Lest We Forget: Lethbridge marks Remembrance Day

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Master Bombardier Kingsley Mann said it was heartwarming for the soldiers to see so many people brave the chilly conditions to pay their respects.

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Mann told LNN, “Even on a cold day, it’s heartwarming. It’s nice to see all the people, that they still remember and that’s what we’re all here for, for the day of remembrance.”

He added that military members put in hours of practice for the event, noting that, “it’s an honour for all the troops to come out.”

The 20th Independent Field Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA) organized the Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph on downtown Lethbridge, November 11, 2022. (Photo: J. Goulet – LNN)

Corporal Jared Beler said it makes him very proud to see Canadians recognize Remembrance Day.

Beler remarked, “I think, in comparison to the United States, military culture in Canada is a lot less intertwined, so seeing us collectively come together on this day is still inspiring.”

Beler is a member of the Calgary Highlanders, but grew up attending the cenotaph ceremonies in Lethbridge. He could not recall seeing as large of a turnout as he saw Friday.

Beler told LNN Remembrance Day is a time to reflect.

He said, “It’s very easy for history to become statistics, right?”

Beler continued, “But when you actually look at the names on the cenotaph, you go through the specific histories of the battles and the specific casualties that occurred in relatively short periods of time, it’s a lot more personal as opposed to just hearing numbers over and over again. It took me a long time until I got older to realize the extent of what this day means.”

NEW TO CANADA

Second Lieutenant Joel Mensah said he is new to Canada. Originally from Ghana, West Africa, he gained his Canadian citizenship in 2017 before applying to join the military in 2018.

Mensah said, “I felt like joining the military would be the best way to learn about Canada and to contribute my part.”

He added, “Learning about all the other minorities that fought and pushed to be part of the war, World War I and [World War] II, I felt like me, being a part of this, is me also contributing to the memory of those soldiers that served.”

Mensah continued, “It’s been a great experience for myself being in the Canadian Armed Forces. I have learned a lot. It’s a very great family to be a part of.”

He said there are “very few countries like Canada”.

“I think it just goes to show how much work soldiers have put into making Canada what it is.”

Multiple poppies seen on the cenotaph in Lethbridge following the Remembrance Day ceremony, November 11, 2022. (Photo: J. Goulet – LNN)

Mensah said, “The fight for freedom and the liberties we enjoy in Canada are a very important thing that shouldn’t be taken for granted, so I’m just grateful for what the soldiers went through, what they put their families through and what they put themselves through.”

He thanked all community members that attended the ceremony, adding, “It’s important that we keep the memory of people who laid their lives down, alive.”

A second ceremony also took place in Lethbridge on Friday at Exhibition Park.

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