THUNDER BAY – November 11 is approaching, and there are multiple Remembrance Day ceremonies planned around the city.
On the south side of the city, a ceremony will take place at the Fort William Gardens.
Ken Milenko, event chairman for the south side Remembrance Day service, said he strongly recommends to arrive around 10, but no later than 10:30 a.m. “Our parade inside the garden starts at 10:40 a.m. and it's important to us because we try to time it as close as possible to 11 a.m. on November the 11th to proceed with the two minutes of silence.”
Milenko said there will be a parade indoors, with a huge cadet presence.
“We have the Northwestern Police and Military Museum from Kakabeka Falls that bring a couple of military vehicles from World War Two and display them on the floor.
“We have participation from probably 120 to 125 wreath layers. This is pretty impressive and fortunately, the seating capacity in the gardens is over 3,000,” he said.
The ceremony is usually over by about noon, he said.
“We invite the entire public to stop by one of the legion halls and the Army Navy Air Force Veterans Association. It's really important that people stop by their club because they're not as high profile as the Royal Canadian Legion, said Milenko.
“ANAF has an event going, it's free chili and soups and salads. So does the Polish Legion on Simpson and the Slovak Legion in East End. “They've all got free lunch for anybody who attends and we encourage it,” he said.
Milenko thanks Jenkins Funeral Home for producing the printed programs, with no charge to the legion, that will be handed out at the Fort William Gardens.
Meanwhile, on the city’s north side, there will be a ceremony at Waverley Park.
Katriina Myllymaa, president of Port Arthur Branch number 5, also said they prefer to have everyone arrive around 10 a.m., and before 10:30 a.m. “They'll be marching on towards the Cenotaph at 10:30."
“We're going to have some representatives from Superior Wisconsin because we go down there for their Memorial Day, so they come up for our Remembrance Day. A couple of folks from there will be marching in the parade with us,” she said.
Myllymaa said the ceremony typically ends around 11:50 a.m.
“Sections of Red River Road and Waverley Street will both be closed off. It’s a good idea to arrive early to find a parking spot," Myllymaa said.
“Afterwards we're going to have some stuff going on at Branch Five, which is at 229 Van Norman Street. We have some music and it's just an opportunity for people to meet and just get together,” she said.
The music will be from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m., she said, and there will be soup and stew. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Fort William First Nation will hold its Remembrance Day Service at Mt. McKay Cenotaph at 10:15 a.m.
Anyone who wishes to lay a wreath to honour a fallen solider at that service, can contact Cathy Banning by email. Following the ceremony, a luncheon will be served at the Community Centre from 12 to 2 p.m.
