On the afternoon of November 10, Edmonton Police Service (EPS) officers, School Resource Officers (SROs), Youth Enhanced Deployment (YED) Constables, EPS Acting Superintendent Darrin Balanik, and Edmonton Police Association President Sgt. Mike Elliott teamed up to assist the EPS Cadets with their newest community initiative.
Supporting No Stone Left Alone, a memorial foundation dedicated to honouring the sacrifice and service of Canada’s military by educating students and placing poppies on the headstones of veterans, the Cadets committed their time to lay poppies at the foot of over 4700 soldiers' headstones at Beechmount Cemetery for this year’s Remembrance Day.
“It’s a small gesture that we feel speaks volumes,” said EPS Constable Daniel Yaassoub, Coordinator of the EPS Cadet Corps program. “All those in attendance, on behalf of the Service and in support of No Stone Left Alone, were able to give our thanks to veterans that fought in the past, while also acknowledging and thanking those who are today, sacrificing so much for the sake of our freedom.”
Observing public health guidelines by staying two metres apart and wearing face masks, the officers and cadets made their way between the headstones, row by row, honouring members of the armed forces.
Due to the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cadets were unable to participate in No Stone Left Alone’s ceremony that was held on November 5, due to the Alberta government’s mandatory 15-person limit on indoor and outdoor social gatherings.
“It’s unfortunate but also understandable,” said Const. Yaassoub. “These are trying times, and
to have so many of our SROs, YED Constables and additional members plan their day around this event to assist the Cadets supporting this community initiative means a lot. They really came through and I can’t thank them enough.
“The Cadets have already been working hard all summer, cleaning and maintaining many of these military headstones, this is just another way they are able to continue showing their respect and support to those who have given so much.”
