Shuswap residents remembered and gave thanks to those who have served, and those who continue to serve their country during the Salmon Arm legion's Remembrance Day ceremony.
A large number of people gathered at the city cenotaph for the Nov. 11 event, led this year by MC Myron Crown.
In a speech, Crown paid a personal tribute to veterans, giving everyone in attendance the opportunity to join him in saying "thank you."
"Veterans have dealt with victory and tragedy," said Crown. "Veterans have celebrated and mourned. Veterans have lost a few along the way. For the veterans, when their adventure was over, some went back home, some started somewhere new. For some, they never came home at all.
"We have told amazing and hilarious stories of our exploits and adventures as veterans. Veterans share an unspoken bond with each other that most people don't experience and few will understand. Veterans speak highly of their own branch of service and of course, they poke fun at the other branches. We know, however, that if needed, veterans will be there for their brothers and sisters and stand together as one in a heartbeat. The rivalries are in jest. The service is in earnest.
"Being a veteran is something that had to be earned. It is not gifted, bestowed upon or granted. But with its earning, it is also something that can never be taken away. it has no monetary value but at the same time is a priceless gift and a precious treasure… that is given and not received.
"When veterans see each other we give that little upwards head nod or slight smile, knowing that we have shared and experienced things that most people have not. So from those of us here today that aren't veterans, to the veterans that are here today, we want to commend you and thank you for all that you have done and sacrificed for your fellow human beings, for your nation, for your family, for your friends.
"Try to remember the good times and we will encourage you along the way as you work through making peace with the times that were not so good. Share your stories. It is a rich heritage that we must never forget, that we must always cherish and that we must strive to remember. Most importantly, stand tall and proud for you have earned, you have not been granted, you've not been give, but you have earned the very distinguished and honourable position and title of being called a veteran."
