For decades Marlene Rusnell has been attending Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Trail Cenotaph.
For many of those years her beautiful voice has touched those who gather, while she led them in singing O Canada, traditional hymns and God Save the Queen. Rusnell recalls becoming part of the chorus back in the early 60s when she sang tenor in the city’s Welsh Male Quartet.
Over the years as the singers’ faces changed, she’s carried on, attending the Nov. 11 ceremonies and lending her voice at 10:45 a.m. with whomever was in the lead.
The last few years, singing the verses become a generational gift to all, when mother was joined by daughter Leanne Harrison, as well as daughter Kim Kleineberg and granddaughters Kim Fines and Karli Harrison, when the latter three were in town.
But no matter who Rusnell is standing next to, being part of the Remembrance Day program is an honour.
“I do it because I have such a great deal of respect for our veterans,” she says. “And it’s something I could do for the Legion,” Rusnell continued, noting Mr. Harold Branton.
“I really would like him mentioned because he worked so hard for our Legion and helped us out so much.” Branton, transferred to the Trail Legion in 1968 when he moved his family to become Minister of the Baptist Church.
After retiring from the ministry, he became a school bus driver, worked in public transportation and became a driving instructor, before retiring in 1993. Mr Branton received his Legion Life membership in 1999 and was named Trail Citizen of the Year in 2002.
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Trail
-10:30 a.m. parade from the Fortis Building to the Cenotaph.
-10:45 a.m. singing O Canada. Major Ginny Kristensen leading prayer followed by Reverend Meridyth Robertson giving the Address. Warrant Officer Shane Batch and Air Cadet Sgt. Katie Glaser will read the Honour Roll.
-11 a.m. Last Post given by Bill Guthrie followed by two minutes of silence.
-Legion will be serving hot stew after the service and hosting an afternoon of entertainment from the Trail Maple Leaf Band and Trail Pipe Band.
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Fruitvale
-10:45 a.m. Honour Guard and O Canada led by Llora McTeer. Pastor Bryan Henry leading prayer, followed by Stephen Piccolo, retired Warrant Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces, reading the Honour Roll.
-10:58 a.m. Last Post followed by two minutes of silence, reveille and laying of official wreaths. Beaver Valley Youth Club and Beaver Valley Pathfinders reading “In Flanders Field.”
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Rossland
-10 a.m. service at Royal Canadian Legion hall with Reverend Ken Siemens officiating.
-10:45 a.m. march to Cenotaph.
-11 a.m. Last Post followed by two minutes of silence and laying of wreaths.
-Noon, activities shift back to the Legion hall with hot stew and music by the Trail Pipe Band and Golden City Fiddlers.
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Salmo
-10:30 a.m. parade of Legion members, air cadets and girl guides through town and back to Cenotaph.
-11 a.m. Last Post followed by two minutes of silence and laying of wreaths.
-11:15 a.m. ceremony moves inside Legion hall and includes service by Reverend Doug Lewis, followed by refreshments.