The traditional poppy that is worn on Remembrance Day. Photo by Trish Allison QNet News
By Trey Boivin [1]
BELLEVILLE – The Royal Canadian Legion [2] holds Remembrance Day ceremonies every Nov. 11, but this year will be a little different as the public is urged not to attend.
Many legion branches are holding ceremonies with few to no physical attendees. Branch 78 in Prince Edward isn’t holding a public service at all. They’ll be laying the reefs early in the morning and the mayor and a padre will give a short speech.
The Royal Canadian Legion branches in and around Belleville
Although 25 people will be allowed at a time, they strongly encourage people to participate from home because fines are involved if more people attend than are allowed under the provincial government’s rule.
In Belleville, there will be a small ceremony at the cenotaph. A service will be held involving 25 veterans who have reserved seating. Mayor Mitch Panciuk will say a few words. There will be no marching band and the public is strongly discouraged from attending in-person, Stephen Shirk, chairman of Belleville Veterans’ Council.
Loyalist College will be holding a virtual ceremony on Microsoft Teams from to 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 11. Local author and journalist Mary Thomas will be in attendance in addition to representatives of 426 Training Squadron, 8 Wing CFB Trenton [3].
A national ceremony will be held in Ottawa, but it’ll be online as well. The live stream can be viewed on the Royal Canadian Legion Facebook page [4] and will start at 10:45 p.m.