A Remembrance Day ceremony was once again held in Downtown Vancouver on Thursday, although it looked different from years past due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials asked residents to “remember in place” at home and watch the public service online to honour Canada’s veterans and to mark the 76th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.A modified ceremony took place at Vancouver’s Victory Square.
The City of Vancouver reminded everyone that Victory Square was closed, with no public wreath-laying permitted until after 4 p.m.
There was no parade or screens for viewing the ceremony on site. Only official wreaths were placed at Victory Square by a limited number of dignitaries invited to attend in person, in order to protect the elderly and health-compromised individuals participating in the commemoration ceremony.
“We have to restrict the numbers to about 50, plus a vigil guard, much like we did last year,” Director of Ceremonies James Stanton told Global News Wednesday.
The ceremony, hosted by anchor Chris Gailus, was broadcast on Global BC, and can be viewed in full on the Global BC Facebook page.
A choir sang White Cliffs of Dover, wreaths were laid and the mother of a soldier who passed away a few years ago and received the Silver Cross laid a wreath in his honour.
This year a familiar face was also missing from the ceremony.
Longtime and former master of ceremonies, Cam Cathcart, passed away earlier this year.
He was honoured during the ceremony Thursday for his work and dedication over the years.
Stanton said he wants everyone to remember the goal of this event is respect.
“These men and women gave all,” he said. “The price of freedom is not free and just remember this – in 1939 Canada was a small nation, eight million people. A million men and women answered the call, went overseas. Roughly 40,000 are still left, the average age is 94. We need to honour them.”
He added since then, thousands of men and women have taken part in conflict and peacekeeping missions around the world.
This ceremony was about them as well.
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