COVID-19 has cast its influence on Remembrance Day Services for November 11, 2020. Regardless of the regulations brought by public health officials to prevent the spread of the virus, we must take the time to remember our veterans on the 11th month, the 11th day and the 11th hour just as we did every other year before COVID-19's arrival.
In a letter dated August 2020, the Legion Dominion Command said 鈥淭he importance of a live 小蓝视频 honouring our veterans and their sacrifices is considered paramount by the Legion, especially during the 75th anniversary of the Second World War.鈥�
The 2020 National Remembrance Day Ceremony will be performed live at the National War Memorial on Nov. 11, 2020.
However, the Legion Dominion Command recommended branches of local Royal Canadian Legions across the country to follow provincial and federal directions on the limits of outside and indoor gatherings. Two-metre distances were ruled as necessary at all events in Canada. Cadets and Juniors were prohibited from attending ceremonies anywhere in the country.
This year, even members of the Canadian Armed Forces received limitations on the numbers of personnel allowed to drill together, including during national parades honouring the veterans on Remembrance Day.
On this note, there won鈥檛 be any CAF or veteran parades for Remembrance Day 2020, which is tragic.
The alterations to this year鈥檚 Remembrance Day are unhappy ones, yet these regulations are important to follow as a second wave of the virus has appeared in different parts of Canada since the late summer and early fall.
The National Remembrance Day Ceremony is planned to be stripped down to four armed sentries and one sentinel (Nursing Sister) at the National Monument. There鈥檒l be a trumpeter to play the lament, but the 2020 Colour Party will be reduced to the Canadian, Legion, Union Jack, Red Ensign, NATO and UN flags. A Vice Regal Party will stand in front to face the memorial with wreaths.
There will be wreath bearers at the national service in Ottawa and the media are invited too, but there won鈥檛 be any spectators at this year鈥檚 Remembrance Day Services in Ottawa.聽
For the 2020 Remembrance Ceremony, wreath bearers across Canada were asked to preplace their wreaths at their respective monuments and cenotaphs or leave them after the ceremonies concluded.
In a sad but hopeful conclusion, the letter from the Legion Dominion Command read: 鈥淭he modifications we as Legionnaires will experience in our planning and conduct of a Remembrance Day Ceremony are difficult, but not insurmountable. Following the local area restrictions imposed due to the pandemic needs to be paramount in concern of the safety of all involved. However, with a reduction in people at the 小蓝视频 location, be it the National Memorial or your local cenotaph, (鈥�) an adjustment in the format will allow us to honour our veterans and the sacrifices made regardless of the pandemic.鈥�
Signed, DEC, Provincial Executive Directors of all Royal Canadian Legion Branches.
In previous years, the venue for Assiniboia鈥檚 Remembrance Day Services in Assiniboia has usually been St. George鈥檚 Parish Hall.
Since July 28, 2020, indoor and outdoor gatherings in Saskatchewan had a maximum of 30 people, providing a two-metre separation could be sustained at all times between individuals who weren鈥檛 in the same household.
The 2020 Remembrance Ceremony in town will be held at the cenotaph outside of the Asaskan Complex starting at 10:30-45 a.m. on November 11 with a limited number of people allowed to attend.
Because the wreaths will either 小蓝视频 preplaced or left after the 小蓝视频, this year鈥檚 gathering held at the cenotaph located near the Assiniboia Town Office will also be much shorter than in preceding years.
The limitations on outdoor and indoor gatherings, along with social distancing measures, have transformed important annual events across Canada, including Remembrance Day.
Regardless of the 2020 pandemic, Canadians shouldn鈥檛 forget to show their respect for our veterans this year on November 11 as in times past, but public safety must be kept in mind too.
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