Remembrance Day 2023: Calgary remembers Canada's fallen at Field of Crosses | FULL

[Music] good morning I'm Blake law thank you for joining us on this Remembrance Day in just a few minutes we will take you live to the field of cross's Remembrance Day ceremony each year several thousand people gather at the memorial to remember the lives lost in battle the field of crosses was created in 2009 by businessman and philanthropist Murray mccan he brought the idea back to Calgary after seeing a similar tribute in the city of meno Georgia while on a visit McAn along with his longtime friend George bitman Who at that time headed up the Calgary poppy fund they teamed up to make it a reality in Calgary the display comes together each November thanks to the hard work of hundreds of volunteers more than 3600 crosses are put up along Memorial Drive to pay tribute to the thousands who died defending our freedom each cross is cleaned the bases are installed and then the crosses go up for the first 10 years Murray mccan paid for the display himself before gifting it to the public it's now a registered charity overseen by an independent board of directors it relies solely on support from the community now I spoke with Murray earlier about his passion for this project M you've been doing this a long time now do you still get the same feelings walking in the field of crosses you know row upon row as you did when you started this in the beginning oh I most certainly do and anybody walking those crosses will get that feeling all those names and young man old man and women uh that gave up their lives for what I have and what we have and you look across the river at that great city called Calgary where you can be anything you want to be and then you see the price that was paid it's very emotional even as this has been held for close to 15 years I mean the field of crosses continues to evolve uh we continue to learn more about these Heroes and all these different stories I mean how important is that that's very important that we never forget and uh the real stories unfortunately there isn't one happy story in the field but of families affected uh in at a time you widows left at a time when women didn't work and it's it's just so much uh feeling that you get there and if you stop at a cross and read the information that's on it honestly it'll talk to you when you see what the field of crosses has become uh from where you started to where it is now I mean how does that make you feel what what what do you think about there well I am very happy that uh Southern albertans have uh accepted the field it it now as you know uh is public uh is uh owned if I might say uh by the public and uh they've just really uh accepted it then the volunteers we have wow this is a great City and the field of crosses shows how great it is and it's such a huge part of our community and we have you to thank for that Marie mccan thanks so much for this okay but it's not thank Marie mccan it's all of those that make this possible absolutely thank you the field of cross's Memorial project is a 5 acre display that people are invited to walk through from November 1st to November 11th each cross is inscribed with the name rank regiment date of death and age at death death of a Southern Alberta Soldier killed in action many have additional information about the person for visitors to read a poppy and a flag are also placed at each cross in a separate section of the memorial there are 120 other unique crosses for viewing a special honor to the 120,000 heroes from across Canada who lost their lives fighting for our country sunrise and sunset ceremonies are held each day a moving flag raising ceremony with invited groups paying further tribute to our fallen now the park is lit 24/7 and on the eve of Remembrance Day those who fought for our freedom are also honored with a Night of Lights at Sunset last night volunteers including students from St Mary's University lit candles inside lanterns in front of each of the crosses the lanterns were left to burn until sunrise this morning a very touching and beautiful way to pay tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice let's go now live to the field of crosses the Calgary Fire Department pipes and drums begin this morning's ceremony with the traditional parade March the pipes and drums have been around since the turn of the century members are professional firefighters and employees of the Calgary Fire Department they travel all throughout West western Canada taking part in charitable charitable events and Memorial services our own Linda Olen will guide us through this year's field of cross's observance as Calgary remembers let's watch [Music] hoay standard I turn [Music] [Applause] [Music] ch [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] all right stand east good morning everyone my name is Linda Olen with global news it is my honor to be the MC for today's Remembrance Day ceremony here at the field of crosses in Calgary it is here at the field that over 3500 crosses stand each year to memorialize individuals from Southern Alberta who made the ultimate sacrifice during active duty in service to Canada during times of War conflict and peace on Remembrance Day Canadians pause to honor and give thanks for those of every generation who have served Canada at Sea on land and in the air in this year marking the 80th anniversary of the Italian campaign and the Battle of ortona we pay special tribute to those who demonstrated the strength determination and will that was necessary NE to face the hardships of that campaign many Canadians today have no personal experience of war war is something that happened somewhere else in a land far away our Canadian belief in Freedom and fundamental human rights for all people is a part of our everyday life we can be proud that Canadians continue to help defend these rights at home and around the world as we learn about Canadians past and present who have served