Snowstorm Sends Remembrance Day Observance Indoors

In past years the Yellowhead Hall with its capacity of several hundred people has been used for Remembrance Day services but in light of COVID-19, a smaller service was planned this year in front of the County Court House. This worked well for the town last year, even allowing the street in front of the court house to be used to facilitate social distancing for attendees.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other ideas and the first big winter storm struck the area on the 10th, carrying on right through to the weekend.

A backup plan was enacted and a condensed service and ceremony took place inside the nearby Legion Hall. Because proof of vaccination is required to use the Legion Hall under current provincial health orders, this allowed the facility to be used at full capacity. It was still a tight fit for the colour guard, but the importance of the event motivated the participants to make it work.

A planned presentation which was to have taken place following the ceremony had to be cancelled completely due to the inclement weather and related travel difficulties.

Reverend Chad McCharles of the Neepawa United-Anglican Shared Ministry, Branch Padre, led the service, and Bruce Bremner represented the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #23.

Following the service, members of the local chapter of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets braved the storm to pay their respects at the cenotaph at the County Court House, laying a wreath and learning about the sacrifices that local people made in wartime.