Local artist records original song for Remembrance Day with video showcasing Red Deer’s military history

Editor’s note: This article was published in 2020. It was extremely popular in the Central Alberta region so we wanted to circulate it again this year, now even more poignant with the war in Ukraine. The video uses many images that are familiar to Central Albertans and pays tribute to Central Alberta soldiers who have deployed internationally over the years.

This spring, a singer and songwriter friend of mine from Red Deer, Shelly Dion, came to me with a song idea that had, in her words, been “knocking around in my head for the past 30 years”. She said that she really wanted to pay her respects to the people who sacrificed their lives and livelihoods to go to war.

The song is called “Lay Me Down”, and it’s a very fitting song for this time of year. We decided to get together and record a simple version of the song. Then I sent her off to see musical wizard, Red Deer’s Heath West of Medodius Design. Heath came up with some excellent improvements and we recorded it in his studio this fall.

As Honorary Colonel of 41 Signal Regiment in Alberta, I’m always looking for opportunities to promote the military, our Regiment’s members, and of course at this time of year, to acknowledge the sacrifice made by the men and women who serve in the Canadian Armed Forces. “Lay Me Down” hit all the right notes.

With some help from Counsellor Michael Dawe, long-time archivist for the City of Red Deer, I gained access to some wonderful historic photos that helped me to tell some of the stories of Red Deer’s military history. At the same time, I wanted to help the members of our Regiment honour the many local members who have volunteered to put their lives and careers on hold to deploy internationally to places like Afghanistan, Golan Heights, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and more recently Ukraine and Latvia. This project allowed me to both profiles some local history and recognize our more modern history. Thanks to WO Drew Adkins of 41 Signal Regiment for his help in coordinating photos from our wall of fame inside Cormack Armoury.

The above video is the result. Take some time to learn about our local military history. Do you know who Cormack Armoury is named after? You’ll also learn about local members of 41 Signal Regiment (2 Sqn), many of whom actively serve in the Armed Forces today. You may even know some of them as neighbours, friends, and co-workers. Please take a moment to acknowledge their service, and on November 11th, attend a service, and at the very least, take a moment at 11 AM to be silent and consider how lucky we are to be at peace in our country.

“Lay Me Down” is written and performed by Shelly Dion and produced and engineered by Heath West. Musicians: Bagpipes Glenn MacLeod, acoustic guitar Heath West, electric guitars Lloyd Lewis, drums Phil Liska, Bass Doug Gagnon.

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Lloyd Lewis

www.todayville.com

President Todayville Inc., Honorary Colonel 41 Signal Regiment, Board Member Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award Foundation, Director Canadian Forces Liaison Council (Alberta) musician, photographer, former VP/GM CTV Edmonton.

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Alberta

Three Hills RCMP nab suspect who set fire to a field in escape attempt

Published on October 12, 2023

Todayville

Three Hills RCMP apprehend property crime offender after lighting fire on rural property

On Oct. 8, 2023, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Three Hills RCMP responded to a break and enter in progress while the home owner was home and hiding inside. Members arrived at the residence and observed suspects fleeing the area in a vehicle. Three Hills RCMP located the vehicle and one male suspect after he lit a fire to a farm field to try and evade police. The male was arrested shortly after and identified by police. Police confirmed the vehicle was stolen and officers located break and enter tools and stolen property inside the vehicle.

Joseph Vincent (30), a resident of Sylvan Lake, Alta., has been charged with:

Arson – Damage to Property
Break and Enter Residence
Possession of Break-in Instruments
Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
Provincial Trespass

Following a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Vincent was remanded into custody to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Drumheller on Oct. 13, 2023.

Three Hills RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt. Jamie Day stated “I am proud of the responding members from the Three Hills Detachment. A lot of work went into catching this offender and I am, thankful that no one was hurt during the incident. This demonstrates the importance, effectiveness and dedication from our members. Three Hills RCMP remains fully committed in building safer communities by working in partnership with our community as well as through investigative and enforcement efforts to achieve this goal. An instrumental tool that aided the investigation, was camera footage provided by the victims linking the individual to multiple incidents. I would like to thank Southern Alberta District Crime Analyst for his assistance providing intel that was critical to the investigation.”

Blackfalds

28 year old Blackfalds woman arrested after drug trafficking investigation

Published on October 11, 2023

Todayville

News release from Blackfalds RCMP

Blackfalds RCMP lay charges after drug trafficking investigation

In the summer of 2023, Blackfalds RCMP began an investigation into drug trafficking in the Blackfalds area. As a result of the investigation, on Sept. 5th, 2023, RCMP observed the suspect who appeared to be selling drugs from a Toyota Camry. RCMP initiated a traffic stop and arrested the suspect. RCMP seized:

86.8 grams of suspected Methamphetamine
5.6 grams of suspected Cocaine
93 Percocet pills
A loaded prohibited/Restricted firearm
$5100 in Canadian Currency
16 grams of suspeceted Fentanyl
Other pills that are not yet known.

Evidence obtained in the search of the vehicle led officers to continue the investigation. On Sept. 6, 2023, RCMP executed a search warrant at a hotel in Red Deer. As a result of the search of the hotel room, RCMP seized:

28.3 grams of suspected methamphetamine
8 grams of suspected Cocaine
12.6 grams of suspected Fentanyl

RCMP have arrested and charged Blackfalds resident, Reanne Brodersen (28), with:

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (x4)
Possession of the Proceeds of Crime
Weapons offences (x4)
Failure to Comply with Weapons Prohibition Order (x2)
Fail to Comply with Release Order (x2)

Bordersen has been taken before a justice of the peace and remanded with her next appearance date set for Oct. 19, 2023, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.