Details of Sylvan Lake’s annual Remembrance Day service at the Multiplex have been confirmed, and organizers are hoping for another solid attendance at this year’s event.
“I would anticipate with some of the (recent) global and national events, that likely there’s going to be a greater attendance than we have seen, although Sylvan Lake always does have a very excellent turnout,” said Gordon Graham, Sylvan Lake Royal Canadian Legion first vice president and sergeant-at-arms.
A parade march will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 11, and organizers are encouraging attendees to secure their seats by no later than 10 a.m. The service will run until around 11:30 a.m., after which time the Sylvan Lake Legion will open its doors to the community.
A smaller parade march will precede a wreath laying ceremony at 2 p.m. at the Memorial Park cenotaph. There, wreaths will be laid by local elected officials.
The morning parade will be led by a colour party and a bagpiper, and will comprise marchers representing “the past, the present and the future,” according to Graham.
The service has attracted up to 1,100 attendees in recent years, and still has room for more, he said.
“There’s still room for expansion in there, and the folks in this area certainly do recognize the contribution that has been made by their veterans. They certainly are supportive.”
A number of remembrance events will take place in the days leading up to the service, with ceremonies taking place in most area schools today (Thursday, Nov. 6).
Also taking place today is a complimentary luncheon for veterans and their spouses. That will begin around noon at the Sylvan Lake Legion. Neither veterans nor their spouses need to be Legion members in order to attend.
The Legion’s Poppy Campaign is well underway, and will see a Poppy Blitz held at businesses throughout town Saturday (Nov. 8). Teams of volunteers will be out from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. selling poppies, while poppy trays will remain in their usual locations as well.
Poppies have been made available to students of area schools at no charge. Uniformed veterans and Legion members will take part in the schools’ remembrance ceremonies.
Volunteers are required for the Poppy Campaign to help canvass donations and replace and refill poppy trays. Information on how to get involved is available by calling the Legion at 403-887-2601. Proceeds raised through the campaign benefit veterans and their families.