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| Prince Rupert residents will gather at the Court House Today with a pause to reflect and pay tribute to those who gave of their lives in Service of the past, or continue to serve the country to this day. |
Gathering across the vast expanse of this nation, we will be at ceremonies at the National War Memorial in Ottawa (8 AM BC time), to Cenotaph remembrances found in cities and towns large and small.
Collectively we will be sharing an hour together to reflect on the call to duty of those through the last century who have sacrificed their lives in service for their country.
In addition to the annual look to the past, those pausing to remember at 11 AM, will be providing a salute not only for those that have served the nation in the wars of the past; but for those who today uphold our military commitments and perform our law enforcement services across the nation.
In Prince Rupert, the local Remembrance Day ceremony will take place at the Court House cenotaph, with the march past to the Court House starting from the Safeway Parking Lot area at 10:45, the wreath laying ceremony should start at 11 AM.
As part of the commemoration there will be benedictions, music, the lowering of the flag, as well as the playing of the last post and then the march off from the Court House.
Residents of Port Edward will also be holding their own Remembrance Day ceremonies centred around the District Office and Community Hall.
Those looking to spend some time to reflect and review the sacrifice that Remembrance Day provides for can make use of a number of online resources for their journey.
Veterans Affairs Canada introduced the theme freedom for the 2019 remembrance, calling our attention to the price that was paid by generations before us to Stand on Guard to protect those freedoms.
More of their video library in honour of those who served can be found here.
Veterans Affairs Canada has also been profiling some of the historical moments of the nations military heritage, making available a number of links for Canadians to explore.
A Closer Look
Heroes Remember
A Day of Remembrance
Canada's Military History
Postcards for Peace
Profiles of Courage
One important historical feature to take time to review is the online version of the Books of Remembrance, the moving listings of Canada's War Dead that can be found in the Peace Tower of the Centre Block of Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
The Virtual War Memorial an online reference provides the opportunity for Canadians to search the books or to seek out information through a search engine.
You can explore that resource page here.
This year has marked the 75th Anniversary of the Italian campaign, with Veterans Affairs providing for a range of material for Canadians to explore about one of the key events of the Canadian War effort from 1943-45. Canadians and those of the Allied Forces fought two key battles on the western side of the country in that period, the Battle of Ortona and the Battle of the Liri Valley.
Earlier this fall, The Heroes Remember collection called attention to Canadian campaigns in Italy during the Second World War, pivotal battles that pushed the Nazi's back and led to the liberation of Italy and marked the start of the end of the German's reign on the continent.
More resources on Canada's military history from Veterans Affairs Canada can be found here.
The National Film Board is also providing a number of their films and documentaries on Canada's past war efforts, peace keeping missions and other areas of interest related to Canada's military.
The front page of the NFB site offers the links to a variety of options that can add to your awareness of Remembrance Day and why we pause to reflect.
Social media is also marking the Remembrance Day observations, with #CanadaRemembers a good place to start your search on relevant items of remembrance today.
For residents of the North Coast, a stop at the Royal Canadian Legion at 812 Third Avenue West for their annual Open House, will also offer up a glimpse at the history of those who left Prince Rupert to answer the calls of the nation, the displays at the front of the building a testimony to their courage and sacrifice.
The front area of the Prince Rupert Legion Making for a fitting memorial in its own right for the community to treasure, serving as permanent place of Remembrance on this day of solemn reflection.
On Remembrance Day the Prince Rupert Court House Lawn continues to make for a very special place for reflection on the sacrifice of those of the past, which ensured that we can enjoy our freedoms of today.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.
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