Hundreds of Coldstream residents turned up to remember and give thanks!

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EDITORIAL: Ultimate sacrifice deserves tribute

North Okanagan posted Nov 11, 2016 at 7:00 AM

Throughout the North Okanagan, ceremonies will be held today to pay tribute to those who fought on behalf of Canada in two world wars and other conflicts.

In many cases, those soldiers, sailors and pilots never returned to their parents, spouses or children. Their dreams and potential were lost to the entire nation.

Others came back, but mental and physical injuries created significant challenges for them, as did reintegrating into daily home life after being away for so many years.

Unfortunately, war is still a reality in our world and Canadian soldiers have done their duty in Afghanistan in recent years. That means, that those same issues and challenges faced by our veterans in the Second World War and Korea have been repeated by their modern-day counterparts.

As you go about your daily lives — whether it’s hanging out with your kids, going to work or simply reading this newspaper — consider how your world would be different if those sacrifices hadn’t been made on our behalf.

Value the freedom we have all been given.

One way to do that is to attend a Remembrance Day ceremony today. Gatherings are scheduled for Enderby, Armstrong, Vernon, Coldstream, Lavington, Lumby, Cherryville and Lake Country.

And if you are unable to do that, at least pause at 11 a.m. to consider those who served and those who continue to serve.

Lest we forget.

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Mayor Garlick's Remembrance Day Address

One of the blog readers requested the text of Mayor Garlick's Remembrance Day Address. He agreed to provide the requested Address and it is presented below with thanks.

Remembrance Day Address

Hello and welcome.

On behalf the Coldstream Council and the District of Coldstream, I would like to thank you for taking the time to come out to this ceremony to remember veterans and members of our military forces serving today around the world. I also believe this is a day to reflect on how to avoid such conflicts in the future and to consider the hardship and sorrow war brings to many innocent civilians.

The Vernon Army Camp and this Cenotaph Park are reminders of a long, important history that Coldstream and the North Okanagan played in the First and Second World Wars. We have also had Coldstream residents who were in the Crimean and Boer Wars.

The Coldstream Battle School was an extension of the Vernon Army Camp operations during the Second World War. It was located on the Coldstream Ranch. It is said that 20,000 soldiers were trained in the Battle School in preparation for the invasions of Europe. They trained with live ammunition in the area around Deep Lake and Kal Park. I have had several pictures of soldiers training at this battle school made up to display today at the fire hall.

Originally, this cenotaph was at the intersection of Aberdeen Road and Kalamalka Road. It was moved to the front of the old municipal hall that was connected to the old fire hall here. This gathering place was once the site of a home belonging to a long-time resident, Jackie Nicholson. The property was bought from Mr. Nicholson to provide a library to the community. The library was later moved into the old fire hall next door and the cenotaph found a permanent home here. The District has recently added to this site with the purchase of the WI Hall next door which I hope to include in future Remembrance Day Ceremonies with displays of photos and artifacts from our community.

In closing I would like to thank Yvonne Leduc of the WI for organizing this ceremony, Al Saliga our trumpet player, the choir, and the Coldstream public works employees. 

Thank you all once more for coming out today.

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Rememberance Day Video - A Pittance of Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kX_3y3u5Uo 

 On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a Shoppers Drug Mart store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the store's PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us. Terry was impressed with the store's leadership role in adopting the Legion's "two minutes of silence" initiative. He felt that the store's contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable.

When eleven o'clock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the "two minutes of silence" to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect. Terry's anger towards the father for trying to engage the store's clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was later channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, "A Pittance of Time". Terry later recorded "A Pittance of Time" and included it on his full-length music CD, "The Power of the Dream".
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A Pittance of Time  (lyrics) Written by Terry Kelly Published by Jefter Publishing

Remembrance day ceremonies at both Coldstream and Lavington Cenotaphs is at 10:45 AM.