A small city in Saskatchewan is coming under fire for essentially forcing its veterans to march in the town’s annual Santa Claus parade instead of holding their own traditional ceremonies on November 11th.
“The cost of November 11th ceremonies, particularly the parade, is a lot more expensive than most people realize,” said Weyburn city councilor Stacey Yancey. “By the time policing costs and traffic diversion are added up, it just isn’t worth it, especially considering the dwindling number of actual war vets.”
According to the Weyburn Legion, there are only 3 living veterans from World War Two left in the city of 11,000. Apparently, that isn’t enough for the Weyburn council.
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| 89 year old World War Two veteran Patrick Mallehan (R) is astonished by city council's decision. |
According to Mayor Stephen Downridge, November 11th will be like “any other day, but on the day of the Santa Claus parade (November 25th), Taps and The Last Post will be played by the high school band in between Christmas carols. The traditional moment of silence will be replaced by veterans throwing out candies to joy-filled onlookers.”
This isn’t the first time Weyburn city council has been under fire. Last July they converted the town’s cenotaph into a skate park for kids.
When asked for his viewpoint on the controversial decision, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that "ultimately it is the city's decision, and it sounds like they are being fiscally prudent to me."
From Our Saskatoon Bureau
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