Remembering the Ones Who Fought For Us

On the morning of November 11, 2010, the sky was a little darker, and hearts were a little heavier. People of young and old stood as tall as the pine trees at Vimy Ridge Park at 10:45 am. Veteran Tony Heppner comments, "There seemed to be more attendance last year." Father Captain Mawson led the invocation. There was a warmth of unity in the cold air, the chill cut beneath the skin, as did the message."Lest we forget." The season’s first snowflakes fell like tears, camouflaging real ones on the shivering faces that remember.

Father Mawson spoke of a soldier named Robert Metcalf that we lost a few years back when he died of natural causes at 90. "It’s amazing that he didn’t die at 20," said Mawson. "He was hit in both legs by shrapnel and en route to the hospital, his ambulance came under fire by a German tank. Robert Metcalf is the soldier standing at attention on our ten dollar bill."

An interesting piece of trivia that may have people remembering Metcalf’s sacrifice not just once a year, but next time they spend it on luxury.

Young Royal Winnipeg Rifle cadets fired their rifles three times, as a salute to past and present soldiers. Mittens become earmuffs for bundled-up children but they still remained quiet and watched with intrigue. Veterans stood at attention, as young greenhorn buglers played the last post. A Moment of Silence lingured as did the faint smell of pines trees in the brisk air. Father Mawson read the Act of Remembrance as veterans followed through with the laying of wreaths for the fallen but not forgotton

Craig Riddell remembers hearing stories of his grandfather and how he fought in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Although he never knew him, and lives out in Transcona, he travels down to Vimy Ridge Park to honor him every Remembrance Day and has been doing so, for as long as can remember.

"Whether we knew them or not, it’s important to remember the sacrifices that they made."

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