Skip to content

Sunshine Coast honours the war dead

Ceremonies were held across the Sunshine Coast on Monday for Remembrance Day. Hundreds attended the Sechelt ceremony, held at the cenotaph at the intersection of Cowrie Street and the Sunshine Coast Highway.
remembrance
Wreaths are laid at the cenotaph in Sechelt Nov. 11. The day was observed at four ceremonies on the Coast.

Ceremonies were held across the Sunshine Coast on Monday for Remembrance Day.

Hundreds attended the Sechelt ceremony, held at the cenotaph at the intersection of Cowrie Street and the Sunshine Coast Highway.

Local dignitaries and politicians laid wreaths, including Sechelt Mayor Darnelda Siegers, shíshálh Nation Coun. Keith Julius, Sunshine Coast Regional District chair Lori Pratt, and School District No. 46 Board trustee Amanda Amaral.

Silver Cross Mother Denise Schouler laid a wreath, as did Jean Langen, 100, who during the Second World War worked at the Canadian Car and Foundry in Thunder Bay along with thousands of other women. Together they built Hawker Hurricane fighter planes and Curtiss Helldiver bombers.

During the ceremony, St. Hilda’s Anglican Church deacon Bruce Morris gave a short sermon, reminding the audience of the duty to act honourably out of respect for veterans. “I believe Remembrance Day is all about how we give our best, anyway,” Morris said.

“By saying thank you, and choosing to be inspired by the sacrifices made by others for our collective benefit. By deciding to ensure the seeds of war will never be sewn because of what we do or believe. By committing ourselves to become instruments of principled peace, that will benefit this world, long after we ourselves are gone. Let us give our best, anyway.”

Hundreds also turned out in Gibsons where wreaths were laid at the cenotaph at Legion Branch 109. As part of the ceremony, a bugler played the Last Post, a piper played Reveille, Pastor Jaz Ghag gave a sermon, and the March of the Colours and parade took place. Veteran Brian Sadler laid a wreath on behalf of newly-elected Liberal MP Patrick Weiler.

Approximately 200 people attended the ceremony at the cenotaph in front of the Roberts Creek Legion. Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons laid a wreath on behalf of the province.

In Pender Harbour, close to 300 people gathered at the Legion cenotaph to pay their respects. Sunshine Coast Regional District director Leonard Lee was among those who laid a wreath and remarks were given by retired RCMP chaplain Andrew Barker.

See more photos from the Remembrance Day ceremonies at all four Royal Canadian Legions on the Sunshine Coast in our online galleries at www.coastreporter.net/photos-videos