A message from the President of Branch 232 Huntsville.
The Royal Canadian Legion is taking the unprecedented step of discouraging Canadians from attending Remembrance Day ceremonies this year as COVID-19 upends the traditional ways of honouring those who sacrificed their lives for Canada.
Legion branches across the country are scrambling to plan stripped-down versions of the annual sombre ceremonies on Nov. 11 as many local governments restrict large-scale gatherings due to the rising number of new COVID-19 cases.
Remembrance Day at the Royal Canadian Legion, Huntsville is no less important in 2020—just the format of the day will be different. A private service has been planned with only 25 people in attendance to allow for social distancing and to ensure that the numbers remain within the Health Department guidelines.
This will be an indoor service to honour our veterans and their families; those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the Canadian Veterans who have fallen in the service of our Nation; those currently serving in the Canadian Forces and are in areas of conflict or taking part in operations to maintain peace; and those that have returned home and require our assistance.
This year’s Remembrance Day Service for the Town of Huntsville will be virtual in order to adhere to public health restrictions on large gatherings and manage the spread of COVID-19.
There will be no cenotaph service, there will be no parade, and there will be no public wreathing laying.
On Nov. 11, the public can watch the service starting at 10:30 a.m. on YourTV or online on the Legion’s Facebook page: Royal-Canadian Legion Huntsville Branch 232.
As the pandemic has prevented us from gathering together in person, it is more important than ever to honour our veterans and military members and their families by attending virtual Remembrance Day events and by wearing red poppies in honour of those who served and sacrificed their future to protect the freedom of our country. Stand in silence at 11 a.m. for two minutes and pay your respects to all our veterans.
Again, we encourage community members to come together online to reflect and remember the thousands of brave Canadians.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
As a member of the Cameron of Lochiel Pipes and Drums it’s difficult for our band to stand down this November 11th. It is something though that we must all do in order to protect ourselves and each other from Covid-19. Our veterans and current military members act to keep all Canadians safe and out of harm’s way. I encourage everyone to pause at 11am this Wednesday and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Cameron Renwick
Pipe Major – the Cameron of Lochiel Pipes and Drums