On September 11, 1919 the last of Kisbey’s World War I veterans returned to the community. By December of that year he and other returning servicemen had formed a “local” of the Great War Veterans Association and were working to erect a monument to those who had fallen on the battlefields of northern Europe.
One hundred years later Kisbey Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, the successor to the Great War Veterans Association, hosted its annual November 11 Remembrance Day service.
Comrade Nora Weightman chaired the proceedings and Sergeant-at-Arms John Vouture marshalled the parade behind members of the Carlyle RCMP detachment, followed by the Rebekah Lodge colour party, representatives of Carlyle and Kisbey branches of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Royal Canadian Air Cadets Moose Mountain Squadron 723 and Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation.
The roll of honour listing 31 young men from Kisbey and Pheasant Rump who were lost in the two world wars was read and Comrade John Vouture delivered a moving presentation on his participation in the 2019 Royal Canadian Legion “Pilgrimage of Remembrance” to the battlefields and cemeteries of France and Belgium.
Spiritual observance was led by Kevin St. Jean and wreaths were laid on behalf of the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, the Rural Municipality of Brock, the Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation and the Village of Kisbey. The usual order of service was complemented by three young men who laid wreaths on behalf of today’s youth and their ancestors and by Mrs. Olive McArthur who introduced an Indigenous honour song. Additional contributions from local businesses and individuals were acknowledged.
Honoured veterans in attendance were World War II veterans Albert Hale and Clarence Hookenson, James McArthur who served in the Korean War and Viet Nam and United Nations Peacekeeper John Vouture.
