Nelson residents gathered today to honour Canada’s fallen soldiers and reflect on the sacrifices of military personnel and their families, with this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony placing particular emphasis on the deaths of four Canadian soldiers during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright in Alberta.
The Oct. 17 tragedy was highlighted as a reminder that military service carries risks even when soldiers are not deployed to war zones.
“It has been some time since we have endured such a grievous loss. And it does serve as a stark reminder of the risks that we and our soldiers face. that go largely unnoticed until something happens,” the Legion said.
The four soldiers were identified in the supplied ceremony transcript as Sgt. Morgan Wong of Edmonton, Pte. Sean Farrell of Prince Albert, Sask., Pte. Aiden Golding of North Vancouver, B.C., and Pte. Hayden Linkenmark of Langley, B.C.
Royal Canadian Legion president Bill Hare spoke about efforts to recognize more recent generations of Canadian veterans.
Hare said the Legion installed two plaques at the local cenotaph in June following a year of work. The additions recognize service during the Gulf War and the war in Afghanistan.
“We noticed some time back that these were missing from our cenotaph, we weren’t complete, and now we are.”
Hare said the additions help ensure the sacrifices of modern veterans are included alongside those who served in earlier conflicts.
He also highlighted the Royal Canadian Legion’s centennial in 2026, reflecting on the organization’s longstanding role in supporting veterans and preserving their stories.
Tanya Finley, the representative of a member of Parliament, spoke about the importance of remembering those who served and protecting the freedoms they helped secure.
“Peace is a fragile living thing, and it was gifted and handed to us by the fallen. Our freedom is woven so deeply into the fabric of our quietest moments. It is easy to see how we all forget.”
Nelson Mayor Janice Morrison encouraged residents to honour veterans through their actions and relationships with others.
“Together, let us actively commit to choosing kindness, fostering acceptance, championing justice, and cultivating peace.”
The ceremony concluded with a call to remember those who served, those who died and the families who continue to carry the impact of military service.
The message throughout the ceremony was that remembrance extends beyond Nov. 11, with Canadians encouraged to preserve the values and freedoms for which previous generations sacrificed.
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