Remembrance to be held online amid pandemic
Lord Provost lays wreath as annual event is called off Glasgow owes its military and veterans
CORONAVIRUS must not be allowed to cancel the r eme m b r a n c e o f Britain’s war dead, the head of Legion Scotland has warned.
Lord Provost Philip Braat yesterday laid a memorial wreath to the UK’s war dead in private for the opening of the George Square Garden of Remembrance.
The remembrance service in Glasgow was due to go ahead this morning but was cancelled because of ongoing coronavirus restrictions.
An online service will be broadcast online at 10.50am today to ensure the public can come together to remember those who died in the First and Second World Wars and all conflicts since.
Dr Claire Armstrong, chief executive of Legion Scotland, said that coronavirus should not stop people from coming together for those who lost their lives in war – but that public health measures had to be observed.
She said: “We are very disappointed that the opening of the Garden of Remembrance cannot proceed as planned, but we are determined to ensure that the public can still come together in remembrance of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
“Coronavirus must not be allowed to cancel remembrance, but public safety is paramount.
“Unfortunately, this is not the first time that we have had to adapt our plans this year.
“We undertook three major commemorations in the 75th anniversary of VE and VJ Days in May and August respectively, and the 80th anniversary of St Valery in June, with considerable success.
“The virtual programme of events reached millions and was arguably even more successful as a result of being taken online.”
The service will be broadcast live on Legion Scotland’s Facebook page.
The Lord Provost will observe a two- minute silence at 11am with Legion Scotland’s National Padre Rev Dr Karen Campbell who will host the service.
He said: “This ceremony allows us all to reflect and demonstrate our gratitude for those who gave their lives in conflict to preserve our freedoms.
“I am always proud and privileged as Lord Lieutenant to have the opportunity to demonstrate the city’s support for our armed forces, past and present.
“Sadly, due to the changing situation of the pandemic and the national social distancing rules that have been introduced for health and safety reasons, it means that this event cannot go ahead as planned this year.
“I know how important these occasions are to our serving military personnel, our veterans and the citizens of Glasgow, and I understand that this will be disappointing, but it is also understandable.
“Although we cannot hold mass gatherings at present, I still intend to lay a wreath to mark the occasion on behalf of the city, because Glasgow owes its military and veterans a great debt.”
Dr Armstrong is awaiting updated Scottish Government guidance on outdoor gatherings, expected later this week.
The current restrictions last until November 2 but it is not expected that large outdoor gatherings such as the annual George Square memorial service will go ahead as normal.