This year’s Remembrance Day service saw a good crowd on this fair-weather day. The event was held at the Elkhorn Legion Hall, Branch No. 58. The service was led by branch president Garth Mitchell, prayers led by Sharon Johnson and Last Post and Reveille played by Mark Humphries.
The guest speaker this year was Retired Master Warrant Officer of The Royal Canadian Artillery, Ret’d Jon Hawtin, who served for thirty years.
He talked about his many deployments overseas and postings in Canada with Canadian Armed Forces on both military and humanitarian operations with NATO and service in Bosnia, Yugoslavia and Afghanistan.
He shared, with some emotion at times, about the things he saw on his tours of duty both humanitarian and military missions and about the role and image of Canadian soldiers.
Throughout his military career Hawtin has always been active in sports, playing on military hockey teams and in triathlon events.
In the Miniota area where he lives with his wife Deanne and family, he is active in coaching various youth hockey teams.
Following the laying of wreaths at the community’s cenotaph, a light lunch was served and Legion service pins were presented. The after event also allowed those who stayed, to view some of the many posters, poems and essays on display. These were from area school students who took part in the annual Royal Canadian Legion Poster/Essay competition.
Legion President Garth Mitchell was very pleased with the turnout and community support for the event.
