Remembrance Day honoured in Calgary

Calgarians observed Remembrance Day at a number of different ceremonies across the city on Monday, including at the Hangar Flight Museum.

There were eight different events planned for Nov. 11 in the city to remember the end of hostilities during the First World War as well as the sacrifices of all veterans in the Canadian military.

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Brian Desjardins, executive director of the Hangar Flight Museum, hoped the event would convey respect to all of those who serve in Canada's armed forces.

"Thank you for joining us on this special day on Nov. 11," he said.

"I'd like to give thanks to our speakers, our performers and our special guests for coming to our service today."

The service was attended by an estimated 1,000 people and included speeches from several political dignitaries and past members of the Canadian armed forces.

Honorary Col. John E. Melbourne of the RCAF said while many world conflicts are in the past, there is still much uncertainty given current conflicts.

"Not all nations enjoy the peace and security we do in Canada," he said.

"During the past 150 years over 1.5 million Canadians have worn the uniforms of the Canadian forces in conflicts overseas. More than 120,000 have not come home."

Melbourne also spoke of fighting in Ukraine, calling it "a new threat."

"It is likely to persist well into the future," he said.

"As Canadian veterans did in the past, Canada's armed forces carry the torch of freedom around the world and put their lives on the line in far lands and they should be recognized."

• In Pictures: Remembrance Day at the Hangar Flight Museum

Each day this month, veterans and supporters have been gathering at the Field of Crosses on Memorial Drive to honour different sections of Canadian military members.

Other ceremonies included:

• Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (1415 14 Ave. N.W.);
• King's Own Calgary Regiment (137 Battalion Memorial, North Glenmore Park);
• Studio Bell National Music Centre (300-851, 4 St. S.E.);
• The Military Museums (4520 Crowchild Tr. S.W.);
• Canadian Pacific Memorial (CP Memorial Square, 7550 Ogden Dale Rd. S.E.); and
• Calgary Highlanders Remembrance Day parade (Central Memorial Park from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.).

Admission to the museum will be by donation after the ceremony. Donations to the Veterans Association Food Bank are also welcomed.

A veteran's perspective

One of the veterans who attended the Calgary Highlanders Remembrance Day parade was Paul Franklin.

He served 12 years as a combat medic, including two tours—one in Kabul and another in Kandahar.

In 2006, his vehicle was attacked in Kandahar.

"I lost my left leg. My right leg was torn apart," said Franklin.

"It's the worst possible feeling in the world to go through this and then to have your family go through it as well."

One member of his operation died that day; others were also badly wounded.

For Franklin, Remembrance Day is a time of reflection of all those he has served with.

"I've served with, fought with, Canadian, American, Australian, you name it. We got to do some pretty amazing things and, unfortunately, there's (soldiers who) fall across the board and it's difficult," said Franklin.

"I was at my sister's school, and I was looking at all the crosses from the Afghan war, and I pointed out 20 people that I worked with that were close friends."

As battles rage on in Ukraine and the Middle East, Franklin believes peace is something worth fighting for.

"We have to fight sometimes, and then when we do, we have to do it well and do it effectively," said Franklin.

"I want people to drop the division and hate and just start thinking of what we can do as a society together."

(With files from Mason DePatie)