Local Poppy Officer feels people should need no encouragement to attend
There are many local Remembrance Day ceremonies all over the area that residents have the option to attend on Nov. 11. Selkirk, Grand Marais as well as both East and West St. Paul are hosting events which should make getting out to show our thanks accessible for many this year.
Wayne Bird, the Selkirk Legion’s poppy officer, says that the Remembrance Day ceremony in Selkirk has been taking place for many years. Originally, the ceremony took place at the Veterans Memorial Gardens where the cenotaph is, but many years ago moved into the Selkirk Recreation Complex as it has the ability to host many more people.
“When [residents] come, if they don’t have a poppy, we’ll have cadets outside the doors with poppies and the program. People come in and take their seats wherever they want, in the audience. There are no special seats assigned to anybody. It’s first come first serve [for attendees] but down in the Rec. Complex, that’s where the people that [are part of the ceremony gather.] We form up and bring everybody out there [on the ice when the ceremony starts],” said Bird.
The ceremony includes a Colour Party as well as speeches from local dignitaries, the cadets take part and traditional ceremony music is played.
Bird will be MCing the event.
“[The ceremony is] solemn, because of what we’re trying to remember. And, hopefully, that’ll continue on. Everybody seems to be pretty respectful. Everybody seems to like the program that we put on,” said Bird.
Bird says that this creates a community togetherness because everyone is there to Remember those who have served, are currently serving the armed forces, or have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
The Selkirk Remembrance Day ceremony is an important annual tradition which has continued every year.
“[It’s important] to always keep that in the forefront. So, hopefully, we can make this world what [the veterans] wanted it to be — free and to give everyone peace,” said Bird.
Everyone is welcome to the Remembrance Day ceremony.
“If you don’t remember history, you’re going to repeat it. I think you always have to remember what all these guys went through,” – said Bird
He invites everyone to participate in their local Remembrance Day events.
“I can’t say enough about Selkirk and the [surrounding] communities, they seem to always be involved with us through the Remembrance Day Ceremony, the Poppy Drive, or anything that the Legion does. I can’t say enough about our community,” said Bird.
Selkirk’s Remembrance Day Ceremony will start at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the Selkirk Recreation Complex. Doors will open at 10 a.m.
The Grand Marais Recreation Centre will host a Remembrance Day Ceremony on Nov. 11 starting at 10:30 a.m.
West St. Paul’s Day Service will take place on Nov. 11 at the Access Centre. The ceremony starts at 10:30 a.m. and doors open at 10 a.m.
The Henderson Highway Legion in East St. Paul will be hosting its annual Remembrance Day Service at Eastview Community Church. The event will take place on Nov. 11 and the service will start at 10:50 a.m.
