This year’s Remembrance Day service will look a little different than usual.
Due to COVID-19 safety restrictions, attendance will be limited at Wednesday’s gathering at the Cenotaph in Bridgewater.
For the first time ever, members of the public are discouraged from attending in person, said Wayne Thorburne, Bridgewater Royal Canadian Legion president.
“We’re only allowed a few people to be on the grounds,” he said.
“We are inviting, in very small numbers, military, police, fire fighters, government officials and veterans. They will attend the ceremony, but the public is discouraged from attending, so we can conform to public gathering rules.”
Wreath laying will also take place either before or after the ceremony, Thorburne said.
Things will not run as usual at the Legion either, with the morning march, as well as the following banquet and evening dance being cancelled as well.
“That’s all going to be missed this year,” he said.
“But, the town did donate the bus to take our veterans over from the Legion and take them back afterwards. There will be no banquet this year, no dance, no social, it’ll just be the service at 11 AM as it is every year.”
Despite the limited attendance, Thorburne asks those at home still take a moment to pay respects on Wednesday.
“At 11 o’clock, no matter where you are or what you are doing, just stand at attention, pause, reflect and remember the veterans who gave their lives so you can live the life you have today,” he said.
