A Moment with the Mayor: Remembrance Day 2025

As you read this article, I encourage you to purchase a poppy and wear it proudly. Each year, as we prepare to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, we are asked to take time to remember.

The Armistice Agreement was signed at 11 a.m. on November 11, marking the end of the First World War. Each year, Canadians gather on Remembrance Day to recognize and remember those who have responded and continue to respond to the call to serve our nation in times of war and peace. These individuals are rare and deserve to be honoured.

This year marks two important milestones: the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Canada played a vital role in the Battle of Britain, with more than 100 Canadian pilots and hundreds of ground crew serving in Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) squadrons. The RCAF’s No. 1 Squadron was formed specifically for the campaign, marking the first time Canada deployed its own air assets in a coalition combat mission.

The Battle of Britain was a turning point in the war. The Allied victory, achieved with the courage and skill of Commonwealth forces including Canadians, marked the first major defeat of Nazi Germany and proved that the Luftwaffe was not invincible.

As a nation, we have lost the last survivors of the Great War, and time continues to move forward. The names of those who gave their lives for our sake are etched into the cenotaph in front of City Hall. They will be honoured during the Remembrance Day service at the Lloydminster Comprehensive High School gymnasium on Tuesday, November 11.

I encourage you to take time to attend a Remembrance Day service wherever you are on November 11. Please take a few moments to talk with your family and friends about the importance of remembering and of saying thank you. Our veterans, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP, and all protective services members put their lives on the line for our protection and safety.

I look forward to seeing you at our Remembrance Day service.

Mayor Gerald S. Aalbers
City of Lloydminster