Hundreds of Sikhs from across Alberta gathered with Canadian soldiers at a Calgary northeast temple last Sunday for a ceremony to honour the nation’s fallen men and women.
The ceremony at the Dashmesh Culture Centre in Calgary also paid special tribute to Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and warrant officer Patrice Vincent who were killed on home soil last month.
“As Canadian Sikhs, we share the pain that these soldiers’ families are going through,” said Harbinder Singh Sewak, Chair of the Canadian Sikh community military liaison, who has organized similar ceremonies in British Columbia.
The special Remembrance Day ceremony at a northeast temple, held on the first Sunday after Nov. 11, was the first time that Canadian military joined the Sikh community in Alberta to recall the service of those who died in defence of the country.
Lt.-Col Eppo van Weelderen told a crowd at the Dashmesh Culture Centre that Sikhs played an important role in both World Wars and other, modern day conflicts.
About 83,000 Sikh soldiers were killed and another 109,000 were injured while fighting with British Commonwealth forces in the two World Wars.
“Canadian Sikhs play a pivotal role in modern day operations of your Canadian Forces, and continue to serve with pride and distinction in defence of Canada and our interests,” van Weelderen said.
Van Weelderen, deputy commander of 41 Canadian Brigade Group, which has 1,200 reservists in Calgary and across the country, said Canadians owe it to their veterans to never forget their service.
To mark the occasion, Gurinder Singh Sidhu, president of the cultural centre, presented van Weelderen with a sword, called a kirpan, the highest honour with which Sikhs can bestow on someone from a different community.

Photo:
Executive Officer Lieutenant Joseph Banke - HMCS Tecumseh, Captain Dean Gray - Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre,   Deputy Commander Lieutenant Colonel Eppo Van Weelderen - 41 Canadian Brigade Group, Chairman Harbinder Singh Sewak - Canadian Military Sikh Community Liaison Photo Credit: Chakde TV