Remembrance Day honours service, courage and sacrifice

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #20 in Taber kicked off its National Poppy Campaign on Oct. 31, which runs right up until Remembrance Day on Nov. 11. Each year, “tens of millions of Canadians wear a poppy as a visual pledge to honour Canada’s veterans and to remember those who sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today,” the Legion says about its annual campaign.

 The Town of Taber’s Veterans Banners program encourages citizens to recognize the veterans who served the country and community in the name of peace. Any Canadian veteran is eligible for sponsorship and the banners are on display from Nov. 1 to 14. About 65 banners are positioned in or adjacent to downtown and a map can be found on the Town’s website.

 The Royal Canadian Legion defines a veteran as “any person who is serving or who has honourably served in the Canadian Armed Forces, the Commonwealth or its wartime allies, or as a Regular Member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or as a Peace Officer in a Special Duty Area or on a Special Duty Operation, or who has served in the Merchant Navy or Ferry Command during wartime.”

 Taber also recognizes Canadian members of the United Nations Peacekeepers as part of the project.

 An annual Veterans Supper will be held at the Legion on Nov. 10 to honour all veterans. Dinner service will be provided by the members of the Taber Police Service, with cocktails served at 5 and supper at 6 p.m. Tickets are available through the Legion Office.

 As is the tradition, the Remembrance Day Service commences at 10:50 a.m. at the Taber Community Centre. The public is asked to arrive early due to limited seating. A Remembrance Social will follow at the Legion Lounge.