In Timmins, the second Remembrance Day ceremony of the pandemic will resemble the one last November 11th.
Sergeant-at-Arms Andréa Villeneuve of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 88 says it will be similar to last year, with no march, and everyone gathering at the cenotaph for 11:00am.
“Our requirements will still be while we are out there, we all will be wearing masks, even though we’re outdoors,” she notes. “So during the ceremony, masks will be worn by all of us.”
Some guests will lay what Villeneuve calls “major wreaths”, with the rest being laid by Legionnaires.
Last year, the public was asked to stay away, but several people were there anyway. Villeneuve remarks that it was wonderful, because everyone maintained physical distancing. She says there’s nothing wrong with wanting to pay respects to military veterans.
“Even if I wasn’t part of the ceremony, I would be there. Absolutely. I think it’s so important that we do come out to respect those that have served and are serving today.”