Memories shared and messages of peace heard during the Battlefords’ Remembrance Day services

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‘If I had stayed longer, she’d be alive.”

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Along with all the difficult times he endured, he said the moment he learned that his replacement had been killed is a memory that has never left his mind.

Having to witness his teammates and other promising young individuals suffer serious injuries or lose their lives. This often led him to question his worth, thinking, “Why him? Why her? Why not me?”

“No, it’s a really hard feeling to know that you made it and they didn’t,” he stated. “If you get shot, you get stitches, and you’re fine, but the injuries in your head, they remain there for the rest of your life.”

(Caption : Byron Rodriguez had spent around three decades in the Forces. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW)

Despite the cruel twists life had thrown at him, he found solace in knowing that his efforts were helping others, a purpose that kept him going. He served in Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009 as the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) crew commander, an elite military unit tasked with responding to emergencies and supporting allied units in need.

“We take care of not only our own men, not only the soldiers but also the civilians. And that’s a really nice feeling. Not only that, but I had the opportunity to do, you can call them deployments in Canada. Wherever there was a flood or the ice storm, we were deployed to help the people that were suffering,” he shared.

The service took place at Don Ross centre. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW)

After decades of dedicated service, Rodriguez received multiple medals for his achievements, including the Sacrifice Medal for combat wounds, the Afghanistan Medal with two bars for his deployments, the Canadian Forces’ Decoration and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Looking ahead, Rodriguez is aware that wars continue to devastate countless lives. He hopes world leaders will recognize the importance of communication and peace, believing violence is futile.

“Because you said something, now we’re going to start a war. It’s crazy. No, people should get more sensitive to see the reality because killing is not everything, and War is not everything,” Rodriguez noted.

To pay tribute to the fallen veterans who couldn’t attend the service, Legion 70 has set up a table at the after-service luncheon to remind attendees of their services.

(Caption: The table is set to remind everyone to not forget the fallen veterans. ( Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

Comrade Candice Brown of Legion 70 shares a poignant interpretation of the small table; for example, a single red rose is placed at the corner, signifying the bloodshed and sacrifice, and the accompanying red ribbon stands for the determination of those who remain, urging everyone never to forget their contributions.

“Let us remember them and never forget their sacrifices; may god forever watch over them and protect them and their families,” Brown added.

Battleford

Taking to the lectern in the gymnasium at St. Vital Catholic School, Paula Kulyk, President of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 9 welcomed all.

“Each year on November 11, we as Canadians pause in silence to remember and honour the men and women that have served and are currently serving and will serve in the future,” she said.

From left: Piper Jim Ramsey, Trumpeter Mike Reid and Padre Joyce Salie during the playing of The Lament.” (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“Through times of peace, conflict and war.”

Among the audience were the members of the 43 Air Cadets, some of whom had never taken part in a Remembrance Day service.

“It was a really good experience, it was different, it was more immersive than I’ve usually done,” said Zakir Daredia, 12.

“There was a lot more people here and it was enjoyable.”

Veterans sit during the laying of wreaths. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The service was a traditional one with singing of hymns, playing of “The Last Post,” “The Lament” and “The Reveille” along with the laying of the wreaths, listening to prayer and the reading of John McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields” – the latter of which was read by Daredia.

For twelve-year-old Cpl. Ivan Yaniuk, this was his second service that he got to take an active role in.

“The first one was with the Scouts because I did Scouts before this,” he said.

12-year-old Cpl. Ivan Yaniuk salutes the wreaths. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“This one was different because I feel like I have more authority over other people.”

When asked by battlefordsNOW about what lessons people can take away from the day continuing on year after year, Yaniuk said he hoped that the overall message of peace will prevail.

RCMP members take part in the Remembrance Day service in Meadow Lake. (Submitted Photo)

Peace was the overarching theme of the day with “A Candle – Lighting Litany” in which Padre Joyce Salie lit seven candles and offered a remembrance of prayer for each one.

“We light the first candle to remember all those men and women who died in the service of our nation in times of war, on peacekeeping missions and in conflicts in other countries,” she said.

“And, in the going down of the sun and in the morning,” Salie prompted.

“We will remember them,” came the response from the audience.

cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com