Remembrance Day events across the Lower Mainland

British Columbians are taking time to honour and remember Canada’s veterans by wearing a poppy, marking a moment in silence, and attending ceremonies for Remembrance Day.

Nov. 11 is a national day of contemplation, with the traditional motto to ‘never forget’ the sacrifices, conflicts, and missions, that people in service have faced, and continue to face.

The Royal Canadian Legion says the “Act of Remembrance is one of the most important ways to honour and thank Veterans for their sacrifices.”

The legion shared this poem as a part of its National Remembrance Day Ceremony program:

“They shall grow not old,
As we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning,
We will remember them.”

Here is a list of Remembrance Day events and parades taking place across the Lower Mainland:

Abbotsford

Where: Thunderbird Memorial Square
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
What: The City of Abbotsford says they are coming together to “pay tribute to, honour, and remember the sacrifices and contributions of those who proudly and courageously served our country in the war, conflict, and in peacekeeping.” The event will include a parade, and then ceremony. 
More details: here

Burnaby

Where: Bennet Street to Nelson Ave., ending at the South Burnaby Cenotaph
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
What: A colourful parade that includes cadets, and the Legion 83 pipe band will make its way from Bennett Street, turn on Nelson Ave., and end at the Cenotaph. After the ceremony, people are also invited to join the legion for drinks and entertainment at the Royal Canadian Legion, South Burnaby Branch 83.
More details: here

Where: Confederation Park
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:30 a.m.
What: “Residents are encouraged to wear a poppy, and take time out of their day to pause, reflect and remember those who served at home and abroad, both in combat and in support operations, sacrificing and risking their lives to protect those in need,” The City of Burnaby said. The parade will begin at the McGill Library, and then make its way to the cenotaph at Confederation Park for a ceremony.
More details: here

Where: Bonsor Park
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:30 a.m.
What: A parade will begin at Fire Hall No. 3 on Marlborough Ave. and then end with a ceremony at the cenotaph at Bonsor Park. “Remembrance Day ceremonies are an important and highly valued tradition in our community, to honour those who have served on our behalf,” the City of Burnaby said. 
More details: here

Chilliwack

Where: Veterans’ Memorial Park, behind the museum on Spadina Avenue and Main Street
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:30 a.m.
What: A Remembrance Day service
More details: here

Where: Cenotaph at All Sappers’ Memorial park at the corner of Keith Wilson Road and Vedder Road
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:30 a.m.
What: A Remembrance Day service
More details: here 

Where: Sto:lo service in the Coqualeetza Longhouse
Time: 10:00 a.m.
What: A Remembrance Day service
More details: here

Coquitlam

Where: Blue Mountain Park
Date: Nov. 1 to 10
Time: Various times
What: Along Veteran’s Way, people are invited to paint the grass with colourful poppies in the days leading up to Remembrance Day.
More details: here

Where: Blue Mountain Park Cenotaph
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:15 a.m.
What: The parade will begin at 10:15 a.m. at the Como Lake Middle School, and then end at the Blue Mountain Park Cenotaph where a ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m.
More details: here

Delta

Where: Memorial Park
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:35 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
What: The ceremony will start with a parade march, followed by two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. It will then conclude with the laying of wreaths.
More details: here

Where: South Delta Baptist Church
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 1:30 p.m.
What: The Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir and the Delta Concert Band will be performing a special concert “commemorating the personal sacrifices for freedom and peace.”
More details: here

City of Langley

Where: Douglas Park Cenotaph
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:50 a.m.
What: “Together, we observe a moment of silence to mark the sacrifice of the many who have fallen in the service of their country, and to acknowledge the courage of those who still serve,” the City of Langley said. People are invited to gather at the park to join in a ceremony that includes the singing of the national anthem, two minutes of silence, and the reading of the poem, In Flanders Field by an RCMP constable. 
More details: here

Township of Langley 

Where: Aldergrove, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 265
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:45 a.m.
What: A procession will start on Old Yale Road and end at the Legion where a ceremony will take place. Afterwards, there will be a luncheon with entertainment throughout the afternoon.
More details: here

Where: Fort Langley Cenotaph
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:15 a.m
What: A ceremony including hymns and poems will take place at the cenotaph 
More details: here

