THUNDER BAY -- Robin Rickards knows he’s lucky to be alive.
A corporal with the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment, Rickards served with the Canadian Armed Forces for 11 years, which included three tours to Afghanistan.
During the first tour in 2006, he served with Cpl. Anthony Boneca, who was killed on July 9, 2006 at the age of 21, and Rickards said it was a roll of the dice that determined which battalion they ended up in.
“Had it been me in Tony’s circumstance, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the family I have and the life I have. I’m very conscious of things like that on Remembrance Day,” said Rickards, who attended the Remembrance Day service in Waverley Park Tuesday.
Boneca was just one of the Canadian men and women who lost their lives in conflicts throughout the last century to be remembered in Tuesday’s ceremony.
Waverley Park flooded with people braving the cold weather to attend the service and Rickards said it was great to see people remembering the sacrifices that have been made on their behalf.
“For me, it’s reinforcement of the fact the Canadian public values the service that Canadian Forces members have done and continue to do in their honour,” he said.
Second Lieut. Kari Ranta-Ojala has been serving with the LSSR for three years and said the turnout shows how much the community cares about local servicemen and women.
“Our community of Thunder Bay supports its troops and we’ve seen that through how they look after the troops when they come home,” he said.
For himself, the day is about focusing on what Canadian soldiers did during all the conflicts throughout history.
“Their sacrifice allowed us to live the current life we have now. That’s something I’m grateful for,” said Ranta-Ojala.
“They gave us a gift that we can continue our lives in our lifestyle and allow Canada to maintain its freedom and independence.”