in the cause of Peace and Freedom We Gather to honor and never forget the sacrifice of many We Gather on the land known as Moines where the boow river meets the Elbow River this is the traditional territory of many First Nations who make their home on this land and who make up the peoples of the treaty 7 region in southern Alberta this includes the nitp or Blackfoot people the gy bani Sika and the sutina people and the eah nakota people which includes the bepa the chiniki and Wesley First Nations the City of Calgary is also home to the matey nation of Alberta Region 3 the field of crosses honors the significant contribution of many First Nation service members who are commemorative ated here in the field and acknowledge their service and sacrifice canari Children's Choir under the direction of Katherine Glazer kimy will lead us in the singing of our national [Music] anthem [Music] oh our home and na land true P all command with cling Hearts we see be the true strong and free from far and wide Oh Canada we stand on guard for thee go keep our [Music] glor all we stand on [Music] God oh we stand [Music] on Katherine Glazer kimy the artistic director of the field of crosses will offer a blessing for all those who served I invite all of you wishing to join me based on your own personal beliefs to turn to the hearts of the Divine being of your faith or to take this moment for personal reflection we ask a blessing on all all those in uniform who serve our country Canada protect them as they have protected and continue to protect us we ask a special blessing on those who have died in the line of duty Comfort the families and friends who mourn their loss heal the wounds of Body Mind and Spirit experienced by those who serve bless them and their families for the selfless acts of courage and sacrifice for our nation and oppressed peoples around the world the horrors of the first world war released a great Outburst of emotional poetry from the soldiers who fought in it one of the most well-known poems was written by Canadian medic Dr John McCrae in epre Belgium in May 1915 in response to the death of mccrae's close friend killed in battle Murray mccan founder of the field of cross will recite in Flanders Fields in Flanders Fields the poppies blow between the crosses row on row that Mark our place and in the sky the Larks still bravely singing fly scarce heard Amed the guns below we are the dead short days ago we lived felt Dawn saw Sunset glow loved and were loved and now we lie in Flanders Fields take with the F to you from failing hands we throw the torch be yours to hold it high if ye lose Faith with us who die we shall not sleep deep though poppies grow on Flanders Fields courage determination sacrifice perseverance all are words that describe those who pledge to serve their country in uniform these ideals were eloquently expressed in text by Sir cesil spring rice and set to music by Gustaf Hol canari Children's Choir will sing I vow to thee my country cards that identify important battles in Canada's proud history of service will be [Music] displayed to the my country all Earthly things above and all [Music] perfice of my love the love that has the T upon the the best the love that FS the love that P the that makes the final [Music] sa across the sea across the W of water she calls and calls to me her sword ised at her her on [Music] and the battle the Thunder of her God I to my [Music] mother the has [Music] and my [Music] spirit hum fail systems fail Shadows the RO deep C by the blood of fa [Music] and [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] the your you restore your soul [Music] the country that I hold out your arm to me I strive for you give you the best I hope to [Music] be your compassion be our May with mercy your the country that I love [Music] forever and when time my hold your [Applause] dream my home be my my home oh god [Music] oh oh [Music] English poet Lawrence bignan was deeply troubled by the enormous casualties suffered by the British expeditionary forces in 1914 too old to enlist in the armed forces he volunteered as an orderly at a hospital for soldiers and wrote about his experiences his most famous work for the Fallen contains the now well-known words which form the act of remembrance Shelby Lake from canari Children's Choir will present for the Fallen for the Fallen by Robert Lawrence bignan with proud Thanksgiving a mother for her children England Mourns her dead across the sea flesh of her flesh they were Spirit of her spirit fallen in the cause of the fruit solemn the drums thrill d o dust and Royal sings sorrow up into Immortal spheres there is music amidst of desolation and a glory that shines Upon Our tears they went with songs to battle they were young straight of limb true of eye steady and a glow they were staunch to the end against odds and count counted they fell with their faces to the foe they shall grow not old as we who are left grow old age shall not weary them nor the years condemn at the going down of the Sun and in the morning we will remember them they mingle not with their laughing comrades again they sit no more at familiar tables of home they have no lot in our labor of the daytime they sleep Beyond England's foam but where our desires are and our hopes profound felt as a Well Spring that is hidden from sight to the innermost heart of their own land they are known as stars that are known to the night as the stars that shall be bright when we are dust moving in marches upon the Heavenly plain as the Stars that are Starry in the time of our Darkness to the end to the end they remain Commander Andreas paski commanding officer of hmcs to come say will lead us in the act of remembrance followed by the commitment to remember presented by canari choir they shall not grow old as we that are left grow old age shall not weary them nor the years condemn at the going down of the Sun and in the morning we will remember them will them on all oceans