The November 11th holiday of Remembrance Day is recognized by many as the most sombre day in the official calendar.
The sacrifice of life and limb, all in the defence of the freedoms we as Canadians hold dear, is a debt that our society can never truly repay.
It is therefore fitting that such effort and thought goes into the various Remembrance Day services that were held throughout the region.
Held on Nov. 10, due to the 11th being a provincial holiday, White Bear Educational Complex held a touching ceremony, attended by many community members, along with the student body of the school.
Beginning with a prayer by Elder Miriam Littlechief, the ceremony was attended by veterans George Sparvier and James McArthur.
Speaking to the assembly about his experiences as a peacekeeper in the Gaza Strip under United Nations mandate in 1967, Sparvier's address reminded the people that the sacrifices of servicemen and -women extend beyond just the times of war.
"It was like a Third World country there," Sparvier said. "I really learned to appreciate everything we have here in this country, even on the reserves, because I saw the poverty that the people there had to live with."
While speaking of his experiences and ordeals, Sparvier nonetheless made sure to honour those who had fought in the major wars of the past century as well.
"World War One and Two, the people who fought there, those are the real heroes," Sparvier said. "The ones who came home, and the ones who never made it back."
Following the addresses, and a singing of the Flag Song, as well as the Victory Song, a wreath laying took place.
With wreaths for the more than 30 members of the White Bear First Nations community who had seen service with the Canadian armed services, family members and friends placed the wreaths for each serviceman.
Brothers, sisters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all came forward to honour the memory and service of their loved ones and ancestors.
Once the service was complete, the students and attending community members filed out of the school's gymnasium, each in turn shaking hands with and thanking the two veterans in attendance.
The following morning in Carlyle, that community came out in large numbers to commemorate Remembrance Day.
Held in the gym of Carlyle Elementary School, the service was laid out as a United Church service, complete with bible readings, hymns, and a homily by Rev. John Bullas.
More than 120 people took part in the ceremony, with assistance provided for the service by the Carlyle Legion, the Carlyle Scouting movement, the Moose Mountain Air Cadets, and the Carlyle Detachment RCMP.
Also taking part in the service, members of CES's grade three class came to the front of the assembly to sing a song titled, "I Love this Country."
Usually followed by a march to the Carlyle cenotaph, located in front of the Carlyle Sports Arena, the march was called off this year due to the slippery conditions of the roads, and instead vehicles were taken to the cenotaph for the final wreath laying.
Most of the other communities in the area also held ceremonies to mark Remembrance Day.
(NOTE: There are more Remembrance Day photos in the "What's Happening" section of the website.)
