NANAIMO – Normally mid islanders pile around local cenotaphs and into legions to pay tribute to people who served and continue to protect our country in order to preserve the freedoms we enjoy.
Howver, the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically impacted how we can all pay our respects on Wedenesday, November 11, 2020.
The public is asked to stay away from all mid island area cenotaphs on Remembrance Day for safety reasons. In most cases small, private and brief gatherings at local war memorials are taking place.
All Remembrance Day gatherings at legions throughout the mid island region and elsewhere are closed.
In Nanaimo a streamed service will occur on NanaimoNewsNOW beginning at 10:45 a.m. at Dallas Square Park cenotaph.
A vastly scaled down ceremony will take place to comply with a ban on gatherings over 50 people. Wreaths will be laid by dignitaries.
The event will be MC’d by Nanaimo city councillor Ian Thorpe.
A number of road closures will take place in the downtown core for the ceremonies, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The closures will include Front St. between Chapel and Bastion. Along with Chapel St. between Skinner and Church and Commercial St. between Front and Bastion.
In Qualicum Beach a field of crosses are established on the west side of Memorial Ave near the railway tracks, representing local service members from the first and second world wars. The crosses will be taken down after Remembrance Day.
Bowser Legion #211 personnel have arranged a webcast stream of its Remembrance Day ceremony through its Facebook page and website beginning at 10:45 a.m.
On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW
