What to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | November 8, 2007
This isn’t just another long weekend. Lest we forget, November 11th is about honoring the sacrifices made by so many Canadians. It’s also about reflecting on what kind of world we want to leave for our children, and giving our little ones some perspective on the cost of peace. So we’ve co-opted our regular weekend guide to bring you a list of many of the Remembrance Day ceremonies happening around town.
City of Vancouver’s 89th Annual Remembrance Day Service
Sunday, November 11th, 10 am, The Cenotaph in Victory Square
Starting at 10:10 am with the Bach Youth Choir singing, followed by a parade at 10:30 am and two minutes of silence at 11:00 am this is Vancouver’s largest Remembrance Day event and it can be very crowded. If you’re going with kids it’s best to get there early to secure a good viewing spot, and it’s a good day to take the bus as well. There are also ceremonies at 11 am on the 11th at the following Vancouver Parks – Memorial South Park, Grandview Park Cenotaph and Stanley Park at the Japanese Monument near the Stanley Park Pavilion. For more details visit: vancouver.ca/parks
Granville Island Kids Market Remembrance Day
Sunday, November 11th, 10:45 am, 1496 Cartwright Street
This may be the best event to help kids understand about Remembrance Day, as it’s just for them. A special presentation at 10:45 will be followed by two minutes of silence at 11:00 am.
Remembrance Day in China Town
Sunday, November 11th, Noon, Chinatown Memorial Square (corner of Keefer and Columbia Streets)
The Chinatown memorial recognizes two groups of Chinese who helped to change Canadian history – those who built the railway, and those who fought in the Second World War.
Remembrance Day Flags
Sunday, November 11th, Mountain View Cemetery, 5455 Fraser Street
Mountain View Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 12,000 veterans. In 2004, local resident Kelly Hake started a tradition of putting Canadian flags on the graves in the cemetery’s field of honour. Cemetery staff have picked up the tradition and set out more than 1000 flags for Remembrance Day. It’s a perfect place to go for a walk and talk about what the Canadian flags mean.
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Hi yoyomama,
Thank you SO much for your e-mail today. Yes, lest we forget, this holiday is for honoring those who fought on our behalf to make this such a wonderful country to raise children. Thank you especially for featuring the clip on the tradition started by Kelly Hake at the Mountain View Cemetary. My grandfather, a WW1 veteran, is buried there alongside my grandmother. While I never met either of them, their memories were kept alive by my mother and, as such, they were very much a part of our family. We have visited their gravesite, but did not know about the flag tradition on Remembrance Day. Our family will definitely ensure that ‘Grandfather Campbell’ is also honored with a Canadian flag for his role in keeping our great nation free.