Pearl Lorentzen
Lakeside Leader
Remembrance Day services generally follow a set pattern. They start at 10:30, 10:45, or 10:55 a.m. in front of the cenotaph (the tall structure in front of the legion).
These start with the flags being carried in, include a minute of silence at 11 a.m., military music, speeches, and ceremonial laying of the wreaths. People are encouraged to lay their poppies on the wreaths after the ceremony.
Five local communities have Remembrance Day services: Slave Lake, Kinuso, Smith, Flatbush, and Wabasca. All Remembrance Day ceremonies are open to the public.
Slave Lake
The Slave Lake service starts at 10:55 a.m. It is at the cenotaph at the corner of Main St. and 4 Ave, in front of the Slave Lake Legion. The Slave Lake Army Cadets will be flag bearers.
Afterward, the community is invited to a free chili lunch. Northern Lights 4-H will be making and serving the chili.
Kinuso
Kinuso doesn’t have a legion, but the Kinosayo Museum holds a Remembrance Day service. This starts at 10:30 a.m. in front of the museum. After the service, the museum is open and there will be coffee and snacks.
The Kinuso Girl Guides and often the Kinuso Fire Department are involved in planning the event.
Smith
The start of the Smith Legion’s Remembrance Day service will depend on the weather. It will likely start around 10:45 or 10:50 a.m.
If it is really cold it will start at 11 a.m., says Kelly Rogers, Smith Legion president.
After the ceremony, there will be soup and sandwiches in the Legion and the bar will be open for a short time.
The Smith Legion is on Hwy. 2A in the hamlet.
Flatbush
The Flatbush Legion’s ceremony is from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. There is a free lunch afterward. It also holds a Remembrance Day supper, but the ticket sale deadline was Nov. 6.
Wabasca
The M.D. of Opportunity and Bigstone Cree Nation have a joint Remembrance Day service, says Chad Tullis, Opportunity CAO. They take turns hosting. This year, the M.D. is hosting.
The service is at the cenotaph in front of the George D. Auger Community Hall in Wabasca. This is in the same complex as the arena.
The service will start a bit before 11 a.m. (as it will include a moment of silence at 11 a.m.)
After the ceremony, people are invited into the hall for a free lunch.