said, take for granted.
“We have got men and women right now who have just signed up and they are in barracks around the country who could be sent into harm’s way at any second,” Hunter said. “So there are the ones around us who are struggling, and there are going to be the ones who are going to come home and have their own struggles.
“When we say, ‘We will remember,’ that’s an action word; it’s not just a phrase.”
Hunter said one tangible way Airdronians and others could help honour the sacrifices and service of veterans and their families is to support the Veterans Association Food Bank in any way they can.
“Veterans are having a tough time this time of year anyways, but with the economy the way it is, and the pressures on everything from gas to food prices, we have had a significant increase in first time people who are coming – veterans who are struggling; veterans’ and their families,” he said.
Mayor Peter Brown, who led the motorcycle procession, affirmed the City of Airdrie was fully dedicated to remembering and honouring its veterans.
At the city council meeting on Oct. 17 that preceded Saturday’s cross-laying ceremony, he introduced a notice of motion to start conversations about installing a new, permanent veterans’ memorial in Airdrie.
“One of the greatest privileges of my life has been serving as mayor,” Brown stated, “but very close to that is meeting many veterans and their families over the last 12 years.
“They are unique, they are different, and they do things with passion and care for everyone. And it is an amazing part of my life; so I sincerely thank you to those among us who have served. To those families who watched them leave, we say thank you. I can assure you, we will never forget.”
With his notice of motion approved by council last month, Brown added the groundwork should soon be laid to create a future site to continue honouring veterans year-round.
“We don’t know exactly what that is; so we are in the beginning stages of working with the Legion, with veterans’ groups, and sort of having everyone come together to (figure out) what’s the best approach so we can, from one end of Veterans Blvd. to the other end, so it’s not just a name – it’s an opportunity to remember 365 days a year,” he said.
Those wishing to support the Veterans Association Food Bank can visit veteransassociationfoodbank.ca.
