The City of Warman’s Remembrance Day service at the Legends Centre on Thursday, November 11 will be limited to 200 people, including speakers, colour party and invited guests.
The general public is invited to log on to the City of Warman website or facebook page to watch the ceremony online.
Warman Recreation and Community Events Coordinator Coralie Bueckert said the ceremony is a “mix of in-person and virtual options” this year.
“Because of the ongoing public health restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we aren’t able to open everything up,” said Bueckert. “It’s unfortunate, because the ceremony is normally very well-attended.
“In past years, we’ve had the main level packed to capacity, with standing room only, and the upper bleachers were all full as well.”
The seating capacity of the Legends auditorium will be limited to 200 people for the ceremony, she said.
“The only people we’re able to accommodate are the speakers, the colour party and one or two members of their immediate family; as well as veterans, current military personnel and their immediate household family members. We will also have invited family members of area veterans who have passed away.”
Bueckert said all those attending the ceremony in person will need to be fully-vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test, as outlined in the provincial public health order.
“Members of the general public who want to watch the ceremony are invited to go online,” said Bueckert. “They can log onto the City of Warman website and click on the ‘Remembrance Day service’ link to watch the live-streamed video.”
The ceremony is slated to begin at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 11.
Bueckert said this is the second year for the hybrid ceremony.
“It worked very well last year,” she said. “We’re following the same format.”
Pastor Peter Knelson of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Warman will be the main speaker.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the colour party will lay a single wreath at the outdoor cenotaph at the south end of the Legends Centre parking lot. The cenotaph includes the names of veterans from the area who served in World War I, World War II and the Korean War.
Bueckert said while it’s important to remember the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in those wars, Remembrance Day also pays tribute to veterans of more recent conflicts, and to those who served on peacekeeping missions around the world.
“I think people recognize the relevance of Remembrance Day,” said Bueckert. “The theme for this year’s service is Afghanistan, and Canada’s combat mission in 2011.
“That’s just ten short years ago.
“It’s definitely in the forefront of people’s minds.”