(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

happening near sylvan lake

“Opened a lot of eyes”: Flags of Remembrance marks 10 years on Saturday

Sep 6, 2024 | 2:50 PM

This Saturday marks the 10th anniversary of a central Alberta event synonymous with the word meaningful — the Flags of Remembrance, put on by Veterans Voices of Canada (VVC).

The ceremony sees the planting of 128 large flags — one for every thousand Canadians killed or missing in action — along the highway outside Sylvan Lake. That includes military and first responders.

It all starts at 11:15 at Highway 11 and Range Road 12 with a smudging ceremony, blessing, O’Canada and speakers.

At noon, there will be a horseback walk of the flag-line, pipe and drum band, reading the names of the honoured, the ‘Last Post’, and more.

Al Cameron, VVC’s founder, reflects on 10 years of the event.

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“Our servicemen and servicewomen are always at risk. We need to make sure we honour them, because whether it’s military or first responders, these people have served and sacrificed. We need them to know we all care about what they do,” says Cameron, who’s held the event in previous years at multiple sites across the country simultaneously.

“We are all aware about the deployments to and 158 killed in Afghanistan, but let’s think also about the peacekeeping duties and general service fatalities that people don’t hear about as much. That’s why this is important.”

In that vain, VVC opened up a museum at Red Deer’s Parkland Mall last year, and patronage has been steady. Cameron hopes to get a few field trips in from schools now that the new year is underway.

Meantime, there are still about 50 flags that still need a sponsor for this year’s ceremony and the time they stay up (until Nov. 12).

The minimum donation for a plaque to honour a loved one who served in some way is $250. The purchaser receives the plaque and flag when they come down.

Proceeds pay for the plaque, but also services VVC offers throughout the year, such as veteran documentation.

“What Veterans Voices has accomplished is it’s made people more aware right across the country and even the world about the importance of honouring our people,” Cameron adds. “The flags each year have opened a lot of eyes.”

Cameron would still welcome more volunteers for Saturday morning to set up the flags. If interested, contact Al Cameron at 403-358-6313.

If attending the ceremony, there will be traffic control in the area, and Cameron asks all who come out to be safe along the highway. Come early for good seating. All are welcome.

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