Where: Murrayville Cenotaph
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:20 a.m.
What: A ceremony including hymns and poems will take place at the cenotaph
More details: here

Maple Ridge

Where: Memorial Peace Park
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
What: “We gather to pay our respects to those who have fallen, to those who served, and to those who are serving with our armed forces. It is a very special tradition in our community,” the City of Maple Ridge said about the event. A parade that starts in downtown will end at the cenotaph, where people can gather for a ceremony that includes the singing of the national anthem, reading the names of fallen soldiers who were from Maple Ridge, and laying of the wreaths. 
More details: here

Where: Belcarra Dock
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 9:30 a.m.
What: Hosted by the Port Moody Power and Sail Squadron, the event starts at 9:30 a.m. with music until the official ceremony begins at 10:35 a.m., with two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. After the ceremony, lunch by donation will be provided. 
More details: here

Mission

Where: Royal Canadian Legion Branch 57
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
What: “Veterans’ Week and Remembrance Day is a time to reflect about peace, to honour veterans, and to consider the high costs of war,” Mission Mayor Paul Horn said in a video address. There will be a service at the local Royal Canadian Legion Branch with a paid lunch provided afterwards.
More details: here

New Westminster

Where: City Hall Cenotaph
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:15 a.m.
What: A parade is set to start at 10:15 a.m. at Queens Ave. and 6th Street, and make its way to the cenotaph at City Hall where a ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. 
More details: here

North Vancouver

Where: Victoria Park
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
What: The ceremony marks the 80th Anniversary to Remember the Men of Dieppe, and will commemorate the Canadian solders who died in World War II at the French coastal town of Dieppe.
More details: here

Pitt Meadows

Where: Cenotaph at Spirit Square
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:30
What: At 10:30 a.m., people are invited to come lay a wreath at the cenotaph, before a parade ceremony begins at 10:45 a.m. 
More details: here

Port Coquitlam

Where: Veterans Park
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10 a.m.
What: People are invited to join the Remembrance Day ceremony at Veterans Park that honours those who “served our country during wartime.”
More details: here

Port Moody

Where: Royal Canadian Legion Branch 119
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 10:40 a.m.
What: A parade will make its way around the block of the Legion branch on Kyle Street, Clarke Street, St. John’s Street and Mary Street before a wreath-laying and moment of silence at the branch on Spring Street.
More details: here

Richmond

Where: Richmond City Hall — cenotaph on the east side
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:40 a.m.
What: A ceremony that invites people to come “reflect and remember with the community” will be held at the cenotaph on the east side of Richmond City Hall.
More details: here

Surrey

Where: Evangelist Chapel at Gardens of Gethsemani Catholic Cemetery
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
What: A Remembrance Day Mass service will be held inside the chapel at the cemetery. Participants can also head to Surrey’s Veteran’s Cenotaph for a short ceremony following the service.
More details: here

Vancouver

Where: University of British Columbia – War Memorial Gym
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
What: Held within the university’s War Memorial Gym, students, staff and members of the public can gather to attend a Remembrance Day ceremony.
More details: here

Where: Nelson Street
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 7:30 p.m.
What: The We Sang Our Songs event includes songs and special readings about war and injustice, in a time that is both “haunting and healing.”
More details: here

Where: Christ Church Cathedral
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:15 a.m.
What: People are invited to attend a prayer service that will honour those who died in service. 
More details: here

Where: Japanese Canadian War Memorial in Stanley Park
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:40 a.m.
What: A ceremony will be held at the Japanese Canadian War Memorial in Stanley park, where guests are invited to attend in person or online. However, there will be no reception following the ceremony.

More details: here

West Vancouver

Where: Memorial Arch in Memorial Park
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:45 a.m.
What: “The District of West Vancouver acknowledges and extends our gratitude to the men and women who have served our country in times of war and peace,” the district said. A parade will start at Marine Drive at 18th Street and proceed to the cenotaph at Memorial Park, located between 19th Street and 20th Street, where a ceremony will be held.
More details: here

White Rock

Where: White Rock City Cenotaph
Date: Nov. 11
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.
What: A parade will march starting at Roper Ave. and Johnstone Rd., and end at the White Rocky City Cenotaph where there will be a service, including the laying of wreaths. People are invited to head over to the Branch 008, White Rock building for refreshments and entertainment.
More details: here