For the first time in recollection, Prince George will enact a time-honoured military tradition to recognize those who serve in the Canadian or allied forces.
On Nov. 6 the branches of the military family stationed in the area will gather at the Prince George cemetery for a Church Parade.
Capt. Wally McCue, commander of the Rocky Mountain Rangers cadet corps, spearheaded the idea for this ceremony and found out in the process that it was new to B.C.'s northern capital.
"It was something done in the Canadian military and across the Commonwealth, up into the Second World War era but filtered out after that," he said. "It was a time when the regimental padres would bless the soldiers, the flags, the regimental mascots or what-have-you, or when someone is deployed overseas. You might see Church Parade every week in the British army, once a month in the Canadian army, it differed from place to place, and from time to time."
Invitations to attend as honoured guests have gone out to the families of those who have members who served the military over the years, in times gone by or in current uniform. The combined cadet factions (army, air, sea and navy league groups), Royal Canadian Legion and RCMP are confirmed participants in the ceremonies.
"We are recognizing the people from the community who served their country in military or police service and have been laid to rest in the Prince George cemetery, and it marks the start of Veterans Week leading up to Remembrance Day," said RCMP Staff Sgt. Major Doug Pack.
He added that it was the first time in his career that he knows of the RCMP taking part in this particular ceremony, although they are well ensconced in Remembrance Day and other military-based events.
"We do have a military record, and a regimental history going back to the Northwest Rebellion," he explained. "The federal act that created the Northwest Mounted Police [precursor to the RCMP] predates the act that created the Canadian forces. One of the peculiarities of serving in the mounted police is that connection to the Canadian military. Ultimately this ceremony is a way to pay homage to that history and for ourselves to pay respects to the men and women who serve their country in uniform."
It was explained that Remembrance Day is a time for paying tribute to the sacrifices in war of all Canadians as a whole. The ceremonies on Nov. 6 will focus on the people of this community in particular who were laid to rest in our cemetery.
Legion padre Susan Scott will preside over the ceremony, starting at 10 a.m. There will be a march within the cemetery's grounds, a blessing of the flags, a prayer for the service people both living and passed, some brief words from dignitaries, the placing of poppies on the graves of veterans, and other ceremonial tributes. A luncheon will follow at The Legion.
