Remembrance Day 2021: Lower Mainland ceremonies

People in Vancouver and across the entire Lower Mainland will pause on Remembrance Day honour those who served and sacrificed their lives for their country.

The majority of the ceremonies will be held virtually this year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are some events open to in-person attendance.

Last week, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry advised those who choose to attend a small outdoor ceremony to do so cautiously.

“There can be small outdoor ceremonies, although I will say to people, ‘Be aware,’” she said. “Older people, particularly the vets that we know, are in that older category — we need to make sure it’s safe for them.”

Of the few events that are open to the public, most are by invitation only or require pre-registration to secure one of the limited number of spaces available.

Vancouver

Victory Square

A ceremony is planned for Vancouver’s Victory Square on Remembrance Day, but it will not be open to the public. It will be streamed online starting 10:30 a.m.

Only official wreaths will be placed by a limited number of dignitaries, who will be invited to attend in person.

UBC War Memorial Gymnasium

UBC is hosting one of the only in-person Remembrance Day events in the Lower Mainland that’s open to members of the public.

The event takes place at the War Memorial Gymnasium (6081 University Blvd), with doors opening at 10 a.m. The ceremony begins at 10:45 a.m.

Due to COVID-19, there will be a limited number of seats available and you are asked to pre-register if you would like to attend. Proof of vaccination and masks are required, and other public health protocols will be in place.

The Vancouver event will also be live streamed online.

It will be the 71st year the university has hosted a Remembrance Day ceremony.

Surrey

There will be a small group of people with the Cloverdale Legion laying wreaths in a private ceremony to commemorate Remembrance Day.

The public is not invited to attend the event in person and is instead encouraged to watch it online on the Heritage Surrey Facebook page or the City of Surrey Facebook page.

The City of Surrey is encouraging you to wear a poppy and place one in the window of your home. You can share a photo of it on social media with the hashtag #RememberInPlace

Abbotsford

Abbotsford’s Remembrance Day ceremony is going to be available to the public online. It is scheduled to run from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 11.

The city is also urging people to show their respect by wearing a poppy and placing a picture of a poppy in their window.

Burnaby

The City of Burnaby is asking everyone to “Remember in Place” by finding a moment for quiet reflection, wherever they are. Residents are encouraged to observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m.

The two Legions in the city may hold private ceremonies, but they will not be open to the public.

Chilliwack

There are no formal processions this year. The City of Chilliwack advises you to watch a live-streamed ceremony at home.

You are also encouraged to buy and wear a poppy, print a picture of one and place it in your window, and take part in a moment of silence at home.

Those who would like to visit the cenotaphs are asked to do so in the afternoon in order to allow Legion members to hold private ceremonies safely.

Related article: Honour veterans safely this Remembrance Day, says B.C.’s top doctor

Coquitlam

A Remembrance Day ceremony will be held, but given COVID-19, it is only open to those who receive an invitation.

You are encouraged to show respect in other ways in the days leading up to Nov. 11:

Poppy Painting Along Veteran’s Way: Stop by Blue Mountain Park (975 King Albert Ave.) to paint a poppy on the grass along Veteran’s Way as part of a temporary display. View the schedule.

Messages of Remembrance: Write a message of remembrance and tie it to a tree with yellow ribbon along Veteran’s Way in Blue Mountain Park. The messages will be kept on the trees until Nov. 18. They will then be transcribed and forwarded to Canadian veteran groups. You can also email your message to be tied to a tree for you.

Place your poppy: Display poppy images throughout the community. Download a printable poppy poster (PDF) to place on your window or somewhere visible to others.

Social: Post a tribute honouring veterans with the hashtag #CoquitlamRemembers.

You can also donate to the poppy drive through a drive-by poppy booth at 1025 Ridgeway Ave. from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 5, 6, and 7. Poppy masks are also available for $10 while supplies last at The Poppy Office between Oct. 29 to Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wreaths ordered from the Coquitlam Legion can be laid at the cenotaph on your behalf. Drop by the branch at 1025 Ridgeway Ave., call 604-937-0111 or email lgchapmanpoppychair@shaw.ca.

On Nov. 11:

• You are encouraged to gather with members of your household for two minutes in silence at 11 a.m. Click here for a silent video you could reflect upon.
• You can also tune in to the federal Remembrance Day ceremony on TV or online.

More options:

• Read about the lives of Coquitlam soldiers in the First World War in the Coquitlam Archives online exhibit “Don’t Forget Your Dadie”: A Coquitlam Family & The First World War. 
• Visit the websites of the Royal Canadian Legion, Veterans Affairs Canada or the Canadian War Museum for articles and information.

