Remembrance Day is around the corner, and we are proudly wearing our poppies at Afterglow. While the 11th falls on a weekday this year, we hope you take a moment to remember, even if you can’t make it to the ceremonies.
War is a hard subject to teach kids. It’s even a hard subject for adults to understand. War feels like something that happens in far away places and doesn’t affect us personally. Yet, with the recent tragedies in Ottawa, we see how scary and close to home violence can be.
Wearing a poppy is a tradition which dates back to World War I, and was inspired by the famous poem, “In Flanders Fields” written by Guelph’s John McRae. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I which changed the world forever. Canadian forces continue to be active in conflict zones around the world.
We have so much to be thankful for living in Canada. So thanks to all the soldiers past, present and future. May we never forget.
Local Ceremonies on Tuesday, November 11th:
Waterloo — Royal Canadian Legion branch 530: parade leaves the Regina Street hall at 10 a.m., and marches to the Waterloo cenotaph for a 10:15 a.m. ceremony. The parade, which will include members of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, a military band and vehicles, and soldiers in Second World War-era uniforms, will proceed along King and Princess streets.
Kitchener — Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies branch 50: a ceremony will be held at the Kitchener cenotaph, at the corner of Frederick and Duke streets downtown, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Area streets will be closed for the duration of the ceremony. A special Remembrance Day ceremony will be held at Veterans’ Green, a commemorative parkette at the corner of Spadina Road East and Glen Road at 3:30 p.m.
Cambridge (Galt) — Royal Canadian Legion branch 121: parade march will begin at 9:40 a.m. at the legion hall on 4 Veteran’s Way and will continue on to the Galt cenotaph. Wreath laying ceremonies will follow.
Cambridge (Hespeler) — Royal Canadian Legion branch 272: service begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Tannery and Queen street cenotaph, reception to follow at the Schofield Street legion hall.
Cambridge (Preston) — Royal Canadian Legion branch 126: parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the legion hall at Westminster Drive and Margaret Street, and will continue down Westminster Drive to King Street and Argyle Street to the cenotaph. The parade will return along Argyle Street to Duke Street to Westminster Drive.
Wilmot Township — Royal Canadian Legion branch 532 (New Hamburg): parade forms at 10:15 a.m. at Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, 291 Huron St., making a stop at the Huron Street cenotaph before proceeding for an 11 a.m. indoor service at the New Hamburg Arena.
Afterglow. Water, warmth, well-being.