EDMONTON — Large crowds attended Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa and across the country on Wednesday morning.
Edmontonians had several options for attending ceremonies. Below is a list of the major events that happened around the city, in part complied by the City of Edmonton.
Wednesday, November 11
Remembrance Day Ceremony at the U of A Butterdome
A Remembrance Day ceremony took place in the Butterdome at Van Vliet Centre, University of Alberta (89 Avenue and 112 Street). (Global News will be livestreaming the Butterdome ceremony on this post.)
This year’s ceremony marked several major events, including the 100th anniversary of the writing of “In Flanders Fields” and the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the Canadian contribution. This year’s Silver Cross mother was Sherry Clark, the mom of Pte. Joel Weibe, who died in Afghanistan at the age of 22.
WATCH: Butterdome Remembrance Day ceremony in Edmonton.
READ MORE: ‘There’s a great need’ for Edmonton Poppy Fund services
Beverly Remembrance Day Service
It was a grey and chill day as dozens of veterans, military members, cadets and invited guests marched solemnly down 118th Ave. They made their way to the Beverly Memorial Cenotaph, one of the oldest war monuments in Alberta. Those who marched paid respects and honoured those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of Canada. Veterans spoke of the need to remember those who have fallen and passed the torch of freedom onto future generations.
Remembrance Day Service at City Hall
A Remembrance Day service was held at Edmonton City Hall to honour the achievements and sacrifices of those who served our country in times of war and peace. The service was led by the Commanding Officer of The Loyal Edmonton Regiment.
Location: City Room, City Ha
Time: 10:15-10:35 a.m.
100 Street was reduced to one lane in each direction from 9 a.m to noon to accommodate Remembrance Day Ceremonies at City Hall. Motorists were encouraged to detour using 97 Street to avoid travel delays. Free parking was available at City Hall.
Wreath-laying Ceremony
Following the service in the City Room, there was an outdoor procession to the City Hall cenotaph, where wreaths will be laid.
Location: City Hall cenotaph (outside on the City Hall Plaza)
Time: 10:55–11:30am
Ceremony at Ainsworth Dyer Bridge in Rundle Park
A public ceremony was held at the foot of the Ainsworth Dyer Bridge in Rundle Park to commemorate the 158 lives lost to the war in Afghanistan. The annual event was started by the family of Cpl. Dyer, who was one of four Canadians killed during a friendly-fire incident in Afghanistan in 2002. The deaths were the first of Canada’s war in Afghanistan, and the first in a combat zone since the Korean War.
READ MORE: Soldiers killed in Afghanistan honoured in emotional Edmonton bridge ceremony
The footbridge over the North Saskatchewan River between Rundle and Gold Bar parks holds special meaning for the Dyer family, as that was the spot where Ainsworth proposed to his girlfriend Jocelyn Van Sloten before shipping out to Afghanistan. Instead of celebrating a wedding, Van Sloten’s father began building wooden crosses for every soldier killed in the war-torn country.
WATCH: A ceremony at the foot of the Ainsworth Dyer Bridge in Rundle Park has become an annual tradition. As Vinesh Pratap explains, the names of those who died in Afghanistan are read out and a cross is placed in their honour.
Fields of Honour
The City of Edmonton cemeteries lowered the Canadian flag in the Fields of Honour as a tribute to our veterans on Remembrance Day. The Fields of Honour are located at:
- Edmonton Cemetery 11820 – 107 Avenue
- Beechmount Cemetery 12420 – 104 Street
- Northern Lights Cemetery 156 Street – St. Albert Trail (15203 Campbell Road)
WATCH: Ceremony marks 100th anniversary of ‘In Flanders Fields’
Remembrance Day at Municipal Cemeteries
The City of Edmonton’s other Municipal Cemeteries were places for quiet reflection. For cemetery locations and maps, see the Municipal Cemeteries web page.
Loyal Edmonton Regiment Military Museum
The Loyal Edmonton Regiment Military Museum, located in the Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre at 10440 – 108 Avenue, held a brief Remembrance Day ceremony with a traditional minute of silence at 11 a.m. Admission and parking is free.
ETS Remembrance Day Service
On Remembrance Day, travel on Edmonton Transit is free for those in military uniform or legion dress, with a Canadian Forces identification card, or with a veteran’s card identifying the individual as a veteran.
On Wednesday, ETS will be operating regular Saturday service, with most routes starting earlier in the day at a 30 minute frequency. Industrial and some peak hour residential routes will operate on their regular weekday schedules. Check the ETS Trip Planner or call BusLink at 780-496-1600 or call 311 for complete route and schedule details.
Light the Bridge
The High Level Bridge will be lit in red and white on Remembrance Day in honour of the brave men and women who have served in Canada’s military. Visit the Light the Bridge web page for more information.
Other Remembrance Day services in the Greater Edmonton Area.
Other events
No Stone Left Alone Remembrance Ceremony
Beechmount Cemetery hosted the 5th annual No Stone Left Alone ceremony, where junior high school students, soldiers and community members gathered to remember Canada’s fallen military personnel by placing poppies on solders’ headstones in the Fields of Honour.
Date: Tuesday November 10, 2015
Time: 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Location: Beechmount Cemetery Field of Honour
Address: 12420-104 Street
READ MORE: No Stone Left Alone to honour Canada’s fallen
Veterans’ Week
Veterans’ Week is celebrated November 5 to 11, 2015 across Canada. There are several events in Edmonton to honour the achievements and sacrifices of those who have bravely served in our country’s military. Visit Veterans Affairs Canada for ceremonies being held in your area.
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