 

Delta

A pre-recorded virtual Remembrance Day ceremony will be hosted on the City of Delta’s Facebook page starting at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11.

Langley

Aldergrove Legion

A ceremony will take place at the Aldergrove Legion Cenotaph.

In-person attendance is not allowed, but you can watch the live ceremony online on the Legion branch’s Facebook page.

Fort Langley Remembrance Day Service

Although an in-person ceremony will take place, the general public is discouraged from attending in order to keep veterans and participants safe.

Instead, the public is encouraged to watch a live stream of the service from home. Click here for the broadcast, which is scheduled to start at 10:15 a.m.

There will be no public access at the cenotaph until after 12 p.m. for laying of wreaths and poppies.

Murrayville Cenotaph Remembrance Day Ceremony

A ceremony will be streamed live online starting at 10:30 a.m.

Note: The above link will take you to a history of Remembrance Day at the Murrayville Cemetery. On Nov. 11, it should take you to the live stream.

Maple Ridge

An invitation-only event is taking place at the Maple Ridge Legion headquarters.

Should you decide to visit the cenotaph at Memorial Peace Park, you are asked to practice physical distancing, wear a mask, and limit your time there. City staff will be there from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help.

Wreaths will be removed by noon the next day.

You are encouraged to post your tributes on social media using the hashtag #RememberInPlace

Mission

The Legion in Mission is hosting a small ceremony at 32627 Logan Avenue.

The public is allowed to attend the outdoor part of the event, which starts at 10:50 a.m.

A small gathering will be held inside the Legion afterwards, with only 50 people allowed in.

New Westminster

New Westminster is hosting another virtual ceremony. The live streams on the city’s YouTube and Facebook pages begin at 10:30 a.m. They can also be viewed at a later time.

The virtual ceremony will include poetry readings, a memorial address, two minutes of silence, and the wreath ceremony.

You are asked to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m.

Leading up to Remembrance Day, you’re encouraged to wear a poppy, pick up a free poppy craft kit, and take part in a variety of activities online.

Watch: The City of New Westminster’s 2020 Remembrance Day ceremony

North Vancouver

In North Vancouver, The North Shore Veterans Council will hold a private, invite-only Remembrance Day ceremony at the Victoria Park Cenotaph. You will be able to see the private ceremony via a live stream.

You are encouraged to “Remember in Place” at home and avoid visiting the cenotaph on Nov. 11. You are welcome to lay a wreath before or after Remembrance Day.

Related article: Connecting through collecting: North Vancouver legion gets creative to raise funds

Pitt Meadows

The Legion will not be hosting a Remembrance Day ceremony. People in Pitt Meadows are encouraged to honour the day from home.

Poppies can be purchased by donation from Pitt Meadows City Hall.

If you would like to lay a wreath at the cenotaph on Nov. 11, you are asked to ensure it is picked up before dusk that day.

Port Coquitlam

Residents are encouraged to honour war veterans from home, as there will not be any Remembrance Day service or parade.

The City of Port Coquitlam is urging to pause for two minutes of silence on Nov. 11.

The city encourage you to buy a poppy by donation from City Hall and wear it up to and on Remembrance Day. You can print a picture of a poppy and display it in the window of your home or business.

You can also purchase a wreath to be placed at the cenotaph by Legion members. They can be ordered online. Proceeds support Canada’s veterans and their families.

Port Moody

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no in-person event or parade. No dedicated virtual event for the community has been announced.

Richmond

People in Richmond are asked to “Remember in Place” and take part virtually via a service broadcast online. The live stream begins at 10:30 a.m. and will include two minutes of silence at 11 a.m.

You are asked not to gather at City Hall. However, you are invited to download and display a poster of a poppy design. Poppy pins will be available by donation from local businesses and at community facilities.

Ahead of Remembrance Day, you can visit the Richmond Museum on Facebook and Instagram, and Friends of the Richmond Archives on Facebook.

West Vancouver

There will be no public Remembrance Day ceremony in West Vancouver. Instead, you can watch a pre-recorded ceremony online:

The West Vancouver Memorial Library will be open on Nov. 11 from noon to 5 p.m. There will be Remembrance Day displays and video screenings of interviews with veterans.

You can also view Research to Remember interviews online. The initiative documents the experiences of fallen soldiers and others who served during the wars. Craft supplies will be available in the Youth Department for kids and families to make Valentine’s Day cards for veteran living in long-term care facilities across Canada.

White Rock

An in-person Remembrance Day ceremony will take place at White Rock City Hall starting at 10:45 a.m. A flyover salute will take place at 11 a.m.

Masks are recommended and organizers are asking attendees to practice physical distancing. If you are unwell, you are asked to stay home.

There will be no Remembrance Day parade.