While the winter storm bearing down on southern Manitoba had little impact on Remembrance Day services Thursday, the health orders around public gatherings did keep things restricted.
Numerous legions in Manitoba held services, many of them with strict capacity limits of 50 per cent or less with proof of vaccination.
Some, like the Transcona Legion, didn’t hold a ceremony, but instead held a Veterans Week with smaller displays and activities.
The RBC Convention Centre ceremony, usually the largest in Manitoba, was once again cancelled due to COVID-19.
However, the HMCS Chippawa held a ceremony for their active members and streamed the services online.
There was also a small ceremony at Brookside Cemetery.
It was just the second year an outdoor ceremony has been held at the cemetery, which is believed to be one of the largest – if not the largest – military cemeteries in Canada.
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The St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg organized the event to make up for the lack of pandemic-friendly events.
“We did it last year because there were no inside ceremonies,” the society’s Dwight MacAulay said. “Judging by the success we had here today, I think we’re going to look at doing this on an annual basis.”
Verna-Dawn Arndt attended the ceremony and said she was happy to see the dozens of people who showed up.
Her father and step father both fought in the Second World War.
“I find it very important to remember those that have served, they’ve given so much so that we can enjoy the freedom that we have,” Arndt said.
Samantha Dueck drove in from Niverville to attend the event with her kids.
She said has been making a point of finding in-person Remembrance Day events.
“It’s very important for me to teach my kids to remember those that gave their lives,” Dueck said.