It was a fitting ceremony to be held on June 6.
Two plaques were unveilled at Midale Central School that afternoon, containing the names of people from the Midale, Macoun and Halbrite areas, as well as the rural municipality of Cymri, who served their country during the First World War, the Second World War, in other combat missions or in peacekeeping operations.
Also on display were a pair of honour rolls, which paid tribute to people from the Midale area who served with the Canadian Forces. Those honour rolls had been stored by the Souris Valley Antique Association.
One of the honour rolls, which belonged to the Midale branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, will be displayed with the two plaques at Midale Central School. The other honour roll will be at Midale鈥檚 Moser Museum, with a copy on display at the school.
The dedication occurred on the 73rd anniversary of the Normandy invasion. On June 6, 1944, Allied Forces stormed the beach at Normandy in what is widely regarded as the turning point of the Second World War.
The effort to have the plaques restored was led by Midale residents John New and David Piper. New said the project was Piper鈥檚 idea. Several people dedicated many hours to researching the project, he said, and they also had some people work on the artistic side of the plaques to ensure they looked good.
鈥淒avid Piper was the one who decided that as the Midale legion had closed down, and there were so many people here who somehow, more or less been forgotten, that 鈥� it was about time they probably weren鈥檛 forgotten, and he decided to do something about restoring the history,鈥� said New.
More than 340 names are enshrined on the plaques. One plaque is filled with 180 names, and another has 163 names, and room to add a few more of those who serve in the future.
鈥淲e sent the entire list of names out, asking if anyone else should be remembered,鈥� said New.
Since that time, they have found one more name that should be added, New said.
He was pleased the project was completed for the 73rd anniversary of D-Day.
鈥淚 really wanted this to be something special, with all of the uniforms, the colour party marching in and the reference to D-Day,鈥� said New.
New is also excited the plaques and honour rolls will be hanging in the school. There were other options to house the plaques, but the school was the best option.
The ceremony was well attended, with the school鈥檚 students, Legion representatives and members of the community present. Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Greg Lawrence, a former Estevan resident who is now the Saskatchewan government鈥檚 military liaison, was in attendance.
Lawrence noted he served as a lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Air Force reserve, and instructed at the Snowbird Air Cadet Squadron, serving as their deputy commanding officer.
鈥淚 witnessed first-hand the dedication and selflessness of the Canadian military men and women, and I can assure you the legacy of bravery and love and freedom entrusted to us the veterans we honour today is alive and well in the Canadian Armed Forces,鈥� said Lawrence. 聽
This year is Canada鈥檚 150th birthday, and Lawrence said it鈥檚 important to celebrate the values, the freedom and the democracy Canada鈥檚 veterans fought for this year.
Sharren Dukart from the Royal Canadian Legion鈥檚 Saskatchewan command said remembrance is the reason why people were at the ceremony on Tuesday. They remember each day by reflecting on military heritage and history.
鈥淭his dedication is symbolic of the public鈥檚 effort to remember every day, and for that, from all of the members and branches in Saskatchewan, we sincerely thank you for this dedication, and for remembering our heroes,鈥� said Dukart. 鈥淔or all of the veterans here today, thank you for your service. And for those who can only be here in spirit, we will remember them.鈥�
Rev. John Ferrier of Weyburn was the guest speaker. Not only did he recognize those who served on D-Day, but he saluted those who participated in the Dieppe Raid in August of 1942. More than 2,700 Canadian soldiers were killed, injured or captured as prisoners of war as a result of Dieppe.
鈥淢any of the lessons learned in that bitter experience were put to good use on D-Day on June 6, 1944,鈥� said Ferrier.
Ferrier stressed to the students that many who served Canada during the two world wars were young men, and weren鈥檛 much older than those who will graduate from Midale Central School this year.
鈥淚magine dashing through machine gun fire and bombs simply because you were dedicated to liberty and freedom,鈥� said Ferrier.
For Midale Mayor Allan Hauglum, it was an emotional day, as his late father, Melvin Hauglum, was among those whose names were added to the plaque.
Melvin Hauglum was a member of the military police during the Second World War. He was trained in Vernon, B.C., and was stationed at various locations across the country, but health issues prevented him from being deployed overseas.
鈥淗is friends all got sent out, but he was one who never got to go,鈥� said Hauglum. 鈥淗e never ever spoke of anything either regarding the war.鈥�
Arnold Hauglum said he was honoured to see his father鈥檚 name added to the plaque.
