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November 11 will look different this year

November 11 ceremonies are going to be looking very different this year. The Royal Canadian Legion is discouraging spectators from attending community in-person ceremonies this year due to the ongoing pandemic and the resultant social distancing requirements. The 2020 National Remembrance Ceremony will be conducted live at the National War Memorial on Nov. 11, 2020, in Ottawa, and will be live streamed via the Royal Canadian Legion – National Headquarters Facebook Page .
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Linn Buker, Barriere Legion Poppy Chairman. (Ellen Monteith photo)

November 11 ceremonies are going to be looking very different this year. The Royal Canadian Legion is discouraging spectators from attending community in-person ceremonies this year due to the ongoing pandemic and the resultant social distancing requirements. The 2020 National Remembrance Ceremony will be conducted live at the National War Memorial on Nov. 11, 2020, in Ottawa, and will be live streamed via the Royal Canadian Legion – National Headquarters Facebook Page.

Remembrance Day in Barriere will also be very different this year.The parade to the cenotaph will not be taking place, and there will be no Nov. 11, regular Remembrance Day Service or large gathering inside the Legion building due to the COVID-19 virus.

A press release from Barriere Legion Branch 242 advises, “At 11 a.m. there will be a few wreaths laid outside at the Legion Cenotaph for the different levels of government, for the veterans, and for the fallen soldiers. The bar will then be open after that with a limit of 50 people.”

The Legion Poppy Campaign has also been impacted by COVID-19. The campaign is a large part of the lead up to Nov. 11, and annually raises approximately $20 million dollars to directly support veterans.

“At a time when we have all been isolated for months by the pandemic, ensuring the symbolism of the Legion and community leaders paying homage to our Veterans is more important than ever,” said Danny Martin, national ceremony director back in September as he announced the National Poppy Campaign will be getting underway across Canada on Friday, Oct. 30.

“Those wishing to make a donation to the Poppy Fund in support of veteran’s needs would be greatly appreciated,” says Barriere Legion’s Poppy Chairman, Linn Buker. “Our Poppy Drive will go on as usual selling poppies, pins and bracelets, but they will not be canvassing area businesses this year for donations of wreaths. Our volunteers are welcomed to sell poppies at AG Foods or Interior Savings Credit Union.”

A calendar for Poppy Drive volunteers will be posted at the Legion, and for those who would like to learn more about the Barriere Legion Poppy Drive, or volunteering, please contact Poppy Chairman Linn Buker at 250-672-0109.

If you would like to send a donation to the Poppy Fund mail to: Barriere Legion #242, Poppy Fund, Box 121, Barriere, B.C., V0E 1E0.