WELLINGTON COUNTY – Remembrance services will be held throughout the county, both on and leading up to Nov. 11.
Aberfoyle
The Puslinch Optimist Club is once again organizing the ceremony for Remembrance Day this year.
Events get underway at the Puslinch Community Centre in Aberfoyle at 10:30am on Nov. 11, and there’s often a short processional from the building to the cenotaph on the grounds in time for the 11am minute of silence.
It’s a non-denominational service with many churches participating.
The Optimist Club also holds a dinner each year to honour area veterans. Cadets are invited to help serve the meal and to hear first hand accounts from the veterans.
Arthur
The Arthur Legion will honour those who have served in Canada’s military with a service at the local cenotaph on Nov. 11 at 11am.
A parade including Legion members, cadets, emergency services personnel and local dignitaries will precede the service, with the parade forming at the Legion at 10:40am
The Legion will host its Remembrance dinner on Nov. 9 at 7pm in the upstairs hall of the Arthur Legion. People must reserve tickets in advance by calling 519-848-2622.
Belwood
On Nov. 10, the Fergus Legion will host a Remembrance service at the Belwood cenotaph at noon.
Clifford
In Clifford on Nov. 10 at 2pm a ceremony will be held at the cenotaph by the Harriston Legion Branch 296, for those who want to remember those who have fallen.
The cenotaph is located at 8 Clarke Street North in Clifford.
Drayton
Drayton Legion, Branch 416 will be holding a Remembrance Day ceremony at the Drayton Memorial Park and Cenotaph (45 Wellington St. N.).
At 2pm on Nov. 11, a parade will make its way from the Legion to the Cenotaph. The ceremony is set to begin at 2:15pm.
Refreshments will be served at the Legion after the ceremony.
Elora
Elora Legion Branch 229 will participate in a service in Elmira on Nov. 10 and the Elmira Legion will join in Elora’s service on Nov. 11 at 10:45am at the Elora cenotaph.
Also on Nov. 11, the Elora Legion is hosting a veteran’s dinner. Reception at 5pm and dinner at 6pm.
Erin
Erin Legion Branch 442 (12 Dundas Street East) will be hosting a Remembrance Dinner on Nov. 9. Doors will open at 5:30pm for cocktails with dinner at 6pm.
On Nov. 10 the Legion will be hosting a cenotaph service at 10:45am with a parade back to the legion at 11:30am. A light lunch after the service with the veterans and legion members will be included after the parade.
On Nov. 11 at 10:45am the legion will host another ceremony at the Erin Cenotaph. with no events following the service.
Fergus
On Nov. 9 Legion members will take part in the opening ceremonies for the Mustang Girls Remembrance Day Classic hockey tournament, at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex at 11am.
On Nov. 10 the Legion hosts a Remembrance dinner at the Legion Hall. Reception at 5:30pm; dinner at 6:30pm.
On Nov. 11 the Remembrance Day parade departs the Legion at 10:45am and marches to cenotaph for 11am service. The public is encouraged to attend. In the event of very bad weather, the service will be held in Legion hall.
Guelph
The Guelph Legion will be hosting three events on Nov. 11:
- a service at McCrae Gardens (108 Water Street) at 8:55am that invites attendees to reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans;
- service at the Sleeman Centre (50 Woolwich Street) at 10:15am (be seated by 10am to ensure a prompt start); and
- parade at 12:10pm, which will proceed along Woolwich Street to the cenotaph and then to the Armories on Wyndham Street (a fly-past will take place, weather permitting).
Harriston
The Harriston Legion will be holding a ceremony on Nov. 11 at 11am at the Harriston cenotaph on Elora Street.
Mount Forest
Members of the Mount Forest Legion have two services planned to mark Remembrance Day; though, one happens the day before.
The Legion will hold a service on Nov. 10 at 2pm at the cenotaph in Holstein, in Southgate Township.
The main service will take place on Nov. 11 in Mount Forest, with a parade starting at 10:40am, making its way from Parkside Drive along Highway 6 to the Cenotaph.
Legion members, local dignitaries, and current military service members from Camp Borden are expected to take part.
Highway 6 is expected to be closed between 10:40 and 11:30am for the event.
Palmerston
On Nov. 11 the Palmerston Legion will be leaving the Legion at 10:30 am with a parade marching to the cenotaph (located next to the Wellington County Library branch). After the ceremony the parade will walk back to the Legion for a lunch around noon.
That same day the Legion will be hosting a Remembrance Day supper at 6pm. Tickets can be purchased at the Palmerston Legion.
Palmerston Knox Presbyterian Church will be holding a service of remembrance on Nov. 10 at 10am.
Rockwood
Local elementary school students and member of the community will gather together to honour the contributions of veterans in a Remembrance Day service in the village on Nov. 11.
The service begins at 10:55am and will be preceded by a parade. People wishing to join are asked to assemble at the Rockwood Post Office on Guelph Street between 10:30 and 10:40am.
Following the service, attendees are invited to gather for refreshments at St. John’s Anglican Church.
Salem
Elora Legion Branch 229 will host a Remembrance Day service in Salem on Nov. 11 at 9:30am at the Salem cenotaph.
The Salem ceremony remembers soldiers from Salem and the Township of Nichol who served and some who died while serving.
Museum candlelight service
The County of Wellington is once again honouring people from the county who have died in conflicts with a display of memorial markers on the lawn of the Wellington County Museum and Archives.
More than 500 memorial markers have been placed on the lawn commemorating the contributions of those who died in conflicts from the First World War to Afghanistan.
On Nov. 10 at 5:30pm, people are invited to place candles in tribute on each of the memorial markers.
“This informal and poignant tribute takes place at dusk on Nov. 10 and the candles will remain lit until Nov. 12,” the event announcement reads.
Candles are provided and everyone is welcome.
