For Irena Vlach, Remembrance Day is personal – she owes her way of life to those who served in the Second World War.
Vlach, like many local residents who cannot attend the typical Remembrance Day ceremonies in person this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, will be privately finding a way to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“Remembrance Day for me is a day I can show respect and gratitude not only to those who gave up their life for our freedom from tyranny, but also to show my gratitude to those who survived bravely fighting to preserve that freedom,” Vlach said.
Vlach’s father served in the Second World War in the Polish army and fought alongside Canadians, Australians and other Allied countries. Shortly after the war, he immigrated to Canada and Vlach said she owes her life to all the heros who fought for her freedom.
Vlach’s father passed away in 2016, but this year Vlach will be going to his grave site at Holy Cross Cemetery on Mark Messier Trail to place a wreath in his honour.
Vlach said there are many war vets buried there, some who fought alongside her father.
“I have a feeling other families will be showing up,” she said.
Krystal Blatz plans on holding a private family Remembrance Day ceremony for her kids and nieces and nephews – six kids between the ages of 11 and four.
Blatz, who is an elementary teacher taking a year off work, said she will try to find a ceremony being broadcast online for the kids to watch, along with putting poppies on a wreath and doing a craft day.
Normally the family goes to the ceremony in Calahoo.
Blatz’s grandfather served in the Navy during the Second World War and was very near and dear to his granddaughter. One of the reasons Blatz cares so deeply about the day is because of the sacrifice her grandfather made by going off to war.
“I just don’t want my kids to not really have an opportunity to reflect,” Blatz said.
The mom of three said reflecting on the day is more important than ever before, with COVID-19 forcing us to make different kinds of sacrifices with our lives.“Especially now in today's COVID-19 reality, it's actually really important to take the time to remember. We are simply being asked to stay at home and not socialize as much, when these men and women went and literally lost their lives,” Blatz said.
Morinville and Sturgeon County have teamed up for Remembrance Day this year and are asking residents to stand on their front porches on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. to take part in two minutes of silence.
The St. Albert ceremony will not be open to the public, but a live streaming will be broadcast on the City of St. Albert’s YouTube channel.
