Cold Lake is set to hold its annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the Energy Centre, hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 211 in partnership with 4 Wing.
Previously held at the Cold Lake Seniors’ Centre, the ceremony has moved to the Energy Centre to accommodate the growing number of residents and veterans gathering to honor Canada’s servicemen and women.
Todd Rorke, President of the Cold Lake Legion, explained that traditions like wearing a poppy and placing wreaths hold deep significance for the Royal Canadian Legion and Canadian culture. “The wearing of a poppy and placing the wreaths are the best way to show that we have remembered the sacrifices our service men and women have made. We need to honour those people, and it’s our mandate of the Legion to ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten,” Rorke said.
Each year, Legion branches across Canada hold Remembrance Day events, adjusted to reflect the unique character of each community. Rorke noted that, while the format may vary from place to place, all ceremonies culminate in the “moment of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th say of the 11th month,” an essential act of remembrance. Cold Lake’s main ceremony, scheduled for 10:45 a.m. at the Energy Centre, invited attendees to arrive by 10:30 a.m. for seating. A smaller observance will also take place at the cenotaph in Cold Lake North.
The Cold Lake Legion is committed to involving younger generations in these commemorations. In addition to inviting the youth to ceremonies, the Legion sponsors poetry and poster contest in schools, encouraging children to reflect on the legacy of Canadian veterans. “Our radio spots encourage parents to bring their children to the ceremonies so they can understand what Remembrance Day is all about” Rorke shared.
Organizing Remembrance Day events has presented unique challenges in recent years, with the Legion facing a shortage of volunteers, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. “People are still a little leery of being out and about. There’s no real way to address this; all we can do is ask,” Rorke said, highlighting the continued need for community support.
The Remembrance Day poppy, a symbol dating back to the aftermath of World War I, holds particular significance to the Legion’s annual Poppy Campaign, which directly supports veterans in need. “The poppy started just after the First World War, by a French humanitarian hoping to help to widows and orphans in France,” Rorke explained. “All donations to the poppy campaign are held in a separate fund and used to help veterans and their families. All funds collected by a community stay in that community.”
The ceremony itself will follow traditional elements, with no new additions planned for this year. Rorke emphasized that the familiar format is part of what makes the ceremony meaningful. “Everyone has come to except what happens on Remembrance Day. We don’t want to disappoint them, so we keep to the same format to avoid confusion or disappointment.”
As Cold Lake gathers once again to honor the sacrifices made by Canadian servicemen and women, Rorke reflected on the enduring significance of these ceremonies. “There’s no real emphasis on any one year. The ceremony itself shows the importance of paying our respects to our military. During the short speeches we mention the sacrifices that our troops have made in the past and the significance of their actions.”
The Cold Lake Legion’s Remembrance Day ceremony promises to be a profound tribute, inviting all members of the community to reflect on the sacrifices that shaped the nation and to honor the memory of those who served.
