Bittersweet mood at veterans' ceremony

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Chuck Knutson wasn't among the veterans assembled at the dedication ceremony in front of the provincial legislature on April 30.

The 73-year-old Korean War veteran had passed away earlier that morning, bringing a touch of sadness to an otherwise happy occasion.

Beside the flags of Canada, Alberta and the Aboriginal Veterans Society of Alberta was a single yellow rose planted in his honor. The occasion was the installation of a plaque on the legislature grounds honoring Aboriginal veterans.

"Chuck had a lot to do with getting that monument erected," said society president Vic Letendre. "He was with me and the others when we went around getting prices and getting it built and everything. He was quite instrumental in getting it there."

About two dozen veterans attended the ceremony, along with retired senator Thelma Chalifoux, Assembly of First Nations Alberta Regional Chief Jason Goodstriker, Metis National Council President Clem Chartier, Metis Nation of Alberta President Audrey Poitras, Alberta Aboriginal Affairs Minister Pearl Calahasen and Edmonton City Councillor Ron Hayter.

Calahasen said Alberta's centennial in 2005 is "an extra special time to remember our Aboriginal heritage."

Taking note of the unseasonably cold weather on the last afternoon in April, Hayter said it was probably appropriate for those in attendance to feel a little discomfort as they honored the former military men.

"They went through a lot of bad weather and a lot of misery for us," he said.

Veterans across the country are remembering the end of the Second World War this month. On the day of the ceremony it was the 60th anniversary of the day Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Third Reich, took his own life. And the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Holland by Canadian troops would be marked a few days later.

"They are responsible for protecting what we have in this country," Hayter said, thanking the veterans on behalf of all Edmontonians.