A day to reflect on war and peace
Canadians will pause at the 11th minute of the 11th hour on Nov. 11 to honour those who have served — and those who continue to serve — our country in war and peace.
The Royal Canadian Legion will host ceremonies Saturday in communities throughout Greater Victoria and elsewhere on southern Vancouver Island.
Premier John Horgan plans to attend the West Shore ceremony at the cenotaph, where a newly planted oak tree is being grown from an acorn from a tree in Vimy Ridge.
After the ceremony, mix and mingle at your neighbourhood branch of the Legion, where you’ll have a chance to meet and talk to veterans of all wars, as well as current serving sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen.
“Come in for a bowl of soup or a sandwich,” said Norm Scott, president of Prince Edward Branch #91.
All members of the public can now become members of the Royal Canadian Legion, which also allows children in its facilities.
“All should be able to remember,” Scott said.
After it honours the fallen during the day, the Langford Legion is hosting a fundraiser to help the living at a Wounded Warriors fundraising dance in the evening.
The suggested donation is $10. The dance starts at 7 p.m. at the Langford Legion, 761 Station Rd.
Members of Royal Canadian Navy, Maritime Forces Pacific/Joint Task Force Pacific will be participating in local ceremonies throughout southern Vancouver Island on Saturday:
Greater Victoria
9 a.m. • Aboriginal Remembrance Day Ceremony, Goldstream Park 10:55 a.m. • City of Victoria Cenotaph (legislative assembly grounds), 501 Belleville St. • Esquimalt Memorial Park Cenotaph, 1229 Esquimalt Rd. • Oak Bay Cenotaph, War Memorial, Uplands Park, Beach Drive • Saanich Municipal Hall, 770 Vernon Ave. • Sidney Town Hall, 2440 Sidney Ave. • Sooke Royal Canadian Legion, 6726 Eustace Rd. • West Shore Cenotaph, Veterans Memorial Park, (intersection of Goldstream Avenue and Veterans Memorial Parkway), Langford • Ross Bay Cemetery, 1494 Fairfield Rd.
Vancouver Island
10 a.m. • Cobble Hill Community Hall, 3550 Watson Ave., followed by a ceremony at Liberation Park Cenotaph 10:55 a.m. • Charles Hoey Memorial Park, Canada Avenue, Duncan • Lantzville Royal Canadian Legion, 7225 Lantzville Rd., Lantzville • Nanaimo Cenotaph, 85 Front St., Nanaimo • Mount Arrowsmith Legion, 146 Hirst Ave., Parksville Volunteer members of the Canadian Armed Forces are also available as speakers for community clubs, schools, seniors’ homes and other organizations. For information, go to forces.gc.ca.
For information on the Royal Canadian Legion, or to find a local branch, go to legion.ca.