Richmond residents to gather at cenotaph for Nov. 11 Remembrance Day ceremony

Richmond will remember those who died in service to their country and honour those who continue to serve in Canada’s military. This year’s ceremony is set for Wednesday, Nov. 11, following the deaths of four Canadian soldiers during a training exercise in Wainwright, Alta., on Oct. 17. They included Pte. Aidan Goulding of North Vancouver and Pte. Hayden Lykkenmark of Langley.

The parade starts at 10:20 a.m. and will include Canadian veterans, members of the Royal Canadian Legion and Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada, Richmond’s permanent Canadian Forces Unit 39 Service Battalion, public safety representatives and cadet organizations. The ceremony at the cenotaph by city hall begins at 10:40 a.m. Two minutes of silence will be held at 11 a.m., followed by wreath-laying.

The annual 11 a.m. commemoration on the 11th day of the 11th month marks the signing of the First World War Armistice in 1918.

Road closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on No. 3 Road between Park and Bennett roads, and on Granville Avenue between Minoru Boulevard and Buswell Street. Attendees are asked to leave pets at home.

Those unable to attend can watch the ceremony live at http://www.richmond.ca/remember by selecting the “Watch Ceremony” button. A recording will also be available afterward.

After the ceremony, the public is invited into Richmond City Hall for a Remembrance Day reception with hot drinks, a chance to connect with community members and volunteers, and time to reflect on the day’s significance. Remembrance Day displays will be presented by the Richmond Museum, the City of Richmond Archives and the Friends of the Richmond Archives.