Lest we forget.

Those three words come to life on November 11 each year in communities across southern Alberta as people gather to honour those who've fought and died in the service of our country.

In High River a march will be held from the Legion to the Highwood Memorial Centre starting at 9:30 a.m. followed by services.

"We have the parade leaving the Legion at 9:30 a.m. and it's expanded this year, we have more military coming out of Calgary every year and we'll actually have a couple of drummers," says Tim Whitford with the High River Legion. "The assembled people will march over to the Memorial Centre and hopefully the public will be in their chairs by (:45 so that the colour party can enter the auditorium."

Whitford says it's important to have everyone in their seats by 9:45 so the program can begin on time because of young children and seniors who'll be in attendance.

He's been at school presentations including one on Wednesday at Highwood High School.

"It's very encouraging and they seem to take it very seriously, and that's our future so we try to be active in the schools and certainly they've been very responsive, this year particularly," Whitford says.

Malcolm Hughes, Chairman of the Okotoks Branch 291 Royal Canadian Legion says the day may be sad but it's important to remember the brave men and women who fought for us.

"First and foremost I think it's the 117,000 Canadian men and women who gave their lives in the search for freedom for those who had lost it....it's pretty painful but at the same time it's a time of recognizing that I am here because a lot of other people are not here."

Hughes says the attendance over the years has made him proud as both a legion member and a Canadian.

"It's very heart warming to see the turnouts at Remembrance Day ceremonies now. We sit with the poppies and it's so good to see people dig down and put money into our boxes, and make donations and its been absolutely marvellous again this year."

For the second year in a row Okotoks has moved its services to the Centennial Arena to accommodate the large crowds. Doors open at 9 a.m. with the remembrance at 10:15 a.m..

Ceremonies will also be held at the Cenotaph in Nanton and the CRC in Vulcan starting at 10:45 a.m..

In Claresholm services will start at 10:30 a.m. at the Claresholm Community Centre followed by a get together at the Legion.