Legions discourage public from attending local Remembrance Day ceremonies

The traditional poppy that is worn on Remembrance Day. Photo by Trish Allison QNet News

By Trey Boivin

BELLEVILLE – The Royal Canadian Legion 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.

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 and will start at 10:45 p.m.