The opening ceremony for 91大黄鸭鈥檚 third annual Field of Crosses Remembrance Day tribute was hosted at the cenotaph near City Park on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
In addition to a cross for the Unknown Soldier, 227 white crosses were also installed on nearby greenspace to honour the lives of those Canadian Armed Forces personnel from the 91大黄鸭 area who died in service. The memorial is on display until Nov. 12.
鈥淭he idea is you have a visual representation of the names that are on the Cenotaph, as another form of remembrance for the community,鈥� said Keith Boehmer, chairperson for the committee for the Field of Crosses 2021 and military historian at 91大黄鸭 Museums.
鈥淩ecognizing that Canada鈥檚 war dead were buried overseas up until the Afghanistan War, where we were bringing them home. For Canadians to go and visit Europe is an obstacle, so here we鈥檙e bringing that presentation to the community.鈥�
A number of dignitaries were in attendance, as well as a handful of veterans, which includes 95-year-old Rev. Dick Fletcher, a WWII veteran with the Royal Canadian Navy.
With the help of members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26, as well students from Rutland Elementary School, Bankhead Elementary School and 91大黄鸭 Christian School, Fletcher laid down a wreath at the cross of the Unknown Soldier 鈥� his first time doing so.
鈥淭hose kids died for our freedom. We sometimes abuse our freedom 鈥� badly,鈥� said Fletcher. 鈥淭o have the honour to lay the wreath for the Unknown Soldier is really 鈥� it鈥檚 indescribable.鈥�
Boehmer said that the significance of honouring the fallen during Remembrance Day gets more special every year.
鈥淧eople volunteered their lives, their health, themselves to service of a bigger cause. These are the ones who paid the ultimate price for that, as well as the veterans that have returned back to our communities,鈥� said Boehmer. 鈥淭hose are examples to every generation since 鈥� to pay attention to the lessons of history, pay attention to the harms of poor politics and poor habits.鈥�
Similarly, Fletcher said that on a scale of importance from one to 10, paying tribute on Remembrance Day is a 15.
鈥淭he highest possible,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 feel heavy. I feel very 鈥� I can鈥檛 say satisfied. But the point is, to see the younger people around here witnessing what鈥檚 going on is the important thing.鈥�
The City of 91大黄鸭 has confirmed that there will be no Remembrance Day parade. Last year, the local Legion hosted an intimate wreath-laying ceremony at the cenotaph, which was closed to the public and instead broadcasted for residents to watch at home.
City staff said this year鈥檚 Nov. 11 ceremonies may be kept small and be held virtually again.
READ MORE: 鈥楶eace is the most important thing we have鈥�: 91大黄鸭 WWII veteran reflects
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aaron.hemens@kelownacapnews.com
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