СÀ¶ÊÓƵ

UNITY—The week leading up to Nov. 11 was a busy one for Legion members in Unity, Wilkie and Macklin.

As per tradition, members of the Legion were welcomed to the schools in the three communities, taking part in the services put on by staff and students. This is also when the Legion announces the winners of the local poster and literary contests for each school, which then continue to district judging.

“It is always great to be invited to the schools each year, sharing the message of remembrance with the younger generations,” said Royal Canadian Legion Unity Branch No. 90 president Lorne Kohlman during the Unity Public School service on Nov. 7.

The Unity branch is an amalgamation of members from Unity and Macklin, as Macklin’s branch closed 20 years ago. Since then, the members who hailed from the closed branch continue to host a Remembrance Day service in the community.

In Unity, the service was held at the St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church. This year, those who attended were treated to trumpeter Benjamin Lavallee, grandson of Helena Long and John Gottschalk, playing The Last Post and the Reveille. Marching with the legion was also Dylan Neil, son of Ken Neil, who is stationed at Cold Lake with the Canadian Air Force. Later at the Legion Hall, Neil played his bagpipes for those who attended.

In true military fashion, Corporal James Quiring ‘paid the piper’ with a shot of scotch.

“In the town of Hamelin, a piper was hired to rid the town of rats. However, if the piper was not paid, he would steal the children,” said Quiring prior to payment СÀ¶ÊÓƵ made.

Although the events of Remembrance Day are over, the members of the legion will continue to remember those who served and continue to serve our country.