Prince Albert prepares to mark Remembrance Day

Nov 7, 2018 | 6:00 PM

Remembrance Day is approaching and local groups are ready to mark the occasion.

Marie Mathers is taking the lead in organizing Remembrance Day Ceremonies for the Prince Albert Legion. The ceremony will be held at the Prince Albert Armouries. Members of the local army reserve have worked with the legion to help organize the event.

Mathers said this year residents in the city may notice some new activities marking the occasion.

“Every church or building that has bells, they’re to ring them 100 times and five seconds in between each toll and it’s 100 times for the 100 years of freedom we have had,” she said.

The ringing of the bells is planned for sunset and is expected to happen in cities and towns from coast to coast.

Mathers stressed people who plan to attend the ceremony at the armouries should make sure to get to the building on time. Mathers recommended people get to their seats at 10:30 a.m.

“The marching in of (the) parade will be at 10:45 a.m. and everything is going to be on time, there is no waiting for this or that,” she said.

After the parade entry those in attendance will mark a moment of silence at 11 a.m. Along with the ceremony at the armouries there will as well be a wreath laying at the cenotaph. The legion will also be welcoming people for breakfast and lunch. The evening will cap off with dinner and a dance at the Army and Navy club.

This is the second year where Mathers assisted in organizing Remembrance Day ceremonies on behalf of the local legion. She said members of the local reserve unit have played a major role in helping get everything in place.  

“The reservists have been very cooperative. I am thankful I have them to give me a hand,” she said.

The ceremonies planned for the armouries are not the only place where people can mark the occasion. The Salvation Army will too be taking time during services on Sunday to remember.

“We wanted to provide an opportunity for those who attend The Salvation Army church to participate in a remembrance service without having to miss out on the opportunity to attend Sunday worship,” Capt. Laura Van Schaick said.

The service at The Salvation Army will start at 10:55 a.m. before the moment of silence at 11 a.m. Van Schaick said the organization has strong historical connections to the country’s armed forces and always marks what they call Remembrance Sunday in some way.

“The Salvation Army has a strong history of participating with the armed forces in both world wars, really, supporting the troops in whatever way we can,” she said.

Looking forward to the ceremony at the armouries, Mathers hopes they draw over 1,000 people to the building on Nov. 11. Overall she said what is most important is that people make sure to take time to remember.

“As long as they take time to remember and be thankful for the freedom that was given to us by the blood that was shed,” she said.

 

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn