Central Albertans looking to honour Canada’s veterans have several options throughout the region to pay their respects.
Red Deer’s main Remembrance Day ceremony is highlighted by the Silver Cross Mother, chosen by the Red Deer Legion to lay a wreath on behalf of all mothers who have lost children in service of their country.
The event gets underway at 10 a.m. when the doors open at the Red Deer Arena, at 4725 43rd St., with the ceremony beginning at about 10:45 a.m.
Many other dignitaries will also lay wreaths in the Arena as part of the service.
“It’s usually packed and if you don’t come at 10 a.m., there’s no room,” said Grant MacKay, a Red Deer Legion member.
After the ceremony, the Red Deer Legion, at 2810 Bremner Ave., opens at noon and everybody is welcome.
A small group of Korean War veterans and some dignitaries will head to the Cenotaph downtown to stand guard and pay their respects after the Arena ceremony.
In Sylvan Lake the ceremony takes place at the Multiplex, 4823 48th St., at 10:30 a.m. Sharon Graham said this year they will have two literary contest winners, Kirsten Joseph and Derek Penman, reading their winning entries.
Afterwards, people are invited to the Legion Branch where the women will put on a lunch and Tim Hortons coffee. At 2 p.m., there is a small march from the Legion to the nearby Cenotaph.
Lacombe’s Remembrance Day service starts early in the morning, at 8:30 a.m., with a pancake breakfast at the Legion, at 5138 49th St., ending at 10:15 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., they will march over to the Lacombe Memorial Centre, at 5214 50th Ave., for the service.
After the service they go back to the Legion for lunch for both children and adults, followed by an afternoon of visiting and a potluck supper.
Olds’ Remembrance Day service takes place at the Olds Senior High School Auditorium, at 4500 50th St., with the hope that people will be seated by 10 a.m., the same time the parade assembles. Immediately following the service, there will be a brief ceremony at the Community Cenotaph.
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com