Editor
I have participated in or attended every Remembrance Day ceremony since I have moved to Prince Rupert and I go through all the same feelings and emotions each and every time.
I start of by feeling very proud of our Country and Canadians and then I begin to feel a little lump in my throat during Reverie and the minute of silence, but that soon disappears. When the MC starts to list off retail and service businesses it feels just like when a good movie is interrupted by the PBS pledge drive or a very long infomercial; a little misplaced.
I have some suggestions for next year’s ceremony.
Instead of listening to an alphabetical list of local businesses and service groups how about reading a list of the names of the people who fought and died in the war who were from Rupert and area. Organizations who have a direct link to war like the Legions, Ladies Auxiliary, RCMP, Cadets and more can still be commemorated and asked to lay a reef, but I don’t think for profit businesses need to be recognized on this special day.
Also school children could recite in Flanders Field or other thoughts they have put down on paper about what this day means to them. Meanwhile businesses, individuals and other groups could go up two at a time and lay their wreath without waiting for their name to be called.
This day should be about all those heroes who died, fought and assisted in war efforts. Lest we forget, lest we forget.
E. STEVENSON