Folks visiting cemeteries in Moose Jaw on Sunday afternoon would have been hard-pressed to miss the Canadian flags decorating headstones of military veterans who had passed over the years.
Some had lived long and fruitful lives, but many, many more had died extremely young, some still in their teens. Soldiers who had answered the call of their country in times of war and given the ultimate sacrifice.
Honouring those who had fallen not only in 20th century wars, but in conflicts long before, is the main goal of Decoration Day, which takes place in Canada on the first Sunday in June every year.
The event is organized across the country by the Royal Canadian Legion, with the local branch holding their ceremony in Rosedale Cemetery among the 1,100-plus flags set out prior to the event.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 59 first vice president Bob Travale put together this year’s Decoration Day in Moose Jaw and was quick to point out the importance of remembering those who had fallen so we can live the lives we live today.
“It’s very, very important,” Travale said. “All of our veterans going back to Confederation, it’s very important that we honour them, they died in battle for their country, and they died very young. If you look around this graveyard, there are a lot of privates that are young, 18, 19, 20 years old who passed on. So this is all to remember and honour people like them.”
The first Decoration Day took place in June 1890, when veterans of the Fenian Raids more than 20 years earlier placed decorations at the Canadian Volunteers Monument in Toronto. The following year, the public took notice, with 30,000 people taking part in remembrance ceremonies during the 25th anniversary of the Raids. It’s since become an annual event, focussing on Canada’s battles as a young nation before the First World War.
Travale has an interesting connection to Decoration Day. He grew up in Hamilton and often made his way down Limeridge Road, near where the Battle of Ridgeway took place to mark the beginning of the Fenian Raids.
Decoration Day in Moose Jaw included the traditional laying of wreaths by dignitaries from the Legion and Anavets, 15 Wing and Saskatchewan Dragoons, along with the playing of the Last Post and Rouse on bugle by Capt. Rick Elmer before bagpiper Michelle Gallagher played the Piper’s Lament.
Comrade Justin Eddison -- himself a veteran of the Afghanistan war -- told of the history of Decoration Day, and 15 Wing chaplain Rev. Andrew Klinger offered the Opening Prayer, Act of Remembrance and Benediction.
