THUNDER BAY – Remembrance Day will look a lot different this year – and it will also be a lot less crowded.
Organizers of the area’s big three ceremonies have said they have significantly scaled back plans for Nov. 11 because of pandemic gathering restrictions imposed by the province that limit outdoor crowds to 25 or fewer people and indoor crowds to no more than 10.
The annual indoor ceremony at Fort William Gardens has been cancelled, with a much smaller outdoor event slated for the cenotaph at city hall.
A smaller version of the event at Waverley Park will still be held in its usual spot, but only three wreaths will be laid during the ceremony, which normally involves members of the local military and police and hundreds of onlookers.
Instead the Silver Cross mother will lay the first wreath, along with two others.
The service on Mount McKay will also be a scaled back version, with those wishing to lay a wreath being asked to come on their own once the annual ceremony concludes.
Les Newman, president of Port Arthur Branch No. 5 Royal Canadian Legion, said the limitations left them with little or no choice if a ceremony was still to be held.
“By the time we get the people who are required to deal with the wreaths and deal with the ceremony, there’s no room left for the colour party, the wreath layers and such,” Newman said on Thursday, standing in front of the cenotaph at Waverley Park.
“We’re not having any sort of a parade. The military units, unfortunately, have been cut out all together. They will be conducting their own services within their own buildings.”
The public is being discouraged from attending all three ceremonies.
“We appreciate that people want to pay their respects they want to come watch the ceremony, but we also appreciate the fact they should be staying home, for their own safety, for our safety, for everyone’s,” Newman said.
“Hopefully next year we’ll get back to something a little closer to normal and they’ll come back and join us.”
Despite the pandemic, all three organizers said it was important to recognize the sacrifices of the veterans who gave their lives, were injured in the call of duty or risked their own well-being in battle, especially in 2020, the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
It’ll just be a little different than usual.
“We feel it’s important to still honour our veterans and our fallen soldiers even though we’re in a pandemic,” said Kateri Banning, an organizer of the Mount McKay event.
“They fought through far worse than what we are currently facing. We will be taking extra precautions in regards to health and safety such as requesting people attending wear masks even though it’s outside and I don’t think we’re having the free luncheon this year but that may change.”
The Gardens ceremony has been reduced to just six people, which isn’t ideal, but was the best solution under the circumstances, said organizer Ken Milenko.
“We made the definite right decision not to hold Remembrance during this COVID-19,” he said. “However, it’s really an important time for Royal Canadian Legion members and veterans all across the country. So we’re going to observe Remembrance in our own way. Every branch across the country will observe their own form of remembrance, practicing social distancing and following guidelines.”
Milenko said they’ll lay a single wreath, read a brief prayer and play last post, hold a lament and play reveille.
Donations, in lieu of a poppy purchase, may be made to any Legion.
