Each year, Squamish holds two Remembrance Day services beginning with the church parade into St. John's Anglican Church by members of the Royal Canadian Legion on Sunday (Nov. 7) at 10 a.m. They will be greeted by Reverend Wendy Eyre-Gray, the Legion Padre.
Then, on Nov. 11 starting at 10:30 a.m., the Royal Canadian Legion Diamond Head Branch #277 organizes its annual service at the auditorium at Brennan Park Recreation Centre, which is expected to be filled to capacity as the community gathers to remember those who gave their lives to protect our freedom. And to also remember those young men and women who are serving in Afghanistan today.
Sgt. at Arms Ryan Pederson will lead the Black Tusk Caledonia Pipe Band and Royal Canadian Legion members into the auditorium. Also on parade will be RCMP members, Royal Canadian Air Cadets, ambulance personnel, firefighters, and girls and boys from the Scout and Guide movement.
This year, the guest speaker at the Remembrance service will be MLA Joan McIntyre.
Rev. Wendy Eyre-Gray will participate along with other clergy and the United Church choir will lead the singing. Flight Sgt. Cheyenne Smith of the Air Cadets was awarded the Medal of Excellence in 2010 and she will be reciting the well-loved poem, In Flanders Field.
Mamquam Elementary School student Sara Bowers will be reading her provincial award-winning poem.
The Sea to Sky Singers and the Squamish Youth Choir will also participate. Following the service, the annual Wreath Laying Service will be held at the Cenotaph on Cleveland Avenue.
A Remembrance Day service open to all residents will also be held at Totem Hall on Nov. 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
It takes place at the Totem hall Cenotaph at 1380 Stawamus Road. Everyone is invited to take drums, flags and wreaths to honour past and present war veterans.
The day includes a traditional Pow-Wow celebration followed by a luncheon for the entire community.
