THUNDER BAY — More than three-quarters of a century since the conclusion of World War II, honouring the sacrifices of those who fought and died for Canada is as important as ever, says Ken Milenko.
Milenko, the local arrangements chair for the Royal Canadian Legion's Remembrance Day service at Fort William Gardens, said the occasion continues to have a strong resonance in Thunder Bay.
“Remembrance is so darn important to us,” he said. “I mean, we lost so many people in the First World War, the Second World War, Korea and more… It's moving to the entire community.”
“It's really important that we continue to remember why we don't want to be at war.”
Milenko was busy Friday finalizing preparations for the ceremony at the Gardens, which typically draws thousands of people. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., while the ceremony is expected to start between 10:30 and 10:40 a.m.
It’s one of four Remembrance Day ceremonies planned across Thunder Bay and Fort William First Nation.
A service at the Waverley Park Cenotaph, organized by the Port Arthur Legion, will begin at 10:20 a.m.
The Royal Canadian Slovak Legion Branch 129 will hold its own ceremony in the legion’s main hall starting at 10:30 a.m.
Fort William First Nation will also hold a service at the Mount MacKay cenotaph starting at 10:15 a.m. A luncheon will be served at the community centre after the ceremony, from noon to 2 p.m.
Milenko said this year’s ceremony at the Gardens will include some special elements, like the Nor’Westerview School glee chorus singing In Flanders Fields, and two World War II vehicles that will be on display courtesy of the Northwestern Ontario Military and Police Museum.
