This year, Nov. 11 comes 80 years and a month after the Second World War ended with the formal surrender of Japan, a moment among many that will be honoured at the dozens of Remembrance Day ceremonies across the Lower Mainland this year.
An inexorable countdown of time continues, as the dwindling number of surviving Second World War veterans means they will soon join their WWI counterparts as just memories. There are fewer than 5,000 left in B.C.
Here is a list of Remembrance Day events across the Lower Mainland where you can honour veterans, and all those lost in defence of this country through the years:
VANCOUVER
For 101 years, Victory Square in Vancouver has been the site of Remembrance Day ceremonies, making it the longest-running of its kind in the province.
The cenotaph at Victory Square (200 West Hastings St.) marks the site of the ceremonies, at 10:30 a.m. including choirs and soloists, prayers and speeches followed by two minutes of silence at 11 a.m., laying of wreaths and a parade to follow.
Later in the day, at 12:30 p.m., another event will be held in Vancouver’s Chinatown Memorial Square (105 Keefer St.), with Members of ANAVET Pacific Unit 180 and the Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society present at the ceremony.
In Stanley Park at the Japanese Canadian War Memorial, another ceremony that highlights the sacrifices of Japanese-Canadians who fought for Canada, including in First World War and the Korean War, will be held starting at 10:30 a.m.
It will be followed by a reception after the ceremony at the Vancouver Rowing Club with light refreshments served. All are welcome.
The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada will also hold a ceremony at the Seaforth Armoury (1650 Burrard St.), with the building opening at 10 a.m., and the service set to begin at 10:50 a.m.
A travelling exhibit titled Anne Frank — A History for Today from the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam is available to the public on the mezzanine overlooking the parade square before and after the ceremony.
The University of B.C. is also hosting its annual ceremony at the War Memorial Gym (6081 University Blvd) beginning at 10:45 a.m. Monday, for faculty, staff, students and the on- and off-campus community. The event has been held every year since the facility opened in 1951.
NORTH VANCOUVER
The District of North Vancouver hosts its main Remembrance Day event Cates Park/Whey-ah-Wichen (4141 Dollarton Highway), just south of Deep Cove.
The ceremony, which begins at 10:30 a.m., welcomes both guests on land and on watercraft off Roche Point.
The Burrard Yacht Club, hosts of the event alongside the Deep Cove Yacht Club, will host a public reception with food and drinks afterwards.
WEST VANCOUVER
In West Vancouver, the event beings with a parade down Marine Drive and 18th Street at 10:45, culminating in the ceremony in front of the Memorial Arch at Memorial Park.
RICHMOND
Richmond’s ceremony will be held at cenotaph on the east side of city hall (6911 No. 3 Road), after a parade that includes units of veterans and current military members.
It will also be broadcast on the city’s YouTube page, at YouTube.com/cityofrichmondbc.
A reception will follow in the city hall atrium.
BURNABY
Branch 83 of the Royal Canadian Legion is hosting their annual parade and ceremony, marching from their hall at 5289 Grimmer street and marching to the cenotaph at Bonsor Park.
Source: VANCOUVER SUN