November 11th is Remembrance Day in Canada. Due to Covid precautions we can not mark the occasion in the traditional fashion. However there are still wonderful opportunities to remember and honour the sacrifices of our veterans. It is important we continue to protect the vulnerable in our communities as we plan to celebrate safely at home. For 2020 in person ceremonies will only be for invited guests.
PAKENHAM
On November 8th the Almonte Legion will lay wreaths in Pakenham, one of the wreaths will be marked for the public on which they can place their poppies as a mark of respect should they wish to do so.
Pakenham School will not be hosting a public event and will mark the occasion privately with their students. Thanks to community volunteers Pakenham residents can participate virtually.
Pakenham Virtual Remembrance Day Service
On Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who served their country and acknowledge our responsibility to work for the peace they fought hard to achieve.
In Pakenham, we have a long tradition of paying our respects to the brave men and women who gave and continue to give their lives in the line of duty.
This year is no exception. But because of COVID-19 we will have a virtual Remembrance Day service especially designed for Pakenham. The service will run on YouTube starting at 10:45 a.m. on November 11, 2020. The service can be accessed by searching for “Virtual Pakenham Cenotaph or Pakenham Cenotaph. ”The link will show as a private event and will not be accessible until the appointed time.
You can also visit the Pakenham Cenotaph Memorial 2020Facebook page at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1049487618816721/
ALMONTE
Almonte Legion Remembrance Day November 11, 2020
This year due to the Covid pandemic Remembrance Services across the Province will be very different. In our own area of Mississippi Mills we have unfortunately had to cancel many of our usual events. This year there will be no Veterans Dinner at the Legion, no Legion led Remembrance services at the Senior Residences in the town, Country Haven, Fairview Manor or Orchard View .
The Remembrance Day Ceremony is being scaled back with no marching parade and wreaths will be prepositions. We fully appreciate that many will still want to attend the Cenotaph and pay their respects and to this end we will be live streaming the service onto the internet. The event live stream can be found here :
For those on FaceBook : https://www.facebook.com/branch240 OR https://www.facebook.com/AlmonteLegionPipeBand
Website link : http://www.rcl05240.ca/ OR http://www.almontelegionpipeband.ca
We encourage all those who wish to attend to do so safely from the comfort of their homes in particular our Veterans who are at high risk.
Everyone is of course welcome to visit the Cenotaph on November 11th and pay their respect but we would ask that you do so with either prior to or after the formal service at 1100 Hrs.
On November 6th the Almonte Legion will lay wreaths in Pakenham and Clayton, one of the wreaths will be marked for the public on which they can place their poppies as a mark of respect should they wish to do so. A similar wreath for the public will be placed in Almonte on November 11th.
We thank you for your consideration and cooperation during these difficult times.
We Will Remember Them
Stay Safe
Rob Madore
President Almonte Legion
CLAYTON
The Remembrance Day ceremony in Clayton will take place on Saturday November 6th at 11:00 hrs this year. Again due to Covid restrictions there will be a short service at the Cenotaph in Clayton. There will be no marching from the Clayton Hall as in previous years. The public are welcome to attend providing they are observe Covid protocols.
Alternate Ways to Celebrate Remembrance Day
Consider these alternatives to attending a Remembrance Day event in person, particularly if you have health problems.
• Watch a live stream Remembrance Day event on TV with your household;
• Write a message to a veteran you know;
• Donate to your local Legion;
• Find a time of the next couple of weeks to visit our cenotaphs when you can be alone. We have cenotaphs in Almonte, Pakenham and Clayton.
• Talk to your children about the sacrifices our veterans made for our freedom.
• Take a stroll on the Almonte Veterans Walk, read the plaques and take a moment of silent reflection.
• Check out the Canadian War Museum Virtual Exhibits https://www.warmuseum.ca/exhibitions/online-exhibitions/
• Watch the National Veterans’ Week Speakers Program videos below.
Thank-you to the Canadian Department of National Defence for sharing these videos with us:
As we approach Veterans’ Week (Nov 5‐11), the National Veterans’ Week Speakers Program (NVWSP) is proud to unveil its CAF speaker’s video series. These videos pay tribute to all veterans, past and present, who have served their country. They are geared toward various audiences and age levels, which can be viewed in lieu of an in‐person presentation.