White Caps flow but there are no crosses row on row but they who sleep beneath the Seas rest in peace for our land is free we will remember them we will remember them they were young as we are young they sered giving freely of themselves to them we pledge amid the WT of time to carry their and never forget we will remember them we will remember them the Second World War began in 1939 soon most of Europe was under German control in 1941 Germany invaded the Soviet Union and vicious fighting broke out on the Eastern front by 1943 the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin asked for help from the other other Allied Leaders to ease the pressure of this attack attack the Allies agreed to help and decided to use Italy which was aligned with Germany as a platform to attack enemy territory in Europe and help divert German resources from the Eastern Front this effort became known as the Italian campaign the Italian campaign was an important military effort for Canada during the war Canadians along with their allies from Great Britain France and the United States played a vital role as they pushed from the south to the north of Italy over a 20-month period Canadians faced difficult battles against some of the German Army's best troops they fought in the dust and The Heat Of Summer the snow and the cold of winter and the rain and the mud of the spring and fall and as we prepare for our 2 minutes of silence our bugler Master sailor Jordan Shepard will sound the last post during the silence we will remember the nearly 120,000 Canadians who fell serving this great country and especially the 3500 Southern albertans who are remembered in the field of crosses Piper Brian nie will play the traditional lament flowers of the forest which is followed by rout parade chugler last [Music] post [Music] [Music] a [Music] PA for d [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] the [Music] [Applause] [Music] nler grast [Music] stand the Italian campaign began with the Allied Landings on the island of Sicily in the south of Italy codenamed operation husky Canadian so soldiers had an active and important role this was a difficult task just getting men and equipment to the region was dangerous three ships carrying Canadian troops from Great Britain to Sicily for the attack were sunk in late June 1943 58 Canadians drowned and 500 vehicles and much equipment were lost the operation began in the early morning of July 10th when Canadian and British troops went ashore along a 60 kilomet stretch of Coastline near the southern tip of Sicily the Americans who also attacked that morning covered another 60 kilometers of the Sicilian Coast the assault was one of the largest Seaborn operations in military history involving nearly 3,000 Allied ships and landing craft the fight would last more than four weeks during which Canadians would battle through through hundreds of kilometers and difficult mountainous country and suffer more than 1300 Canadian casualties almost 600 of which were fatal taking Sicily was important it helped secure the Mediterranean Sea for the Allied Shipping and contributed to the downfall of Italian dictator Benito musolini the fall of Sicily cleared the way for the Allies Next Step Landing in mainland Italy the soldiers in our rooll call are those who sacrificed their lives at the Battle of Artona as part of the Italian campaign in December 1943 and those of Japanese Canadian ancestry who died at vimi Ridge in [Music] 1917 Gunner Ray Adamson 37 Corporal Leo wine Renee Chanel 28 Captain John James coatsworth 43 sapper Ralph Joseph Collins 28 private Preston Warner Durant 28 private Sigman Richard gutra 34 private Richard Boyce hat 32 private William Duncan kerfoot 29 Private John Harper McLoud 19 Lance corporal George Edmund patau 23 private Robert Stewart Patrick 24 private Ronald Fred schroer 20 major Thomas Cullen Brown Vance 30 private Gordon yellow fly [Music] 24 the guns are silent after your WS have healed after those crosses they planted in all those spe [Music] after the way the and after this train carries me will love you the love you [Music] for [Applause] [Music] forever for always and more killed at vimi Ridge private akiyama Ki sauro 43 private assada naboru 23 private banichi 35 private Hara shinichi 32 private harata kazuo 28 private Kojima iichi 38 private kongi hikaro 32 private masub yashi Ciro private matsumura toraki 31 private magita kogi [Music] 35 along with the to car [Music] on after I remember all the words I couldn't say and after will love you the I will love you for [Music] for oh we love you the forever for [Music] and also killed at vimi Ridge private Nakamura toichi 30 private Narita hiiri 29 private Nido Goro private omasa curo 39 private Otani masaki 38 private sat tokui 37 private Sugi Moto kichi Matsu 32 private sugani heichi 29 private Uchi Nashi tokusa 31 one up from off your chest and after your soul takes it final rest my love forgive you you never PL to die and I will place two pennies for your [Applause] heart will love [Music] [Applause] [Music] you will love you the Lord forever forever for always always and [Music] more wreaths will be laid in honor of those who gave the Supreme sacrifice today wreaths will be laid on behalf of the following Canada province of Alberta City of Calgary Memorial cross parents Royal Canadian Air Force Royal Canadian Navy Canadian Army Royal Canadian Mounted Police Alberta Health Services EMS Calgary Police Service Calgary fire field of crosses eay third unit Canadian army veterans the bitman family and Carol and Murray mccan as the wreaths are laid canari Children's Choir will sing we remember them by composing Susan [Music] labar the bless of the sky and the war the summer as the opening of the in reth of spring at the rising of the Sun and at it's going down we remember them we remember [Music] them as the blowing of the wind and in the chill of Winter the of thees and beauty of as the start of the year and it hands