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Legion members honour war veterans

Between 400 and 500 war veterans where honoured Sept. 9 during the Ponoka Legion’s annual Decoration Day ceremony.
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Members of Ponoka Legion sing during their annual Decoration Day.

Between 400 and 500 war veterans where honoured Sept. 9 during the Ponoka Legion’s annual Decoration Day ceremony.

“We don’t know how many veterans are here,” retired Sgt. Bob Dale said, at the cemetery. “We added a few from last year.”

Small Canadian flags were set on the gravestones of the veterans to honour their sacrifices.

Decoration Day began at sunrise, ended at sunset, and a public ceremony was held at the Forest Home Municipal Cemetery at 2 p.m.

The colours where carried in to mark the beginning of the ceremony, followed by singing, laying of the wreaths, and Chaplain Len Eichler read scripture.

O Canada, I Come to the Garden Alone, Onward Christian Soldiers, and God Save the Queen were sung solemnly in memory of war veterans as well as fallen RCMP officers.

Dale says a grave of a RCMP officer honoured that day is so old the face of the grave has completely worn off.

“We’re just out paying our respects to fallen comrades,” he said.

Decoration Day is held the first Sunday of September each year and is also an opportunity for family to pay respects to the veterans.