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| The Cenotaph at the Prince Rupert Court House will be the forum for remembrance today as the community joins in remembrance of those who served and lost their lives in service of the nation |
This morning as we have in the years and decades before, Canadians will pause at the eleventh minute, of the eleventh hour of this eleventh day of November.
This year however, in the midst of COVID, we perhaps shall gather across this land in smaller numbers, socially distant but collectively as one 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 as always at the Court House cenotaph, a smaller service perhaps of remembrance than those of years past.
Veterans Affairs Canada introduced a video for the 2021 remembrance, calling our attention to Why We Remember and the price that was paid by generations before us to Stand on Guard to protect those freedoms.
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.
What has been a week of Remembrance began on Monday, as we noted of the start of the week of Remembrance and the observation of Indigenous Veterans Day, the days leading up today's remembrance ceremony one's which offered opportunity for reflection and the sharing of memories, with local educators leading the way.
This years observance one with COVID protocols such as social distancing and mask requirements in place.
Though as it has been through generations now, the wreath laying ceremony will start at 11 AM.
The ceremony marked by the playing of the last post, the benediction and the placement of wreaths of remembrance.
For those that cannot attend the Remembrance service in person, an online stream cast of today's ceremony from the Court House has been relayed through Social Media set to start at 10:45AM.
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 on this solemn day.
Veterans Affairs Canada introduced a video for the 2021 remembrance, calling our attention to Why We Remember and 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.
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 many residents of the North Coast, a stop at the Royal Canadian Legion at 812 Third Avenue West is an important part of the observance for the day by many in the Prince Rupert area .
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.
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 many residents of the North Coast, a stop at the Royal Canadian Legion at 812 Third Avenue West is an important part of the observance for the day by many in the Prince Rupert area .
The local gathering space has reopened its museum features for the public to view the exhibits, a fascinating trip to the past and Prince Rupert's involvement in our past wars.
The displays are open Thursdays through Sundays from 1:30 to 4:30 PM.
You can help with their work by making a donation, you can also contact them at 250-622-2017 to learn more about what they offer and how you can help.
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.
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.
Once the official part of the day is complete, the rest of the day, the week, months and year is yours.
You can drop by the Court House at any time, in a socially distant way, to pay your own tribute of remembrance to those who sacrificed so much for us through battles past and continue to serve today.
This Remembrance Day also marks the 100th anniversary of the poem In Flanders Field, the timeless reflection of War, Sacrifice and Remembrance from John McCrae.
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.
For a look at the National and provincial themes of the day see our political Blog D'Arcy McGee and our Ottawa Observations and Victoria Viewpoints archives.
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