WESTLOCK — Residents from the communities of Jarvie, Clyde, and the Town of Westlock will join thousands of other Canadians as they remember the service and sacrifices of Canada’s war veterans on Remembrance Day, Nov. 11.
In Westlock, this year’s ceremony will be held indoors at Memorial Hall beginning at 10:45 a.m.
“It’s run in conjunction with every other Remembrance Day ceremony held in every town and city in Canada,” said Westlock Legion’s first vice-president Dave Hall. “The memorial is for 11 o’clock in the morning and that’s in keeping with the signing of the armistice at 11 o’clock on Nov. 11, 1918.”
The event will also feature a colour guard consisting of legion members and other participants including the Westlock army cadets and will include a portable cenotaph where wreaths will be laid during the ceremony. Bugler Alex Shabert will be providing music, most notably “Last Post” and “Reveille.”
In Clyde, there will be an outdoor ceremony and wreath laying at the cenotaph on Main Street. Local navy veteran Isaac Berkhoven organizes and leads the event each year, with help from Clyde and District Ag Society members. Unlike years prior to the pandemic, there will be no gathering at the hall after the event.
“We’re going to do the same as last year and have the ceremony right at the cenotaph at 10:45 a.m.,” said Clyde and District Ag Society director, Jim Rau. “(Isaac) said there’s still people that are a little bit cautious about crowding. We used to meet at the hall to have tea and lunch after, but maybe next year we will again.”
Anyone wishing to lay a wreath at the cenotaph is asked to contact Rau at 780-348-5774 prior to Remembrance Day. Those laying wreaths will meet at the Clyde Curling Rink prior to the start of the ceremony and will walk over to the cenotaph. Clyde residents not participating can gather at the cenotaph at 10:45 a.m., noted Rau.
The community of Jarvie will also be hosting an outdoor ceremony at Legion Park, as they have for several years, said coordinator Linda Foster. It will feature two local veterans, RCMP members, and in addition to laying wreaths, will include prayers and service by a local United Church minister and the reading of “In Flanders Fields” by a member of the community.
“We have a service on Remembrance Day at 10:45 a.m. at the Jarvie Cenotaph followed by coffee at the Jarvie Community Centre,” said Foster.
