Altario Farmer Calls Jail Term “Third World Stuff” 
Fifteen year old Pamela Strankman hugs her dad Rick following his release from jail while wife Dianne (left) listens intently during a news conference on the court house steps in Lethbridge. . ©Provost News Photo.
“Jail time is not the end of the fight, it is just the start” says other farmer.
Altario farmer Rick Strankman was released from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre on Thursday, November 7.
For full story, interview, and pictures of the farmers after their release in Lethbridge see November 13 Edition of The Provost News.
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Thank Veterans of the Community, Says Speaker
. . . Hall Again Full on Remembrance Day
The hall was full in Provost on Monday morning, November 11 as the community gathered to pay respect and gave thanks to the men and women who fought in Canada’s wars and conflicts.
After O Canada was sung in the Provost Recreation and Culture Centre, Rev. Andy Wiebe gave a prayer followed by a scripture reading.
Darlene Downing then read two poems on behalf of the Provost Legion: In Flander’s Fields and Reply to Flander’s Fields.
The Last Post was played followed by two minutes of silence and then the reading of names of those from the district who gave their lives in World War I and II.
The names of those local men who died in World War I, 1914 - 1918: H. Adams, M. Anderson, W. Beatson, L. Bethune, S. Burge, J. Cagney, A. Creighton, C. Curtis, D. Edgar, C. Haughen, W. Irwin, M. R. Keffler, J. Leitheiser, K. Massey, P. B. Portway, W. Purdy, S. Smith, H. Stubbs, R. Tinsley, J. W. Watson, F. A. Weavers, F. Williams, E. Whittle and C. Wren. Comrade Lerseth read the names of others who died fighting for Canada, 1939 - 1945: Beverley Agar, August Bernard, Wilbert Bevan, Dale Butler, Alvin Broemeling, Ora Hall, Carl Kjos, Paul Larson, Conrad Martens, Rogers Pick, Jacob Rehman, Kenneth Rud, Gordon Shand, Curtis Smith, C. Wyatt Swanson and Fred Wittmack.
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Rev. Luther Lerseth then gave a talk. He said that people on November 11 were remembering those who laid down the “ultimate sacrifice.” “We need to remember the sacrifice of our fellow man” Lerseth said. He went on to say that many gave a lot and it’s good to think and reflect on that. He told the crowd that he had an uncle in WWI in France and described what the soldier and many others had to put up with including poor water, rats and grease in the trenches. Thousands though saw war as an opportunity and a privilege to fight for their community he added. The speaker added that when WWII began he was six years old but still remembers seeing the gruesome pictures of war. Later in life Lerseth visited military cemeteries and “I was amazed” to find out that many of the dead were 18, 19 or 20 year olds . . . there were hundreds . . . thousands of them he pointed out. He said that he often wondered what it was like for the parents when they got the news that they had lost a son. “It’s good that we think about it as well today.” He also talked of Jesus Christ sacrificing and his death on the cross as well. Lerseth turned to remaining veterans of the community and urged people to thank them. “We don’t have a lot of time to thank them”, noting that the last World War was 57 years ago. “I hope you say thank you to the real veterans of this community . . . I hope we don’t have to do it (war) again, but maybe we will.”
After the singing of Abide With Me, wreaths were then laid on behalf of, or in remembrance of: the Provost Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, Auxiliary to the Legion, Air Cadets of the Royal Canadian Air Force, bereaved mothers, Government of Canada,
Province of Alberta, Treasury Branch of Alberta, Town of Provost, M.D. No. 52, Provost Health Care Centre, Provost Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Kinsmen Club, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Border Credit Union, Ministerial Association, the Associated Gospel Church, St. Mary's C.W.L., St. Thomas Aquinas School, Provost Public School, the United Church Women’s Auxiliary, Central Lutheran Church Ladies, Provost Masonic Lodge, Sparks, Brownies, Guides and Pathfinders, Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, in memory of comrade Mac Imeson and Walter Murray. Reveille was sounded by bugler Rich Holmes and God Save the Queen was sung.
Pianist was Irene McCormick. RCMP and Cadets also took part in the ceremony.
Print version and picture in November 13 edition of The Provost News
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