WELLINGTON COUNTY – There are plenty of Remembrance Day services on offer this year and local Legions welcome everyone to attend – a stark change from the past few years, where in-person attendance was discouraged, and services were pared back to a minimum.
Here’s what’s going on locally.
Wellington County Museum and Archives
To commemorate Remembrance Day, more than 500 memorial markers will be placed on the front lawn of the museum in Aboyne.
Each marker will bear a name, honouring Wellington County’s fallen from the First World War, the Second World War, Korea, and Afghanistan.
The museum is also two events in November. On Nov. 3 at 10:30am, Royal Canadian Legion Members will read the names of each of the fallen from Wellington County at the Remembrance Ceremony. The ceremony will take place outdoors on the front lawn of the Wellington County Museum and Archives, followed by a reception with light refreshments.
On Nov. 10, beginning at 5:30pm, a remembrance candle will be placed at each memorial markers as a tribute to the fallen from Wellington County. Candles will be provided by the museum and will remain lit until Nov. 12, burning throughout Remembrance Day, Nov. 11.
Salem and Elora
The Elora Legion Branch 229 is holding Remembrance Day services on Nov. 11 as usual. The day begins with a service at the Salem cenotaph at 9:30am, followed by a service at the Elora cenotaph at 11am. The Legion will offer light refreshments after the service at the Elora Legion, located at 110 Metcalfe St.
Later that day the Legion will offer a Remembrance Day dinner. Doors open at 5:30pm and dinner begins at 6:30pm. Tickets are $20.
Fergus
The Fergus Legion Branch 275 is also returning to normal Remembrance Day services. A parade leaves the legion at 10:30am and heads to the Fergus cenotaph for 10:45am and the service to follow.
Grade 6 students from nearby schools will also be participating in the service. If weather is bad, the service will be done indoors at the Legion. Check their Facebook page for any last-minute weather changes.
The Fergus Legion is also offering a dinner on Remembrance Day. Tickets are $25 and are available at the Fergus Legion at 500 Blair St.
Belwood
The Fergus Legion is taking part in a Remembrance service in Belwood at noon on Nov. 6. They will be part of a church service at St. John United Church and cross the road to the cenotaph after church for an outdoor service.
Puslinch
The Optimist Club of Puslinch is holding its Remembrance Day service on Nov. 11 as well. This marks a return to normal with Grade 7 and 8 students at Aberfoyle Public School taking part in the service after a three-year hiatus.
People are invited to the Puslinch Community Centre for 10:30am, when there will be poems and readings indoors. Then folks will move outside to the cenotaph to lay wreaths and observe a minute of silence.
Drayton
The Drayton Legion Branch 416 will hold a Remembrance service at 2:30pm on Nov. 11 at the cenotaph in Drayton.
The Legion parade will form up at the Legion at 2:15pm, then proceed along the parade route to the cenotaph for the service.
Palmerston
The Palmerston Legion Frank Lambier Branch 409 will hold its annual Remembrance Day Service at the cenotaph at 11am on Nov. 11.
Legion members will parade from the Palmerston branch, up Legion Drive, west on Main Street, south on William Street, west on Bell Street to the cenotaph. A short ceremony will take place at the cenotaph with a few guest speakers.
“Due to the ages of many of our veterans and the increasing attendance by public school students, the length of the ceremony will be much shorter than in the past.
“We expect the ceremony at the cenotaph to be approximately 30 minutes. We will then parade west on Bell Street, north on James Street, east on Main Street back to the Legion,” Legion officials state.
Everyone is welcome to attend a light lunch at the Legion after the cenotaph service.
A Remembrance Dinner will be held at 6pm. Tickets, can be purchased for $20 at the Legion or by calling 519-343-2004.
Harriston
Harriston Royal Canadian Legion Branch 296 will be holding its annual Remembrance Day services on Nov. 6 (Clifford) and Nov. 11(Harriston).
The 2022 format will be similar to last year with outside services only, although Legion members will be on parade this year, with school children joining in.
Services will be held on Nov. 6 at 2pm in Clifford and Nov.11 at 11am in Harriston. Following the Harriston service, the public is invited to the downstairs of the branch for social time. Refreshments will be available and the Memorabilia Room will be open.
Mount Forest
Mount Forest Legion Branch 134 will hold a Remembrance service on Nov. 6 at the Mount Forest United Church at 11am and a service at Holstein cenotaph at 2pm.
On Nov. 11 at 10:45am a Remembrance Day service starts at Mount Forest cenotaph. There will not be a parade.
Arthur
Arthur Legion Branch 226 will parade from the Legion to the cenotaph for a service on Nov. 11 at 10:45am.
A time of fellowship wil be held at the Legion following the service.
A Roast Beef Dinner will also be held on Nov. 11 at the Legion. Social hour from 6 to 7pm, dinner at 7pm.
Tickets are $15 plate and can be sought by calling 519-842-2622.
Rockwood
A Remembrance service will be held in Rockwood on Nov. 5. Parade participants will assemble at 10:30am at the post office and the parade will proceed to the cenotaph, at the corner of Main Street South and Guelph Street for a service that begins at 10:55am.
Following the service, refreshments will be served at the Church Hall at St. John’s Anglican Church (on Main Street) by the Guelph/Eramosa Fire Department.
Portions of Highway 7 will be closed to vehicular traffic during the parade and service. There will also be temporary road closures on local streets around the cenotaph.
Erin
The Erin Legion Branch 442 is holding two Remembrance services.
The first is Nov. 6 at 10:45am at the cenotaph where an interdenominational service will be held, followed by a parade at 11:15am. Visitors are invited to a light lunch at the Legion afterwards, from noon to 2pm.
On Nov. 11, groups are invited to gather at the Erin cenotaph at 10:45am and a moment of silence will be observed at 11am. A parade will return to the Erin Legion after the service for the planting of a Vimy oak tree.
