Lest We Forget

• Wreaths were laid on crosses of those who were lost
• The poppy turns 100 in 2021

Military ties run deep for Joan Steeves.

Her husband was in the armed forces for 33 years, and she has attended Remembrance Day ceremonies in nearly every Canadian province, the United States and Germany.

The latter is where her mother’s cousin lies.

He was killed in the Second World War at the age of 17. Her family initially didn’t know where he was buried, only receiving a simple notice of his death.

But while stationed in Germany, the family scouted around and eventually found his grave.

“Those cemeteries over there are just absolutely beautiful. There are rows and rows of white crosses,” she told Kelowna10. “When I think of Remembrance Day and the veterans, that’s really what I think about - it’s all those crosses.”

Steeves was one of a few hundred faithful who made their way to Royal Lepage Place for the Westbank Royal Canadian Legion’s first major in-person Remembrance Day service since 2019.

Legion President Anne Fox said it was great to be back, but sad that her father, the usual parade marshal, Chief Warrant Officer George Steeves, wasn’t there. She filled the role in his absence.

“Having his beret on the podium sort of helped me focus, and get ready for the service. I could just look at that hat and know that he was looking down on me.” Fox said.

RCMP and Air Cadets stood in the middle of the ceremony, while veterans and wreath layers sat on the outside.

The sound of bagpipes filled the arena, while flag bearers walked to the front of the service.

People took the podium to speak about remembrance, and one by one, wreaths were laid on the crosses of those who lost their lives.

Ex-merchant navy member, Thomas James Mcluskey, spent 11 years in several theatres, including Northern Ireland, Cyprus, and Vietnam, bringing supplies and provisions to troops. He reflected on how important it is to remember.

“It’s very very important. The people that went out and gave up their youth to fight, and a lot of them never came home. So yes, we should never, never forget them,” Mcluskey said.

Eric Decrop, a long time volunteer, acknowledges that people's sacrifices are what gives us the privileges we have today.

“We should never forget the sacrifices that were made by those who are not with us, and those who still fight nowadays. For this, we have freedom. Let us enjoy this. Let us do well, and be good to each other.”