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Remembrance Day Ceremonies in Kamloops. (Photo via Kamloops Legion)
Remembrance Day ceremonies in Kamloops will return to Riverside Park this year.
Kamloops Legion President Daniel Martin says they’re glad to be able to welcome people back to the park as the last two Remembrance Day ceremonies – 2020 and 2021 – at the Battle Street Cenotaph were invite-only.
“So around 10:30 a.m. people should start gathering or even before if they would like,” Martin said. “The parade will be on its way around 10:45 a.m. because of the two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. on the dot, as usual.
“We also have to say thank you for [the 419 Squadron] as well for coming back this year. We will also have a fly-by around 11:03 a.m..”
In the years before COVID-19, the Kamloops ceremony would be attended by thousands of people, though Martin isn’t sure how many to expect this year.
“I mean in previous years before COVID, it was not unexpected to get 5,000 to 6,000 people but because it has been a couple of years it could be bigger this year, we never know,” Martin added.
“We invite everybody to come down. We’re so glad to be able to do this in person with everybody.”
To help manage the crowds, Martin says there will four bleacher-style stands set up by the city of Kamloops along with about 50 chairs for veterans who are unable to stand during the parade.
Martin says if you want to lay a wreath after the ceremony on Nov. 11 to reach out to the Legion’s Poppy Campaign Office located in Kamloops Square on Seymour Street downtown.
“There are going to be a few people called during the ceremony. As usual, the government of Canada, the City of Kamloops, and such and such, [but] at the end of the ceremony when the parade is marched off, then we’ll call up for the rest,” he said.
Martin said people hoping volunteer should also head to the Poppy Campaign Office, where they’ll be put to work, depends on what the needs are.
“It is extremely important for to thank veterans for their service while also remembering those that served before us and gave their life for this country,” Martin said.
“They keep saying all the time that freedom is not free. Somebody had to pay for that, so its a good day to remember that.”
Poppy Campaign Returns
For the next two weeks, Kamloopsians will be able to donate to the Royal Canadian Legion’s national poppy campaign, which gets underway on Friday, Oct. 28.
Volunteers with poppy boxes will be scattered across the city especially at places like Aberdeen Mall, Northills Mall, and most big box stores and coffee shops.
“I want to thank everybody in Kamloops for the support they gave us every year,” Martin said. “From all the boxes across the country, we finished seventh in funds raised for veterans.”
He also says there will be a few tap boxes around town where you can use your credit or debit cards to donate $2, $5, or $10.
“It worked very well last year and people seemed to like them so they were brought back for a second season,” Martin said.
The Poppy Campaign will run until Remembrance Day.