ESTEVAN - With the pandemic still making top headlines worldwide, local Remembrance Day ceremonies are to be held outdoors again this year.
The Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion moved the traditional celebration from the Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) to the cenotaph by the courthouse for the first time in decades last year. And this year they decided to continue with this format to ensure that everyone stays safe while paying tribute to veterans.
Troy LeBlanc, the chairperson for Estevan's Remembrance Day service, also noted that this way all people willing to join, will have an opportunity to do so safely.
The ceremony will be held on Nov. 11 starting at 10:45 a.m.
"It'll be a brief ceremony again. We will have the remembrance and then the wreath-laying. We will also have the last post and just a few dignitaries, not like in the years past, just simply until this pandemic situation is more resolved. This way also everything is open and now we don't have to have somebody designated for verification to enter the building," LeBlanc said.
He added that the legion had everything lined for a more customary service at the ECS this year, but with the COVID-19 numbers increasing and the new mandates that came out, it was decided to proceed with plan B, having the ceremony at the cenotaph with a lower number of dignitaries participating. Besides, last year's ceremony resulted in some positive reactions in the community.
"We had quite a bit of feedback from the people that did attend that they enjoyed the service at the cenotaph. Reminiscent of years gone past when the service used to be held at the cenotaph before we moved it indoors. So it brought back some memories. And we're hoping that next year we will be back at the ECS," said LeBlanc, adding that with the COVID-19 numbers the way they've been, the legion believes outdoor ceremony was the best way to go.
Estevan Mayor Roy Ludwig, Estevan MLA Lori Carr, as well as Estevan Police Service, Estevan RCMP and the Royal Canadian Legion’s Estevan branch members and a few other people are invited to partake in the ceremony.
"The public can stop by but they just have to remain on the outside of the barriers," LeBlanc noted.
People can also have a wreath laid in memory of their loved ones during the ceremony.
"If anyone would like to have a wreath laid in memory of their loved one, they are available for sale at the branch. And the list of all the wreath layers will be in the Mercury as well after the service," LeBlanc said.
Wreaths will be available until the night before Remembrance Day.
