Members of the public as well as Canadian Service members pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II at a ceremony in Lethbridge, September 19, 2022. (Photo: LNN)

By Drew Stremick

Residents in Lethbridge say farewell to Queen Elizabeth II

Sep 19, 2022 | 4:20 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge residents, including Mayor Blaine Hyggen and dozens of service members, gathered outside of the Yates Memorial Centre on Monday, September 19, 2022, to pay their respects and bid farewell to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Jim Standen is a former recovery mechanic in the British Armed Forces. He says he will miss his former “boss”.

“She was my boss for eight years. I come from a military family. My dad was in the army. He did 22 years. So, I’ve been in the military and surroundings for almost 30 – 35 years,” said Standen. “So, it means a lot. Not only did we lose a boss, but we lost commander in Chiefs of numerous regiments. It’s just a sad loss for everybody.”

Standen shared a memorable moment of seeing the Queen in his youth, which painted a picture of how dedicated the British Armed Forces were to the Monarchy.

“I remember when my dad was in the army, and his regiment having to paint grass, so it was green for a parade she had to come and do,” Standen chuckled. “They literally had to paint the grass green because it was brown. That’s how, the dedication that we, the service industry, has towards the Queen and the Monarchy, and that’s one of my biggest memories of actually seeing the Queen when I was younger.”

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Lethbridge Mayor Hyggen and a Canadian Service Member prepare to lay the wreath to honour Queen Elizabeth II, September 19, 2022. (Photo: LNN)

Mayor Blaine Hyggen paid his respects and assisted in laying the wreath to honour the late monarch. After the ceremony, Hyggen told reporters that he was grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the event.

“Being able to get together and pay respect to the Queen was very heartwarming,” explained Hyggen. “It’s something that is, I’m sure none of us will ever see again. So, it was a very special moment for sure.”

Hyggen wanted to remind Lethbridge residents that today, September 19, 2022, is the final day individuals can write letters of condolences or well wishes to the Royal Family, in the books provided at Lethbridge City Hall and the Lethbridge Provincial Building before the books are sent to Edmonton.

READ MORE: Albertans can offer condolences to the Royal Family at Provincial buildings

A crowd gathered to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II during a ceremony in Lethbridge on Monday, September 19, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

Those gathered for a ceremony in Lethbridge to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II bow their heads during a prayer, September 19, 2022. (Photo: LNN)