ValleyBiz Story | On November 11, 2017 a small crowd gathered at the cenotaph in Swan River as wreaths were laid in honor of the fallen.

Following the laying of wreaths, a Remembrance Day service was held at the Veteran’s Community Hall in Swan River.

“We are gathered today to remind ourselves again, that there is a cost to the freedoms, rights and responsibilities that we enjoy today. We remember the sacrifice that is needed to create and maintain a just society. We remember our veterans who, in time of war, refused to allow others to kill the human dream of peace and welfare as a way of life.” said Pastor Bob Lewis, who gave the message.

Pastor Lewis spoke words of inclusion, of staying committed to dignity and respect both with our words and with our actions and of protecting the vulnerable. The challenge that “we must not compromise to any evil” was a phrase used frequently and a central theme of the message.

“Our Canadian Red Dress project and Faceless Dolls project tells our society ‘No More’ when it comes to Missing an Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Our Canadian Pink Shirt day tells our society, ‘No More’ when it comes to bullying. our acknowledgement of #MeToo tells our society ‘No More’ when it comes to sexual harassment and assault of our women and girls and also men and boys.” he said.

“Our veterans taught us to show no compromise to any evil.” said Pastor Lewis, “It is our responsibility to carry the torch they have passed on to us, to not compromise to any evil, any form of violence, intimidation, abuse or disrespect.”