we remember them we [Music] remember live they are heart of they are heart of they will live as long as we live we [Music] remember when we are we need of strength when we are lost and sick at heart when we are join we CRA to share we remember them we remember them [Music] [Applause] we [Music] live heart heart will as long as as we live we remember when we are [Music] we and we are lost in sh of part [Music] of [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] heart we live as long as we live we [Music] [Music] remember God we live [Laughter] [Music] we as as [Laughter] we we [Music] remember let us All Join Now canari Children's Choir in the singing of the royal Anthem God Save the [Music] [Applause] [Music] King God save our gracious King long live our no King God save my king save glor happy and glorious to us go [Music] SA all right stand to conclude the formal part of our Remembrance Day program we invite the choir rev 52 under the direction of John Morgan to sing when the lights go on again this song was number one on the charts in 1943 as the world longed for the end to the blackout restrictions imposed during the second world war it lift lifted the spirits of those who were struggling and gave people a sense of hope join in the chorus if you know the words the Calgary Fire Department pipes and drums will play another tune to put us all in the marching spirit and you're asked to remain in your place until the pipes and drums have finished playing and our uniformed Personnel have been dismissed thank you for being part of the field of cross's Remembrance Day ceremony [Music] when we have our Victory and it's added to our history it will be right there to see how clean and simple life can be when the lights go on again all over the [Music] world and the boys are home again all over the world and rain and snow is all that may fall from the skies above I kiss won be goodbye but hello to love to love when the lights go on again all over the world and the ships will s again all over the world and we'll have time likeing rings and free Hearts will sing when the lights go on again all over the [Music] world world the on again all over the world world and the boys are home again all over the world can rain or snow is all that will fall from the skies above the K be goodbye but hello to love and the lights on again all over the world all over the world and the ships will sail again all over the world and we'll have time for things like weding rings and free Hearts will see when the lights go on again all over the world all over [Music] wa ready [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] one [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] another powerful Ceremony this morning to Mark Remembrance Day in our city now it's all to make sure Canadians and calgarians never forget and that includes the Next Generation this year hundreds of Calgary students took part in a new program at the field of crosses called hot chocolate at the crosses as Michael King shows us it was a chance for young calgarians to learn more about those who paid the ultimate sacrifice I can't imagine like going overseas like just to f fight and like being away from my family and like not even knowing if I'll see them ever again but that was the reality for so many of the 3500 Southern albertans honored here at the field of crosses including the Anderson Brothers from Craig mile just Northeast of drumer all three were killed in World War II their mother was recognized with the Silver Cross and the family story resonated with students taking part in a new educational program well one of the people that we learned about um they were all Brothers all three of them and they all passed away and so their mom would um so two of their bodies were found one of them wasn't found and um so the mom would just set the plate um for dinner every day just thinking maybe he would come home but he never did so we will remember them we will remember them the new hot chocolate at the cross's initiative is a part parnership with the field of crosses in Valor Canada a Calgary based nonprofit which let students handle artifacts of those who fought overseas you can try this un helmet on the act of putting on a helmet or leafing through a handbook tends to make the stories of those on the front lines more real seeing kids uh being able to pick up things try them on uh is is important because it gives them a sense of what uh our military uh uh have done and what they've gone through in the past the students also get a guided tour of the field of crosses while the number of lives lost can be overwhelming it's the individual stories like the Anderson that leave an impact we need our youth and the Next Generation to tell the story and perpetuate what has gone on here and what these 3700 crosses represent I think hearing the stories of the soldiers that are remembered here does help them make a personal connection to those people that have given those sacrifices for us a personal connection that those involved hope will last for Generations Michael King Global News and that concludes our special broadcast of Calgary remembers live from the field of crosses we hope you take today to remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice my name is Blake law for Linda Olen and for the entire Global News team thank you so much for watching

Channel: Global News

Views: 18,980

Keywords: global news, global calgary, calgary, remembrance day, calgary remembrance day, remembrance day calgary, field of crosses calgary, calgary field of crosses, remembrance day services live, calgary remembrance day services live, calgary remembrance day ceremonies 2023, remembrance day 2023, remembrance day canada, veterans, canadian veterans, veterans canada, canadian armed forces, canada armed forces, canada army, canada military, canada navy, remembrance day in canada

Id: p9TcYYVJcFw

Length: 58min 20sec (3500 seconds)

Published: Sat Nov 11 2023