Remembrance Day in Regina this year was marked with the first snowfall of the winter season. 

Blowing snow and freezing rain were not a concern for the hundreds of participants at the Regina Legion’s outdoor ceremony.

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 001 has a tradition of holding its annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the Victoria Park cenotaph in downtown Regina. 

The pandemic limited the number of people allowed to attend last years ceremony, with most people encouraged to watch virtually.

No gathering size restrictions this year allowed participants to gather once again with social distancing efforts and required masks.

After the snowfall, main roads such as Victoria Ave. and Ring Road had not been cleared yet when cars streamed into the downtown area.

Organizers of the event were overwhelmed by the community’s show of support.

“It was heartening to see that this still matters and it means something to people,” said Reverend James Balfour, a retired Royal Canadian Naval Reserve Lieutenant.

Vice-President of the Navy League of Canada, Gordon Basaraba, said he was impressed with how many people attended.

“What I’d like to see people take away from the ceremony is that they remember the sacrifices that were made by people,” said Basaraba. “So they can have the freedoms that they have.”

One Regina resident, Mary Libesey, said she has yet to miss a year of attending the Legion’s Remembrance Day ceremonies.

“It’s just part of me,” said Libesey.

Representatives from the Army, Airforce, Navy, RCMP and Regina Rifles made up the Cenotaph Guard. They began the ceremony with a flag march. 

After O Canada had been sung and The Last Post was played, Balfour gave the opening and closing prayers.

Balfour said in his reflection, “Walls can divide and protect. Peace can be shared and withheld.”

“We remember past and present conflicts,” said Balfour, referring to the struggle of the pandemic in his speech.

He thanked the nurses that were present at the ceremony for their service to our healthcare system during a time of crisis. He compared their dedication to those that take an oath in the military.

“Serve Canada before self,” said Balfour.

Balfour and Basaraba both had family members that served overseas. 

Balfour remembers his grandfather who fought in World War I by carrying a gold pocket-watch that belonged to him. Basaraba says his uncle, who has since passed, served in the Korean War.

Both men feel that Rememberance Day is important in order to keep their loved ones’ legacy alive and their sacrifices in mind.

The ceremony continued with the laying of wreaths on the cenotaph. 

Among the community leaders who laid a wreath were Regina mayor Sandra Masters and University of Regina President and Vice Chancellor, Dr. Jeff Keshen.

God Save the Queen was sung and the cenotaph guard representatives marched out to signal the end of the ceremony.

While some hurried away to escape the cold, many residents stayed to pay personal respects after the ceremony.