It goes without saying that Remembrance Day is about remembering.
Remembering those Canadians who fought and died in times of war (and also in times of peace). The Yukon is no exception. The territory has a long history of men and women who have been a part of the Canadian Armed Forces and Canadian Rangers. The latter being a uniquely important part of life and defence in the North.
As November 11 approaches, people like Wade Istchenko, who is both an MLA for Kluane riding, and a sergeant with the 1 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group based in Haines Junction, reflect on the service and sacrifice those who have been and are currently part of the Canadian military.
With a service record of over three decades, Istchenko said it’s as important today as it has always been to stop and remember that young Canadian men and women travelled to other places to fight and put their lives on the line, from The Great War (WWI) in Europe to fighting against the Nazis during WWII, to battling Taliban forces in Afghanistan in the first part of the 21st Century.
“It’s so important in our country. We need to remember [those who fought and died].”
For him personally, having family like his grandfather who served and his own kids having been a part of the Junior Rangers when they were younger, and as an active service member himself, Istchenko said participating in some way on Remembrance Day is paramount.
“It’s probably one of the most important things I do in my life every year,” he said.
Istchenko said that when things are good, and Canadians are not off fighting somewhere, people can sometimes forget the importance of supporting veterans at home. Taking the time to engage with veterans and show support by wearing a poppy and making a donation when picking one up, all go a long way to keeping the idea of Remembrance Day at the forefront of people’s minds.
He has seen first hand how the Armistice that is Remembrance Day, is viewed overseas, and how Canada is viewed. During his military career and while stationed in Europe, Istchenko saw many places where fighting had taken place during WWII and said seeing grave sites and monuments from that time it was clear there was and still is a great affection for what Canada did to help liberate those places from the Nazis.
“I saw those graves and I saw the respect for Canada. Our country of Canada [and] how we helped,” Istchenko said.
“It’s not a day off. Remembrance Day is not a day off. It’s not a holiday. You stop at eleven, eleven, eleven and you stop for two minutes,” he said, adding that it doesn’t matter how busy you are or what your job is–you still take that moment to remember.
For Yukoner Wendy Tayler, the act of remembering is something she and a group of friends really took to heart during the COVID-19 pandemic. About four years ago, the group set up a weekly Zoom get-together to keep social connections going and to talk about how they could help others do the same in light of the social restrictions of the time. The idea of how that would pertain to Remembrance Day was discussed, and the idea of The Yukon Remembers Facebook page was born.
“I asked the girls how they feel about investing some time in ensuring Yukon remembers,” adding that the main point of it all is to not make it about any one individual but to make it all about Remembrance Day.
Echoing Istchenko’s sentiment, Tayler said that outside of schools, there feels like a disconnect between people today and Remembrance Day and that it’s important that people do remember. She said there are reasons that might be, as WWII is decades past and we don’t live in the countries that are currently at war.
“We are not on the front lines and really seeing the impact of war. [But] that does change the fact that you and I get to get up every morning and live a free life, thanks to not just those people who fought in WWII and WWI, but also those people that continue to put their names forward to the military.”
Back in 2020, a number of local companies stepped up to help with the purchase of signs that are placed out in Whitehorse and the communities ahead of each Remembrance Day. Each year, some new signs are added to help increase awareness and spread the message, Tayler added.
“The goal here is to try and reach those people who aren’t paying attention,” pointing out that, much like the Imagination Library, which buys books for kids, the signs and Facebook campaign is about ensuring that those who might not have a strong connection to Remembrance Day, think about it.
As for Yukon Remembers, the Facebook page, (facebook.com/YukonRemembers/), is operated by a number of individuals from the territory who try to ensure that as many people as possible in the Yukon are able to have information and think about Remembrance Day.
The information on the page is a collection of information about Remembrance Day, the annual poppy campaign, and the history of service in the Yukon. Presented in a Did You Know? style, it draws on sources like the Royal Canadian Legion and news stories for example.
Another way to engage people, especially younger generations, could come from more social media outreach, Tayler said. She pointed to an online video by Canadian musician Terry Kelly, called A Pittance of Time, which is a song and video about witnessing members of society stopping to honour two-minutes of silence at 11 am On November 11, and witnessing those who did not.
In addition to social media campaigns perhaps there might be an on-going and constant idea of Remembrance Day. Tayler said that perhaps there can be discussion about having things like poppies all year for example.
She also said that inviting younger generations into the conversation about how they can engage and what kinds of suggestions they have to help make Remembrance Day something to think about. The end result being that people of all generations recognize the importance of the day and the veterans whom it honours. And, people from all over the Yukon are encouraged to send a message to the page’s chat and offer suggestions and ideas of their own.
“Anyone who wants to be a part of it—speak up.”
The Whitehorse Legion Branch 254 is gearing up for another year and Legion President Joe Mewett said the poppy campaign officially kicked off October 25, this year. “Today we started with our first presentation of the poppy which starts the poppy campaign for the Yukon.”
Yukoners around town will see the familiar boxes full of the bright red flowers and Mewett said the poppies are there for people to take and if they want to make a donation to the campaign it’s always welcome. He said people can look for both army and air cadets in addition to volunteers manning tables in local businesses.
In addition to the poppy campaign, the Yukon Legislature will also host a Remembrance Day tribute on November 6 for two local veterans, Joe Novak and Red Grossinger, who both passed this past summer. A Remembrance Day tribute is also scheduled at the legislature on November 7 at 1 p.m. The Legion will host a veterans’ dinner November 8, and the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Canada Games Centre on November 11, beginning at 10:25 a.m. Mewett said.
As the 2024 Remembrance Day approaches, Mewett said he’d like to see the numbers for the annual service continue rising as they have since 2020. He added it’s more important than ever to remind people that there are still many veterans around who served in later wars like Korea and Afghanistan who should be supported and remembered the same way as the WWI and WWII veterans were.
“In the Yukon, there are probably close to 2,000 veterans.”
Mewett said the schools in the territory are always good places to go and talk with youth about the importance of Remembrance Day and remind everyone that veterans are out there.
For Mewett, an important thing for people to remember are the countries in Europe who suffered in war but were helped by Canadian soldiers. Those places have a deep appreciation for what Canada did for them, he said, adding that he hopes we as Canadians never have to experience that type of war scenario here.
But as Canadians we should have the same level of remembrance and support as those European countries do. They deeply appreciate what their sacrifices meant to their country and their families.
“The remembrance is the most important thing.”
