Winnipeg Pays Tribute to Veterans and Fallen Soldiers on Remembrance Day
Honoring Canada’s Past Heroes: ‘They Mustn’t Be Forgotten’
On a solemn Remembrance Day in Winnipeg, hundreds gathered at the RBC Convention Centre to honor the courage and sacrifice of Canadian veterans and fallen soldiers. The day, steeped in tradition and reverence, served as a reminder that Canada’s freedoms were built on the struggles and sacrifices of those who served.
In his address, 17 Wing Chaplain Antin Sloboda highlighted the importance of honoring generations who answered the call to defend their country. “Each sacrifice is imprinted in the fabric that shapes the identity of Canada and cannot be forgotten,” Sloboda said. He reminded Canadians that the life they enjoy is “a fruit of the struggles and sacrifices of the past.”
This year’s Remembrance Day holds heightened significance, given the global backdrop of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Sloboda expressed a renewed call for peace, stating, “Let us remember with gratitude the thousands of Canadians who choose today to serve Canada before themselves.”
The event also marked several important military anniversaries: ten years since the end of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, 60 years of peacekeeping in Cyprus, and the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force. It also recognized the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a day that saw 14,000 Canadians storm Juno Beach, a decisive moment in the liberation of France during World War II.
Captain Gabriel Boucher, master of ceremonies, emphasized the need for Canadians to remember the bravery of these young men and women, stating, “Living in their greatly favoured land, Canadians often seem all too ready to forget that great events…let them develop and prosper in freedom.” He expressed gratitude to veterans, saying, “Thank you for your service, both in times of peace and in the face of war. Your dedication and sacrifices have not gone unnoticed.”
The event continued with a wreath-laying ceremony following the playing of “The Last Post.” Among those who placed wreaths were Manitoba Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville, Memorial Cross representative Dean Smith, federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, and Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham.
In his remarks, Premier Kinew reflected on the service and sacrifice of Canadian military members, both past and present. “In their sacrifice and service, each of us as Canadians has been given a great gift of a country that upholds democracy and a life of hard-won freedoms,” he said.
In addition to the convention centre service, several other ceremonies were held across Winnipeg, including one at Vimy Ridge Memorial Park, where members of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Regiment gathered to remember their fallen. Maj. Richard Desjardins, president of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Association, shared how Canadian soldiers serve not only in war but also as peacekeepers and first responders to natural disasters. “Canada doesn’t go to gain territory,” he noted, “it usually goes to assist others in need.”
John Robins, a former commanding officer and longtime attendee of Remembrance Day ceremonies, stressed the importance of educating younger generations about Canada’s veterans. “If we don’t do this every year, they’ll be forgotten—and they mustn’t be forgotten,” he said.
As Canadians honored their heroes, they echoed a collective commitment to never forget the sacrifices that paved the way for the freedoms they cherish today.
Source : Swifteradio.com