Remembrance commemorations start Saturday with Legion dinner

November 1, 2018 · 0 Comments

By Brock Weir

Remembrance Week is usually a time for quiet reflection and paying tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for King, Queen and Country. This year, however, is a little bit different – in addition to contemplation there is celebration in the air as Canada marks the 100th anniversary of The Armistice, the formal end of the First World War.
Celebrations and commemorations will take place across Aurora over the coming days, starting this Saturday, November 3 with Walk Through History: A Dinner & Dance to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day. Taking place at the Aurora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, doors open at 5 p.m., with dinner set for 6 p.m. Dinner will be followed by a dance featuring live music courtesy of Soul Benefit.
“Carol Preston [of the Legion] and I haven’t stopped working on this in months,” says Legion President Len Whines. “We have prepared the Walk Through History right from the sinking of the Titanic all the way down.
“The nice thing about it is we’re going to hold a dance afterwards because this is more of a celebration; it is a celebration of The Armistice.”
Commemorations will take on a more poignant tone on Remembrance Day itself: Sunday, November 11.
Ceremonies will begin at the Cenotaph, located at the Aurora Peace Park on Yonge Street, just south of Edward Street, shortly after 10.30 a.m.
Given the fact Remembrance Day itself falls on a Sunday, coupled with the significance of the one hundredth anniversary of the end of what was supposed to be “the war to end all wars,” organizers are anticipating larger-than-usual crowds to turn out and pay their respects to the fallen.
“This year, we have a few different groups, regiments and cadet corps that will be involved,” says Whines on the bodies that will be massing for the traditional parade to the Cenotaph from Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School on Dunning Avenue. “St. Andrew’s College has supplied us a full contingent of uniforms, so it should be bigger this year. Through the service, bells will be rung for every wreath laid and bells will be pealing across the country [to mark the anniversary].”
Following the service, the community is invited back to the Legion (105 Industrial Parkway North) for a lunch reception that will, for the first time, feature live music from the 65-piece St. Andrew’s College band, which, says, Whines, will feature everything from Tipperary to the music of Star Wars.
Tickets for Saturday’s Remembrance Day Dinner are $35 per person and are available through the Legion Bar.