Egland scores Teddy Bear Toss goal but Pats lose in OT
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Over 3,000 stuffed animals were tossed onto the ice.
It has been nearly 30 years since Col. Gwen Bourque, currently 38th Canadian Brigade Group Commander, joined the military.
She spoke at the ceremony on Wednesday in the rotunda at the Legislative Building to honour veterans from the public service. Later, Bourque said the ceremonies show such a great amount of respect.
“I’m so happy that people come together to do that because time goes on and they sacrifice their lives and it’s also a way to remember our veterans as well and realize the sacrifices that all of the families as well as the soldiers have given,” Bourque said.
At ceremonies and on days of remembrance, there are people who particularly come to mind for her.
“When I served overseas I had a number of friends who were killed — somebody who I served with pretty closely, his name was Lt. Bill Turner. And also, I lost my husband to suicide in 2012; he had PTSD,” Bourque explained.
This year, many ceremonies will be marking 20 years since Canada began its deployment in Afghanistan. It’s also the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong, the first land battle Canadians took part in during the Second World War.
Bourque served in Afghanistan and said she can’t believe it has been 20 years.
“We’ve had tons of people who’ve been injured over there and tons with mental health issues — just such a huge sacrifice,” she said. “That’s part of the reason why today means so much.”
It means a lot to Bourque, particularly on days like this, to honour and serve Canada.
“I love the military, I love what we stand for — protecting the nation — and it’s just such an honour to be a part of it,” said Bourque.
During the ceremony in the Legislative Building, Premier Scott Moe gave remarks, saying that we acknowledge our good fortune as Canadians, that we live in a free, dynamic, prosperous nation and a nation at peace, where rights are protected by law.
“My hope is that we know what we have in this great nation of Canada, and that we understand the freedoms we enjoy today have been hard won by brave men and women, often at an extraordinary cost,” said Moe.
Moe pointed out three soldiers with ties to Saskatchewan who died in battle: Lance-Cpl. Charles Smith, Company Sgt. Maj. John Osborn, and Sgt. Scott Shipway. Moe said we all owe an enormous debt to all those who sacrificed everything they have, along with their lives.